USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

PHMSA Safety Advisory Notice: Counterfeit and Substandard Vehicle Safety Devices

Thursday, January 16, 2025

The safety advisory provides notice of the increased circulation of counterfeit and substandard safety devices—e.g., air bag inflators, air bag modules, seatbelt pretensioners, pyromechanical devices, and other supplemental restraint system (SRS) components used inside motor vehicles. Counterfeit parts may contain unapproved explosive devices and construction material and may pose additional transportation risks when compared to equipment manufactured through legitimate means to meet original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications. PHMSA provides caution on purchasing or installing counterfeit and substandard safety devices in any automobiles manufactured or repaired in the United States, as they can cause serious injury or even death in a crash. See the Safety Advisory Notice for full details.