Service Bulletin

File in Section:

09 - Restraints

Bulletin No.:

12-09-41-001A

Date:

October, 2012

INFORMATION
Subject:

Information on Counterfeit Airbag Modules

Models:

2010-2011 Buick LaCrosse
2006-2010 Chevrolet Aveo
2011-2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze, Volt

This bulletin is being revised to include customer assistance information for Canadian
customers. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 12-09-41-001 (Section 09 – Restraints).

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) issued a consumer safety advisory to
announce that potentially “tens of thousands” of
counterfeit airbags have entered the U. S. from China.
Furthermore, NHTSA informed customers that if they
believe that they are at risk, they should contact their
car’s local dealer to have their vehicle inspected.
A unique GM customer assistance phone number has
been established to answer owner questions.
Concerned customers in the U.S. may call
(866) 237-3601. Canadian customers should
contact the GM Customer Care Centre (CCC) at
(800) 263-3777 English or (800) 263-7854 French.
NHTSA also published recommended dealer guidance
to help dealers identify counterfeit airbags.
As a companion to the NHTSA Guidance, General
Motors has prepared this service bulletin to guide
dealerships in the identification of counterfeit airbag
modules for the GM vehicles identified by NHTSA.
• If the customer says they purchased the vehicle
new and the air bags were never replaced, they
are not at risk.
• If the customer says they purchased the vehicle
new and the air bags were replaced with genuine
GM airbags at an authorized dealer (new car
sales), they are not at risk.
For all other scenarios, a physical inspection may be
the best way to identify whether the airbag module
installed is the proper OEM airbag.
The inspection procedure detailed below is to be
performed at Customer pay. Airbag Module Inspection
should not be considered a part of warranty, policy or
dealer empowerment programs. If a counterfeit airbag
is found, and the customer declines to have it repaired,
the disclaimer attached at the end of this document
should be provided to the customer.

Copyright 2012 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Counterfeit Airbag Identification
Based on the information provided to General Motors
the counterfeit airbag modules are being manufactured
from a collection of reclaimed components with some
new or remanufactured parts. Due to this “piecing
together” of available parts there may be a wide variety
of appearance and functional differences between each
individual counterfeit module.
When a vehicle is presented for airbag module
inspection you will be required to remove the module to
evaluate whether it is an authentic GM part. The
following are immediate telltale signs of a possible
counterfeit module:
• The airbag light should illuminate during “key on”
and turn off after the vehicle is started. A glowing
airbag light indicates a functional problem with the
airbag module. The lack of an airbag light during
“key on” may indicate the bulb has been disabled
to prevent the customer from being alerted to a
problem with the module.
• The vehicle horn should function. A lack of a horn
may indicate the air bag module horn contacts are
incorrectly placed, or missing from the module.
• The emblem on the airbag cover may not match
the size, shape, texture or color of a known
genuine GM airbag module.
• The letters of the word “airbag”, which are
embossed or molded into the vinyl trim cover may
not be well-defined.
• When compared with an “in stock” vehicle, the
texture of the vinyl material used for the
counterfeit air bag trim cover varies from the OEM
material.
• There may be evidence that the counterfeit air bag
installer shaved or trimmed the vinyl trim cover for
better fit into the steering wheel housing
• The inflator assembly is labeled with a different
OEM name than the air bag’s emblem or intended
vehicle brand.

Page 2

October, 2012

Identification of Removed Counterfeit Airbag
Module
Once the airbag module is removed there are several
clues you can use to identify a counterfeit airbag
module. It may be more useful to rely on the visual
indications noted below as opposed to confirming part
numbers or molded-in identifiers since the counterfeiter
may have reproduced a correct part number or have
correct molding marks because some portion of the
module may be a reclaimed OEM component.

Bulletin No.: 12-09-41-001A

Electrical Connector Shorting Bars
Vehicles that are the subject of this service information
all have airbag modules equipped with “shorting bars”
(2) incorporated in the electrical connectors. Grounding
terminals or “shorting bars” on the inflator wire
connectors prevent the air bag from deploying when
disconnected from the vehicle system are missing this
counterfeit airbag.

Shorting Bars Missing

Counterfeit Airbag Module

2918044

2918042

The pictured airbag module above is a confirmed
counterfeit part. Please note the following:
• The caution label applied to the back of the
module is the incorrect size and shape for the
module. In order to place it in the intended location
the label had to be folded over (1) in two places.
Additionally, caution labels, will not be tucked
under the backing plate (2) as shown.
• The electrical connectors (3) on the back of the
airbag module will be color coded and match the
connector color on the vehicle side. These
connectors are keyed for each vehicle application
and should not show any signs of being
re-machined or tampered with.
• Examine the module for tool marks visible on the
fasteners and/or grinder marks visible on the air
bag backing plate. A counterfeit air bag may have
numerous holes (4) drilled/cut into it, which allows
the counterfeit air bag to be installed into a wider
range of vehicles.

