NHTSA Finds One in Five Fatal Crashes Involve Cars with Missing Air Bags
A US safety report highlights the risk to used car buyers and owners after finding that nearly 20% of fatal accidents involve vehicles lacking air bags.
Nearly 20% of fatal car accidents in the United States involve vehicles missing air bags, according to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The finding draws attention to a persistent safety risk, particularly for those buying or driving used cars.
The NHTSA’s analysis indicates that missing air bags are a factor in a significant proportion of fatal accidents. Many of these cases involve vehicles that have previously been in collisions, with air bags either not replaced after deployment or removed during repairs and not reinstalled. According to industry estimates, as many as one in 25 air bags that have deployed are not properly replaced.
Risks for Used Car Buyers and Owners
The issue is most acute in the used car market, where buyers may be unaware that a vehicle’s air bags are missing or non-functional. Unscrupulous sellers may fail to disclose previous deployments or repairs, leaving new owners at risk. Carfax, a company specialising in vehicle history reports, provides a free service to check for reported air bag deployments, but not all incidents are captured in such databases.
- Have an ASE-certified mechanic or body shop check the air bag system before buying a used car.
- Request a vehicle history report to check for previous accidents and air bag deployments.
For current owners whose cars have had air bags replaced, experts recommend confirming that all systems are functioning properly. Air bag fraud not only endangers occupants but can also have legal and insurance implications if a defect is discovered after a crash.
