Florida Statutes
Chapter 860 - Offenses Concerning Aircraft, Motor Vehicles, Vessels, and Railroads
860.146 - Fake Airbags; Junk-Filled Airbag Compartment.


(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Airbag” means a motor vehicle inflatable occupant restraint system, including all component parts, such as the cover, sensors, controllers, inflators, and wiring, that is designed in accordance with federal safety regulations for a given make, model, and year of a vehicle.
(b) “Counterfeit airbag” means an airbag displaying a mark identical or similar to the genuine mark of a motor vehicle manufacturer without authorization from said manufacturer.
(c) “Fake airbag” means any item other than an airbag that was designed in accordance with federal safety regulations for a given make, model, and year of motor vehicle as part of a motor vehicle inflatable restraint system, including counterfeit or nonfunctioning airbags.
(d) “Junk-filled airbag compartment” means an airbag compartment that is filled with any substance that does not function in the same manner or to the same extent as an airbag to protect vehicle occupants in a vehicle crash. The term does not include a compartment from which an airbag has deployed if there is no concealment of the deployment.
(e) “Nonfunctional airbag” means a replacement airbag that:
1. Was previously deployed or damaged;
2. Has an electric fault that is detected by the vehicle airbag diagnostic system after the installation procedure is completed; or
3. Includes any part or object, including, but not limited to, a counterfeit or repaired airbag cover, installed in a motor vehicle to mislead the owner or operator of such motor vehicle into believing that a functional airbag has been installed.


(2) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly import, manufacture, purchase, sell, offer for sale, install, or reinstall on a vehicle a fake airbag or junk-filled airbag compartment. Any person who violates this subsection commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2001-85; s. 4, ch. 2014-181.