CARFAX: MILLIONS OF U.S. VEHICLES AT RISK OF GETTING COUNTERFEIT AIRBAGS

Core Insights - Nearly 2 million vehicles have returned to U.S. roads after airbag deployments in the last two years, presenting a risk of counterfeit airbags being installed as replacements [6][2] - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns that counterfeit airbags can lead to severe injuries or fatalities in accidents [7][2] - Consumers are encouraged to check vehicle history reports for airbag deployments and ensure that any replacement airbags are genuine [3][7] Group 1: Vehicle Statistics - Texas has the highest number of vehicles back on the road with 206,000, followed by Florida with 106,000 and North Carolina with 100,000 [1] - Ten states have more than 40,000 vehicles that have been involved in airbag deployments [1] Group 2: Consumer Guidance - Consumers can access free Vehicle History Reports on CARFAX.com to check for airbag deployments in used cars [3] - It is recommended that consumers have a trusted mechanic inspect any replacement airbags before purchasing a used vehicle [3][4] - NHTSA emphasizes the importance of verifying the history of a vehicle and ensuring it has genuine airbag inflators to avoid potential risks [7] Group 3: Industry Context - CARFAX, part of S&P Global Mobility, provides vehicle history information and has the largest vehicle history database [8][5] - S&P Global is recognized as a leading provider of credit ratings and analytics in various markets, including automotive [5]