Shorting Bars Present

2918141

In the photos above you can identify the grounding
terminals or shorting bars (2). In all cases the shorting
bars appear as a gold plated U-shaped piece of metal
on genuine GM airbags. Counterfeit modules (1) often
omit these secondary contacts.

Bulletin No.: 12-09-41-001A

October, 2012

Air Bag Module Inspection and
Identification by Model
The section below provides photos and details to
evaluate whether a genuine OEM airbag module is
installed in each identified model. The modules pictured
below are verified OEM modules. All of the tips and

Page 3

inspection methods described above should be
employed when inspecting the airbag modules out of
vehicle.
2006-2010 Chevrolet Aveo
The Chevrolet Aveo uses a metal backed airbag
module that is painted black. The physical appearance
of the module should exactly match the picture below.

Genuine Aveo Airbag Module

2918128

Look for inconsistent materials, stickers, additional
holes in the module, or any signs of tampering.

Page 4

October, 2012

Bulletin No.: 12-09-41-001A

2011-2012 Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro uses a plastic backed airbag
module black in color. The physical appearance of the
module should exactly match the picture below.

Genuine Camaro Airbag Module

2918131

Look for inconsistent materials used, variation in the
caution sticker, additional holes in the module, or any
signs of tampering. The paper label (1) may be present,
removed or placed at a different location on the module.
This paper label should not be considered critical in
validating the authenticity of this module.

Bulletin No.: 12-09-41-001A

October, 2012

2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze / Volt
The Chevrolet Cruze / Volt uses a plastic backed airbag
module black in color. The physical appearance of the
module should exactly match the picture below. One
example is shown for both vehicles. Various part
numbers are used for each application but the physical
appearance is the same.

Page 5

Important: This example shows corrosion on the bare
metal near the electrical contacts. This is a normal
condition you may encounter, and is not an indication of
counterfeit, remanufactured or reclaimed parts. The
corrosion does not affect operation of the airbag
module.

Genuine Cruze / Volt Airbag Module

2918132

Look for inconsistent materials, stickers, additional
holes in the module, or any signs of tampering.

Page 6

October, 2012

2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse
The Buick LaCrosse uses an unpainted metal backed
airbag module. The physical appearance of the module
should exactly match the picture below. Various part
numbers are used for each application but the physical
appearance is the same.

Bulletin No.: 12-09-41-001A

Important: This type of module allows the airbag (1) to
be visible at several points around the edge of the
module. Confirm the module has an airbag installed.

Genuine LaCrosse Airbag Module

2918125

Look for inconsistent materials, stickers, additional
holes in the module, or any signs of tampering.
As NHTSA provides more information, additional
inspection procedures may be provided.

Customer Acknowledgement
If the dealer finds a suspected counterfeit airbag and
the customer does not want it replaced, the dealer
should have the customer sign the following
acknowledgement, before reinstalling the suspected
counterfeit airbag.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) issued a consumer safety advisory to alert
vehicle owners and repair professionals to the dangers
of counterfeit air bags. The NHTSA has also provided
consumers with criteria and risk factors to help them
evaluate whether their vehicles may be at risk.

Bulletin No.: 12-09-41-001A

October, 2012

We have completed an inspection of your vehicle’s air
bags to try to determine if any of your air bags may be
counterfeit airbags. Your vehicle was inspected
consistent with the NHTSA dealer guidance and
consistent with air bag inspection procedures provided
by General Motors. We have determined from our
inspection that one or more of your air bags may be
counterfeit and have recommended that the suspected
counterfeit air bags be replaced with GM replacement
air bags. You have elected not to replace the air bags at
this time and have directed us to reinstall the suspected
counterfeit air bags into your vehicle.

Page 7

Before we reinstall the suspected counterfeit air
bags please acknowledge the following:
1. Counterfeit air bags may not deploy or perform in
the same manner as GM supplied replacement
air bags.
2. Failure of the counterfeit air bags to deploy or to
perform in the same manner as GM supplied air
bags can lead to serious bodily injury or death to
vehicle occupants in a crash.
3. We strongly recommend that you limit the driving of
your vehicle until you are in a position to replace
the suspected air bags.
4. You assume all responsibility for the risks
associated with the operation of your vehicle with
the suspected counterfeit air bags.
5. You can return to this dealership or to any
authorized GM dealership if you later decide to
have the suspect air bags replaced. The dealer will
provide a cost estimate for the replacement air
bags before any work is performed.
Customer Signature:
Date:

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

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