Permanent Ban on Sale of Dangerous Chinese Air Bag Inflators

NHTSA Press Releases

Published April 2nd, 2026

Detected April 2nd, 2026

Summary

NHTSA released its initial decision finding that substandard Chinese airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Safety Technology Co., Ltd. (DTN) are linked to 10 fatalities and 2 serious injuries in 12 crashes over three years. The agency is seeking public comment on whether to impose a permanent ban on U.S. sales of these inflators, which were likely illegally imported. Comments are due April 17, 2026.

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What changed

NHTSA's initial decision concludes that DTN air bag inflators, illegally imported from China, contain a safety-related defect that caused 10 deaths and 2 serious injuries in 12 crashes involving Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata vehicles. The inflators ruptured during crashes, exploding metal fragments into drivers' chests, necks, eyes, and faces instead of properly inflating to protect occupants. The agency is now seeking public comments on whether to impose a permanent ban on U.S. sales of these inflators under federal safety law.

Owners and buyers of used vehicles should immediately verify their vehicle's air bag history, particularly if the vehicle was in a crash with air bag deployment since 2020 not repaired at a manufacturer dealership. Affected parties may submit comments at regulations.gov under Docket No. NHTSA-2026-0793 by April 17, 2026. NHTSA continues to investigate how many DTN inflators have entered the U.S. market.

What to do next

Submit public comments at regulations.gov (Docket No. NHTSA-2026-0793) by April 17, 2026 if you have information relevant to the DTN inflator investigation
Inspect vehicles with unknown history that experienced air bag deployment in a crash since 2020 if not repaired at a manufacturer dealership
Obtain a vehicle history report for used vehicles to confirm air bags have not been replaced with potentially dangerous aftermarket parts

Source document (simplified)

News

Trump’s Transportation Department Weighs Permanent Ban on U.S. Sale of Chinese Air Bag Inflators Involved in Fatal Crashes

NHTSA is investigating air bags illegally imported from China linked to the death of at least 10 people

Share: April 2, 2026 | Washington, DC The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today released findings that suggest substandard Chinese air bag inflators, likely illegally imported into the United States, are to blame for 10 fatalities and two serious injuries in a dozen crashes over the past three years. All 12 crashes involved Chinese frontal driver air bag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Safety Technology Co., Ltd. (DTN) that ruptured during a crash. Instead of inflating the air bag to protect the driver, these inflators exploded, sending large metal fragments into drivers’ chests, necks, eyes and faces.

NHTSA opened the investigation into these DTN inflators in October 2025. The initial decision concludes that the inflators contain a safety-related defect.

“Our initial investigation into the use of illegal Chinese airbags in auto shops has revealed a disturbing trend: these substandard parts are killing American families,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “The Trump Administration will continue to fight to keep you and your family safe on our roads.”

By law, NHTSA must seek public comment and provide DTN with the opportunity to present information challenging the decision. NHTSA is still investigating how many of these inflators have illegally entered the United States and will determine whether a permanent ban on U.S. sales of the inflator is required.

A DTN inflator installed in an air bag module and labeled with a distinctive number sequence and bar code and DTN inflator cap marked with a DTN serial number.

The initial decision NHTSA released today includes a summary of NHTSA’s work on the investigation, as well as additional details on the 12 crashes.

NHTSA is accepting public comments on this initial decision until April 17. Comments can be submitted at regulations.gov, Docket No. NHTSA-2026-0793.

Additional Information on DTN Inflators:

Although all known crashes have occurred in Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata vehicles, NHTSA does not have information to confirm the risk is limited to these makes and models.

NHTSA urges used vehicle owners and buyers to learn their vehicle’s history and ensure the vehicle has genuine air bag inflators. Owners or buyers not familiar with their vehicle’s history should obtain a history report. A vehicle should be inspected if it was in a previous crash with an air bag deployment since 2020 and was not repaired by one of the manufacturer’s dealerships. If a vehicle has been in a previous crash where the air bag deployed, it should be inspected by a reputable mechanic immediately to ensure the air bag is a legitimate replacement equivalent to the original.

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.

If an owner has a vehicle with one of these suspect inflators, they should contact their local Homeland Security Investigations office or FBI field office to report it 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.

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