NHTSA issues urgent warning about Chinese airbag inflators, likely illegally imported
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued what it calls an “urgent warning” to used car buyers and owners after an additional two drivers were killed in crashes in December by “substandard and dangerous” Chinese replacement airbag inflators that are likely illegally imported.
As of this week, NHTSA is aware of 10 crashes resulting in death or serious injury from ruptured replacement airbag inflators made in China by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety Systems Co. Ltd. (DTN), a release says.
“Eight drivers have been killed in otherwise survivable crashes, while two other drivers suffered severe injuries,” the release says. “All of these vehicles had their original equipment airbags replaced with substandard airbags after a previous crash.”
All known crashes have occurred in Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata vehicles, the release says. Most had salvage or rebuilt titles. Yet, NHTSA says that it does not have information to confirm the risk is limited to these makes and models.
Last May, the family of a Florida mother, killed in a 2023 crash from a DTN airbag, filed a lawsuit against a rental company, auto auction company, used car retailer, manufacturer, and a body shop.
The airbag inflators malfunctioned in crashes, sending large metal fragments into drivers’ chests, necks, eyes and faces, the release says. It adds that there is an open investigation into DTN inflators.
“NHTSA has alerted the auto repair industry to be on the lookout for these dangerous inflators and to notify NHTSA immediately with any additional information they may have about these substandard inflators,” the release says. “As DTN has acknowledged on its website, the inflators are prohibited from sale in the United States. Whoever is bringing them into the country and installing them is putting American families in danger.”
Many OEM manufacturers state that airbags should be removed and inspected after a collision. Yet, according to a “Who Pays for What?” survey, about 49% of shops say they are getting reimbursed for airbag inspections most of the time.
An OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit Session at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas explored the importance of airbag safety inspections.
Collision shops have also reported finding previous improper repairs with airbags during safety inspections. In August, a New Jersey shop, while conducting an airbag inspection, found a previous repairer had cut the airbag harnesses and wired in resistors to trick the computer into thinking the airbag system was functioning properly on a Honda CR-V.
NHTSA also urges used vehicle owners and buyers to learn their vehicle’s history and ensure it has genuine airbag inflators.
“If their vehicle has been in a previous crash where the air bag deployed, it should be inspected immediately to ensure the air bag is a legitimate replacement equivalent to the original,” NHTSA’s release says. “If a vehicle has a salvage or rebuilt title, it is especially urgent that it be inspected for one of these inflators. If the vehicle is found to have one of these DTN inflators, it should not be driven until the inflator is replaced with genuine parts.”
Owners or buyers without the vehicle’s history should obtain a history report and have a reputable mechanic or dealership perform an inspection if it has been in a previous crash with airbag deployment, the release says.
The NHTSA investigation states that it is working with appropriate authorities to address any illegal activities associated with the importation of the inflators.
“NHTSA has taken a variety of actions to address the risks posed by the importation of substandard or counterfeit air bag components,” the investigation report says. “However, until recently, these risks appeared spread across a variety of components and manufacturers.”
Owners of vehicles with these suspected inflators should report them to their local Homeland Security Investigations office or FBI field office, or submit an online complaint to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center.
Owners may also contact NHTSA online or by calling the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.
During a U.S. House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing held Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06) said a federal autonomous vehicle framework is necessary to ensure the country stays ahead of China in technology development, not just for economic security but for safety.
“If we don’t provide strong federal leadership, we risk letting bad actors and foreign adversaries exploit gaps in regulation, which they’re already doing at the expense of consumer safety, privacy, and fair market competition,” Dingell said.
She asked Hilary Cain, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation’s senior vice president for policy, if China plays by the same rules as the U.S.
Cain responded, “No, they do not.”
Dingell then asked, “If we fail to safely innovate, do we risk losing our domestic auto industry and American jobs?”
“Yes, I believe we do,” Cain answered.
Dingell followed with, “If we don’t lead in autonomous vehicle technology, who will?”
“China,” Cain said.
Dingell asked, “Is China complying by the safety rules the way we do in this country?”
Cain responded, “I think they have a very different approach to safety rules in China.”
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