Federal safety regulators are warning drivers, repair shops and used-car buyers about a growing threat from counterfeit air bag parts after defective inflators linked to at least 10 deaths and multiple serious injuries were found in vehicles across the United States.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has prohibited the sale and import of the defective inflators, identified by the marking DTN60DB, after investigators connected them to fatal crashes involving airbags that exploded with excessive force instead of protecting vehicle occupants.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the counterfeit components “illegal Chinese airbag parts responsible for 10 deaths.”

Air Bags Became Deadly Instead of Protective

Rather than inflating normally during a collision, investigators found the defective inflators ruptured when deployed, sending metal fragments into drivers and passengers.

Victims suffered severe injuries to the head, neck, chest and face in crashes that authorities say otherwise may have been survivable.

The inflators carry markings associated with Jilin Province Detiannuo Safety Technology (DTN) of China. The company has stated it does not export the affected products to the United States and believes many of the components may themselves be counterfeit.

Regardless of their origin, NHTSA says inflators marked DTN60DB should be considered unsafe.

Why Regulators Can’t Simply Recall Them

Unlike factory-installed airbags, these counterfeit inflators are generally installed after a vehicle has already been involved in a collision.

Many enter the market through independent repair shops, online marketplaces and unauthorized parts suppliers, often costing around $100, compared with $1,000 or more for genuine replacement components.

Because they are installed after the vehicle leaves the factory, the parts are not linked to a vehicle’s VIN, meaning traditional recall searches cannot identify affected vehicles.

Officials say that makes locating every defective inflator significantly more difficult.

Used-Car Buyers Face Greater Risk

Investigators have identified many of the incidents in previously damaged vehicles, particularly used Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata sedans, although regulators caution the problem may extend to additional makes and models.

Vehicles carrying salvage or rebuilt titles may face elevated risk because airbags are often replaced following previous accidents.

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are assisting in efforts to identify the supply chain responsible for distributing the counterfeit components.

Industry Faces Growing Liability

The discovery has increased scrutiny across the automotive repair industry.

Automakers, insurers, dealerships, salvage auctions and collision repair facilities all face growing legal exposure as investigations continue.

General Motors’ global brand protection team has warned that counterfeit safety components frequently use inferior materials that dramatically increase the likelihood of catastrophic failure during a crash.

The situation has also drawn comparisons to the massive Takata air bag crisis, although regulators note the counterfeit inflator problem presents additional challenges because the parts entered vehicles outside traditional manufacturer supply chains.

What Drivers Should Do

NHTSA advises owners of vehicles previously involved in accidents—particularly those with salvage or rebuilt titles—to have their airbags inspected by an authorized dealership or qualified repair facility.

Since VIN searches cannot identify counterfeit replacement parts, a physical inspection may be the only way to determine whether a dangerous inflator has been installed.

Federal officials say removing counterfeit components already circulating throughout the marketplace will likely require years of inspections and enforcement efforts.

JBizNews Desk | Washington
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