NHTSA warns about counterfeit airbags - WLTZ 38 | Columbus Georgia Regional News & Community

Washington, DC (CNN) - If you had an airbag replaced in the past three years, you should check it checked.

Federal officials issued a warning today about counterfeit bags.

They say the phony airbags could fail to deploy or even injure people in a crash. One of the fake bags exploded with metal shrapnel during testing.

So far there's been no injuries. But Immigration and Customs Enforcement says it is a dangerous situation.

ICE Director, John Morton says, "These seemingly genuine airbags are, in fact, shoddy fakes that pose a significant safety hazard when installed. These airbags don't work. They aren't going to save you in an accident. They are a fraud and danger from start to finish and you don't want them in your car, period."  

Officials are downplaying the concern a little bit.
They estimate only a small fraction of all cars, estimated at .01-percent contain the counterfeit airbags.