Counterfeit auto parts are big business, with such parts entering the U.S. having an estimated value of more than $3 billion a year, federal and international officials have said.
Any part of a vehicle can be counterfeited from air bags to spark plugs to fuel injectors, key fobs, sensors and more, according to the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council in Michigan, which includes nearly a dozen North American vehicle manufacturers.
Here are some ways that it said consumers can try to avoid cheaply made counterfeit parts, which can cause performance issues and even injuries or death:
Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How to avoid getting faked out by counterfeit car parts
Reporting by Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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