Please Be Careful Utah When Buying a Used Car

Utah beware! Our love of purchasing used cars could put us in particular danger.

In 2014, Japanese manufacturer Takata initiated the largest recall in U.S. history, affecting over 67 million airbags across various car brands. The culprit? A faulty airbag inflator. These inflators, meant to rapidly inflate airbags during a crash, could explode and send metal shards into the car's cabin, causing severe injuries or even death.

Since then, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported 27 deaths and 400 injuries linked to these defective airbags. By April 2024, 88% of the affected airbags had been repaired or replaced. However, a new warning has emerged about potential dangers lurking in used cars nationwide.

The NHTSA's recent statement cautions drivers and used car buyers about "cheap, substandard replacement airbag inflators" that can cause serious harm in an accident. These dangerous aftermarket parts pose similar risks to those made by Takata nearly a decade ago. Metal fragments from these inflators can be deadly, targeting the chest, neck, eyes, and face of passengers.

In the past year alone, three people have died and two have suffered severe injuries due to these faulty components. These parts often end up in used cars because of their low cost and easy availability online. Even reputable service shops and dealerships have been known to install them, unaware of their dangers. These parts are typically made by foreign manufacturers with questionable quality control.

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According to CarFax, nearly 2 million vehicles with deployed airbags from crashes in the last two years are still on American roads. The dominance of the used-car market in Utah only exacerbates this risk, so please stay informed and vigilant as you consider purchasing and driving a used car.