In a startling revelation, federal agents have uncovered an operation where counterfeit airbags were installed in vehicles sold by an Ohio dealer. The U.S. Department of Justice has confirmed that John Bojorquez, the owner of JB Ohio Auto Sale, pleaded guilty to trafficking in counterfeit goods. This operation, which ran from August 2024 through May 2025 involved at least 44 counterfeit airbags falsely presented as genuine Honda components.
Federal agents uncover counterfeit airbag operation
The operation came to light when Customs and Border Protection officers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport intercepted a shipment in August 2024. The shipment, which was declared as containing “desktop night lights,” actually held 20 counterfeit airbags. The same sender dispatched four additional shipments that month, all labeled similarly. The DOJ has not disclosed whether all four shipments cleared customs or how many airbags each contained.
During a search of JB Ohio Auto Sale in Galloway in May 2025 federal agents found several counterfeit airbags. Some were piled inside a clothes hamper and covered with a towel, highlighting the deceptive nature of the operation.
The dangers of counterfeit airbags
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns that counterfeit airbags can fail to deploy or eject metal shrapnel when activated. This poses a significant risk to vehicle occupants. The U.S. Department of Justice has not yet identified the affected Honda models or VINs, nor has it disclosed how many counterfeit airbags were installed. However, the potential danger is very real.
Admitting to trafficking at least 44 counterfeit airbags does not necessarily mean that 44 vehicles received them. Nonetheless, the operation raises serious concerns about the safety of vehicles sold by JB Ohio Auto Sale.
Legal consequences and customer safety
John Bojorquez faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison although his actual punishment will be determined later under federal sentencing guidelines. Anyone who purchased a vehicle from JB Auto Sale and suspects it contains a counterfeit airbag is being asked to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 888-529-2820.
Unlike fake wheels or badges, a counterfeit airbag can remain invisible until the exact moment its owner needs it most. This underscores the importance of using genuine, high-quality components in vehicles to ensure the safety of all occupants.
