Which item is most often stolen from vehicles in Washington DC? Is it:
- Stereo
- Wheels
- Air Bag
- DVD System
Well, if you said stereo – you used to be right. But airbags have now surpassed stereos as the biggest target for theft in Washington DC – approximately 50,000 a year are stolen across the country. New airbags cost about $1,000, but go for $50 to $200 on the black market in Washington DC.
Is your replacement a stolen airbag?
Stolen airbags are making their way back into cars that have been in an accident. Of course, the danger to the consumer of having a stolen airbag installed is that you can never be sure what may have previously affected them and if they will work right when you need them.
There are reports that 1 in 25 airbag replacements are either stolen or salvaged airbags – or no airbag is installed at all.
How to make sure your replacement is legitimate.
That is definitely one car part you don’t want to take a chance with, so Capitol Hill Exxon recommends following these guidelines:
- Use a reputable collision repair center that employs ASE certified mechanics (we can offer recommendations atCapitol Hill Exxon).
- Inspect the invoice to ensure that the repair shop purchased the airbag from a manufacturer, dealer, or recycler. If you can inspect the airbag prior to installation, it should be packaged in a sealed container from the manufacturer.
- You will see the SRS light (Supplemental Restraint System) when you first start your vehicle up. This tells you that the airbag system is activated. If you do not see the SRS light, there is likely a problem with the airbag system.
Contact Metro Motor for more information about where to get your airbags checked or replaced.
Vehicle care information made available by Metro Motor is presented as helpful advice for general maintenance and should not be construed as instructions for at-home vehicle service. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual and a licensed, professional mechanic for diagnostics and repair.