IN-04-09-13

INTERACTIVE NETWORK
SB-10052093-1342
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03
From
Parts and Service Division
Subject
(Honda) Counterfeit Airbags – Department of Justice Victim’s Notification
26
2013
Expires on 04
09
2013
To:
All Honda dealers
Attn: Dealer, GM, Svc Manager, Parts Manager
From: Bruce Smith
Subject: Counterfeit Airbags – Department of Justice Victim’s Notification
It has come to the attention of American Honda that the U.S. Department of Justice is in process of contacting persons wh
have “received a counterfeit airbag, an airbag containing a counterfeit part, or a vehicle in which a counterfeit airbag or cou
part was installed.” Persons contacted by the DoJ have been identified as victims during the investigation of a criminal cas
Information is provided them via the Victim Notification System. Additional details may be found at:
http://www.justice.gov/usao/ncw/victimwitness/igorborodin.html
Persons receiving the information package are warned of the dangers of counterfeit airbags. They are advised that if they
purchased “… airbags, airbag parts or salvage title vehicles” from specifically named sources, they should “…immediately
factory-authorized dealer and request an inspection of the airbag to ensure that it is a genuine, factory-authorized automob
Unfortunately, and contrary to the published information, American Honda lacks the ability to assist our dealer’s efforts to p
absolute certainty replacement airbags are or are not counterfeit. Vehicles affected by the counterfeit parts issue will be on
have been previously repaired, likely due to a collision. Rather than conducting a disassembly that will be costly to a consu
will not yield the absolute assurance they expect, American Honda believes a better approach is for the consumer to first d
vehicle history. We will provide all consumers that contact American Honda a guide that can assist them to make the best
possible.
We ask that American Honda dealers refer owners of Honda and Acura vehicles that received the Victim Notification to c
Honda Automobile Customer Service at 1-800-999-1009, and then select option 7.
The NADA has published guidance for their dealers that we believe to be sound advice. We encourage interested dealers
the article titled: NADA Guidance for Responding to Counterfeit Air Bag Questions.
For further information please see:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2012/Safety+Advisory:+NHTSA+Alerting+Consumers+to+Dangers+of+Counterfe
http://collision.honda.com/airbagaware/to-help-determine-if-you-have-a-counterfeit-airbag
© 2000–2013, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
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