Replacement airbag inflators that are suspected of being illegally imported may be responsible for 10 deaths and two serious injuries over a dozen crashes in the past three years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). All 12 crashes involved frontal driver airbag inflators manufactured by China’s Jilin Province Detiannuo Safety Technology Co., Ltd. (DTN).
A Serious Problem
NHTSA opened an investigation in October 2025. Initial conclusions are that the inflators contain a safety defect. Findings suggest that the inflators are substandard and “likely imported illegally.” NHTSA is still investigating how many of these inflators have entered the country.
Instead of protecting the driver, the inflators exploded, “sending large metal fragments into drivers’ chests, necks, eyes, and faces,” according to NHTSA.
The inflators in question are not the original ones installed on a vehicle when new, but rather replacements installed on crashed cars in auto shops
All known crashes involving the inflators occurred in Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata sedans; however, NHTSA is unsure whether the risk is limited to these models.
Precautions
As a precaution, NHTSA advises that drivers have their vehicle inspected if it was in a previous crash with airbag deployment since 2020 and was not repaired by one of the manufacturer’s dealerships.
Drivers should also obtain a vehicle history report to determine if the vehicle was in such an accident.
“If a vehicle is found to have one of these DTN inflators, it should not be driven until the inflator is replaced with genuine parts,” NHTSA said.
In its announcement, NHTSA says it must now seek public comment and provide DTN with the opportunity to present information challenging the initial decision to ban the components.
Who to Contact
If a vehicle is believed to have one of the DTN inflators, owners can contact their local Homeland Security Office, an FBI field office, NHTSA online, or by phone at 888-327-4326, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.
The full findings report can be read here.
