NHTSA links illegal Chinese airbag inflators to 10 deaths

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released initial findings linking substandard airbag inflators, likely illegally imported from China, to 10 fatalities and two serious injuries across 12 crashes over the past three years. All 12 incidents involved frontal driver airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Safety Technology Co. (DTN) that ruptured on deployment, sending metal fragments into drivers rather than inflating to provide protection.

NHTSA opened its investigation into DTN inflators in October 2025. The initial decision concludes the inflators contain a safety-related defect. The agency is continuing to investigate the scale of illegal importation and will determine whether a permanent ban on US sales is required. Public comments on the initial decision are being accepted until 17 April via regulations.gov, Docket No. NHTSA-2026-0793.

Although all known crashes occurred in Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata vehicles, NHTSA said it cannot confirm the risk is limited to those models. The agency is urging used vehicle owners whose cars have had airbag deployments since 2020 and were not repaired at a manufacturer’s dealership to have the vehicle inspected. Vehicles confirmed to contain DTN inflators should not be driven until the inflator is replaced with genuine parts.

Owners who believe their vehicle may be affected are advised to contact their local Homeland Security Investigations office, an FBI field office, or NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline on 888-327-4236.

Source: NHTSA