Is This a Counterfeit Spark Plug Sold by Amazon?

[DougR]

According to a video by the Car Car Nut, the following Denso SK20HR11 Iridium Spark Plug sold and shipped by Amazon is counterfeit. The printing is inconsistent. The plug should be stamped "ASSEMBLED IN THE US WITH FOREIGN CONTENT", whereas the image shows a series of plus sign symbols across the metal casing. Printing on the box states, "Made in the US with Foreign Content".

Amazon.com: Denso (3421) SK20HR11 Iridium Long Life Spark Plug, Single Plug: Automotive

Toyota Counterfeit parts EXPOSED! - YouTube See time stamp 12:14 showing genuine vs counterfeit printing. See time stamp 10:45 to 11:00 for genuine printing on the metal case. See also 8:45 to 14:30 for other details on differences between genuine and counterfeit. Clearly, Amazon's image of a Denso spark plug that is sold and shipped by Amazon illustrates a counterfeit product.

Denso may have made some changes to the packaging and Iridium SK20HR11 spark plugs over the past 10 years. If so, then why would Amazon post the image of an obvious counterfeit for a spark plug they sell and ship? I stopped buying Toyota auto parts from Amazon years ago. I didn't want to waste time trying to figure out if any part sold by Amazon is a genuine Toyota part or a part that has been superseded.

 

[daytonaviolet]

I only buy Toyota filters from Ebay if the seller is a Toyota dealership. To many scammers out there

 

[rhadam]

I pick up spark plugs from Napa. Other parts like oil filters etc I make sure to purchase OEM Toyota. Why chance it over a couple bucks saved?

 

[sn_85]

I would also avoid buying auto parts from Amazon. Even if it's sold by Amazon themselves they have zero quality control. I bought a Yeti cup a few years back on Amazon from Amazon as the seller and it was a counterfeit.

 

[Cndnmax]

Amazon allows sellers to just throw their items into a fulfill by Amazon bin of matching UPCs (so to speak) and any order gets pulled from the same bin no matter who the seller is.

This is how counterfeits get placed into the mix. Ultimately the seller is responsible for the counterfeit even if it wasn’t his item to begin with.

The only way around this is for sellers to use custom UPCs but Amazon charges more for that.
Ebay orders from actual dealerships or Amazon orders fulfilled by the seller are your best bets.

 

[1000MPH]

Well crap! Am I gonna have to pull the plugs I installed?

 

[<<<<]

Dealers place batch orders and have reliable supplier. You can't go wrong with ordering from Toyota:

Olathe Toyota Parts Center

Genuine OEM Toyota Parts | Conicelli Toyota of Conshohock

and many more.

 

[<<<<]

This is what original part looks like:

 

[<<<<]

Keep in mind that seller image online can be genuine Denso while what they send you may not. Check your product when you receive it. There you go:

<iframe width="905" height="509" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nvcJFkf_XJ0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[RichinRidgewood]

I would buy them from a reputable source. So many times in many instances Amazon is not one of them.

 

[DougR]

This is what original part looks like:

The box shows the latest part number. However, according to the Car Car Nut video, the metal case should be engraved with "ASSEMBLED IN THE US WITH FOREIGN CONTENT" (time stamp 12:45 in the above video link.) Furthermore, the box should have printing on the side that states, "Made in the US with Foreign Content".

This Toyota web site probably doesn't update their photos each and every time the spark plug has changed. Printing on the ceramic appears genuine.

 

[DougR]

Well crap! Am I gonna have to pull the plugs I installed?

The Car Care Nut video goes into considerable detail on how to detect a counterfeit, which requires very close examination of details in the construction, printing and engraving on the spark plug. Perhaps you could remove just one of the spark plugs and compare it to the details in the video.

 

[1000MPH]

The Car Care Nut video goes into considerable detail on how to detect a counterfeit, which requires very close examination of details in the construction, printing and engraving on the spark plug. Perhaps you could remove just one of the spark plugs and compare it to the details in the video.

Yeah, I might pull one tomorrow.

 

[1000MPH]

I pulled one of the plugs I bought on Amazon and installed several years ago. Bought directly from Amazon, not third party.
First of all, only 35k miles and this plug did not come out smoothly, I think I will use anti-seize on the next change despite the warnings.
This replacement plug was not bought as a Toyota part but as a Denso part.
Says “Japan” in the engraving.
Mine passes most of the counterfeit checks.
Good screen printing.
Good looking center and ground electrodes: width, weld, color.
Good gasket feel and gap.
Passes the scratch test for plating or paint.

But fwiw, the engraved printing is not really centered, it’s a bit low.

I think it’s genuine and my performance and mileage is normal.

Here’s a link to the Denso Counterfeit Guide..l
https://www.denso-am.eu/media/1374174/identify-counterfeit-denso-spark-plugs-white-paper-_pk3.pdf

 

[1000MPH]

Well I ended up pulling all six plugs to have a look and to apply anti-seize. All looked about the same as the picture above. All threads felt sticky so hope the anti-seize improves that when it’s time to remove them again.

 

[bluebullet]

Toyota often shares suppliers, e.g. my 99 SR5 came with Denso plugs on the left bank and NGKs on the right. Never checked my 2011 Trail nor my 2020 ORP.

 

[Joewildlife]

Don't trust anyone but the dealer

eBay Denso plugs are FAKE and cheap, I got 6 for $24 for my daughter's Highlander and they wore out in 15,000 miles. Check out the pic, the center electrode is GONE. Started misfiring, threw a code, and burned out one of the coils. Required a tow. All 6 look this bad. and changing the rear bank took 1.5 hours EACH.

The counterfeits said Japan had the + signs engraved.
The Denso in Toyota box from Coad Toyota say "Assembled in the USA with foreign content"

If you aren't paying $8 to $11 apiece for Denso plugs, it is probably a scam.

Once bitten....

 

[1000MPH]

The genuine plugs for the 4Runner, and looks like the Highlander as well, should have a slightly tapered center electrode ceramic insulator.

 

[rdruss]

I have a Highlander too and did plugs last summer ... not a fun job! Would be really upset if I put junk plugs in and had to redo in a year or two!

 

[Joewildlife]

I have a Highlander too and did plugs last summer ... not a fun job! Would be really upset if I put junk plugs in and had to redo in a year or two!

Yeah the paint is burned off the engine compartment with all my #@$*&^@ bad language! left some blood in there too. Whole ordeal cost $220 including a uhaul rental (gas not included) because I was a dumb ass and bought counterfeit plugs to save a few bucks.

Joe