The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a crucial warning this Tuesday aimed at used car buyers, owners, and repair shops. This alert follows the tragic deaths of two drivers in December linked to Chinese-made airbag inflators that were likely imported illegally.
The agency reported it is investigating ten accidents that resulted in either fatalities or serious injuries caused by these defective airbag inflators, manufactured by Jilin Detian Nuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators may have been smuggled into the U.S.
According to NHTSA, eight drivers died in various crashes, while two others sustained serious injuries in vehicles where their original airbags had been replaced with substandard ones after earlier incidents.
Compounding the danger, NHTSA explained that during these crashes, the DTN airbag inflators malfunctioned, resulting in “large pieces of metal becoming lodged in the driver’s chest, neck, eyes, and face.”
The agency initiated an investigation into the DTN inflators back in October after a series of eight accidents that led to six fatalities. NHTSA is now collaborating with law enforcement to tackle the illegal importation practices and estimates there are around 10,000 inflators under scrutiny.
Most of the replacement airbags involved in these fatal incidents were found in used Chevrolet Malibu or Hyundai Sonata vehicles, yet the NHTSA has not ruled out risks associated with other makes and models.
Neither General Motors nor Hyundai offered any immediate comments, and there was no response from DTN when contacted.
NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison stressed that the agency is committed to working with both the industry and consumers regarding this serious issue. They are advising the auto repair sector to be vigilant about these inflators and to report any relevant information to NHTSA right away.
The NHTSA further highlighted that, according to DTN’s own website, these inflators are banned from being sold in the United States. Regardless of who imports and installs them, consumers’ safety is at risk.
For anyone buying a used vehicle that has previously deployed an airbag, it’s crucial to get the airbag checked immediately to confirm it meets genuine replacement standards.
