NHTSA Urgent Warning: Dangerous Chinese Air Bag Inflators Linked to Deaths

NHTSA Press Releases

Published January 13th, 2026

Detected March 14th, 2026

Summary

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued an urgent warning regarding substandard Chinese air bag inflators linked to two recent deaths, bringing the total to eight. The agency is investigating these parts, likely illegally imported, and urges owners of used vehicles, especially those with salvage titles, to have them inspected immediately.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent warning concerning dangerous, substandard air bag inflators manufactured in China by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co. Ltd. (DTN). These inflators have been linked to 10 crashes, resulting in eight deaths and two serious injuries, with two additional fatalities occurring in December 2025. The agency suspects these parts are illegally imported and have been installed as replacements in vehicles after previous air bag deployments, particularly noting instances in Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata models with salvage or rebuilt titles. NHTSA has an open investigation into these DTN inflators.

Owners and buyers of used vehicles are strongly urged to inspect their vehicles for these dangerous replacement parts, especially if the vehicle has a salvage or rebuilt title or has been in a crash where the air bag deployed. If a suspect inflator is found, the vehicle should not be driven until it is replaced with genuine parts. Consumers are advised to obtain vehicle history reports and have vehicles inspected by reputable mechanics. Those who discover these inflators are encouraged to report them to Homeland Security Investigations or the FBI. This notice highlights the critical need for vigilance in the used car market and the potential dangers of non-genuine replacement parts.

What to do next

Inspect used vehicles for non-genuine Chinese air bag inflators, especially those with salvage/rebuilt titles or prior air bag deployment.
Advise customers purchasing used vehicles with a history of air bag deployment to have them inspected for genuine air bag inflators.
Report any discovered suspect inflators to Homeland Security Investigations or the FBI.

Source document (simplified)

News

Urgent Warning: Two More Deaths from Substandard, Dangerous Chinese Air Bag Inflators

Used vehicles with previous air bag deployments should be inspected for these dangerous replacement parts

Language: English
- Español
Share: January 13, 2026 | Washington, DC The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is issuing an urgent warning to used car buyers and owners after two more drivers have been killed in crashes in December by substandard and dangerous Chinese replacement air bag inflators that are likely illegally imported.

NHTSA is aware of 10 crashes resulting in death or serious injury from ruptured replacement air bag inflators made in China by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co. Ltd., also known as DTN, and likely illegally imported into the United States. Eight drivers have been killed in otherwise survivable crashes, while two other drivers suffered severe injuries. All of these vehicles had their original equipment air bags replaced with substandard airbags after a previous crash.

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

These dangerous, substandard air bag inflators malfunctioned in crashes, sending large metal fragments into drivers’ chests, necks, eyes and faces. NHTSA has an open investigation into these 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. 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.

NHTSA urges used vehicle owners and buyers to learn their vehicle’s history and ensure the vehicle has genuine air bag 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. 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.

If an owner or buyer does not know the vehicle’s history, they should get a history report and have the vehicle inspected by a reputable mechanic or dealership if it has been in a previous crash with air bag deployment.

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.

Contact: