NHTSA Issues Urgent Warning Over Illegal Chinese Replacement Air Bags After Two More Deaths

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Tuesday issued an urgent warning to used car buyers, vehicle owners and auto repair shops after two more drivers were killed in December in crashes linked to dangerous Chinese replacement air bag inflators that are believed to have been illegally imported into the United States. The agency said it is aware of 10 crashes resulting in deaths or serious injuries caused by ruptured replacement inflators made in China by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co. Ltd., also known as DTN.

NHTSA said eight drivers died in otherwise survivable crashes, while two others suffered severe injuries after their original air bags had been replaced with substandard parts following earlier accidents. In the crashes, the inflators malfunctioned and sent large metal fragments into drivers’ chests, necks, eyes and faces. The agency opened an investigation in October after eight crashes and six deaths, estimating around 10,000 inflators may be involved, and said it is working with law enforcement to address illegal importation.

All fatal incidents so far involved replacement air bags installed in used Chevrolet Malibu or Hyundai Sonata vehicles, though NHTSA said the risk may not be limited to those models. Hyundai said it was deeply concerned about counterfeit inflators installed in older used Sonata vehicles with salvaged or rebuilt titles, adding the components were not authorized or supplied by the company. GM declined to comment, while DTN did not immediately respond. NHTSA urged repair shops to report any information about such inflators and advised consumers buying previously crashed used vehicles to get immediate inspections to confirm air bag replacements are legitimate.

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