WASHINGTON – The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday issued an urgent warning to American used car buyers, owners, and repair shops after two more drivers were killed in crashes in December by dangerous Chinese replacement air bag inflators that are likely illegally imported.
The auto safety agency stated that it was aware of 10 crashes resulting in death or serious injury from ruptured replacement air bag inflators manufactured in China by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd., also known as DTN, and likely illegally imported into the United States.
NHTSA said eight drivers have been killed in otherwise survivable crashes. In comparison, two other drivers suffered severe injuries in vehicles that had the original airbags replaced with substandard air bags after a previous crash.
NHTSA said the DTN air bag inflators malfunctioned in crashes,”sending large metal fragments into drivers’ chests, necks, eyes and faces.”
NHTSA in October opened an investigation into DTN replacement inflators after eight crashes and six deaths. NHTSA is working with law enforcement agencies to address any illegal activities associated with the importation of these inflators and estimated the population of inflators under investigation at 10,000.
All of the replacement air bags in the fatal crashes were installed in used Chevrolet Malibu or Hyundai Sonata vehicles but NHTSA said it could not confirm the risk is limited to these makes and models. Hyundai Motor said it was deeply concerned by reports counterfeit air bag inflators installed as replacement parts in three used older Sonata vehicles ruptured during crash events.
“These dangerous components were not supplied or authorized by Hyundai and were installed in vehicles with salvaged or rebuilt titles,” the South Korean automaker said. “Protecting our customers is our top priority, and we fully support NHTSA’s ongoing efforts to identify vehicles containing these counterfeit inflators.” Chevrolet maker General Motors declined to comment, while DTN did not immediately respond to a request for comment. NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison said the agency was focused on addressing the issue with industry and consumers.
The agency issued an alert to the auto repair industry to be on the lookout for these inflators and notify NHTSA immediately with any information about these 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 said.
For consumers buying used vehicles that were 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.
