Spot Fake Airbags In Your Used Car

The used car industry has found a new way to profit while putting your life in danger, with airbags that look real but won't deploy to save your life.

KIRO Team 7 Investigators expose the latest scam we've uncovered on auto lots all over Western Washington, and we show you how to tell if your used car might have phony or disconnected airbags.

A little paint, glue and sanding, and it appears you have an airbag in your used car.

In reality, the installation of fake airbag covers are a growing and dangerous deception.

Now, our hidden cameras show you how to avoid getting taken advantage of.

Our hidden camera found numerous cars for sale with phony airbag covers, plastic plates that disguise a pocket of nothing.

At lot after lot, we got the same story.

Team 7 Investigators: "Brakes? Everything been checked out?" Salesman: "Yah." Team 7 Investigators: "Airbags? Everything's working?" Salesman: "Yah, yah!"

Before this conversation, we test-drove the car.

Experts from Airbag Service on Mercer Island agreed to meet us nearby for a professional inspection.

"Somebody went to great lengths to make you think there was functional airbags, but they're not," said Mike Lawson of Airbag Service. "This has obviously been deployed."

The car in question is worth thousands of dollars less without the bags, not to mention more dangerous for your family.

"The worst part about this is whoever did this is very talented," Lawson said.

Lawson installs and fixes airbags in used cars the right way: new sensors, computer chips, and manufacturer replacement airbag kits. He says too many other mechanics cut corners.

"Potentially, he could save himself $500 and I think it's more important to him at that point than worrying about somebody's wife or mother or kid. It's sad. It's tragic," Lawson said.

SLIDE SHOWWhat To Look For

How do you tell if the airbags in your used car may be missing or defective?

1.Watch the airbag light on the dash. It should go on for a few seconds every time you turn your key, then fade out. Our undercover investigation discovered the most common way fake airbag installers cover their trail is to remove the dash bulb.

2.Fake airbag covers for steering wheels rarely have the car's logo imprinted on them. Top-notch phonies are molded to fit perfectly, but the color may be mismatched slightly.

3.Look for the acronym SRS or SIR on a passenger-side airbag. If the cover is blank, that could be a warning that the airbag has already deployed in the car, destroying the original panel.

"Once you told me what to look for, I thought, 'Do I have an airbag?' Never thought to check. You assume an airbag is there and it may not be," said Karl Newman, is president of the Washington Insurance Council.

He's dialed into car safety issues, but our finding of widespread missing airbags took him by surprise.

"I think it's a big concern. No question. If someone thinks they have an airbag in their vehicle and it's not there? You're driving around in a much more dangerous environment than you think you are."

For the record, Newman's used car did have its airbag. Does yours?

KIRO Team 7 Investigators: "Brakes? Everything been checked out? Salesman: "Yah." KIRO Team 7 Investigators: "Airbags? Everything's working?" Salesman: "Yah yah!"

A big warning here: Don't pull out the tools or start yanking on your airbag covers.

Before you buy a used car, have a professional check to see if your airbags work.