Local 10 News out of Miami ran a news segment May 4th on counterfeit auto parts and the safety concerns they pose.
The news station gave viewers some tips on how to avoid fake parts:
- Do business only with reputable repair shops or the manufacturer’s dealership repair network
- Stay informed about the sources of parts you are purchasing or are installing
- Beware of “too good to be true” prices
- Use caution when purchasing auto parts on the Internet that are shipped from other countries or are sold at very low prices
Federal regulators and the auto industry are concerned about sophisticated copycats who replicate a manufacturer’s markings so well that customers and even auto part suppliers could be duped into thinking they’re buying the real thing.
A dealership parts manager spoke in the segment, saying a customer came in with an airbag check engine light on. The vehicle has been repaired at a body shop, and it was discovered that not only was the airbag disconnected, but the inner parts where the steering wheel is did not exist and had been hollowed out.
Click here to read the full story and to watch the original news segment.
