Fake Chinese Airbags Installed In American Cars Are Killing People
Two recent accidents involving Chinese-made airbag inflators are drawing attention from U.S. safety regulators, who warn that fake airbag components are making their way into local repair shops and putting American lives at risk.
Key Points
- Counterfeit airbags from Chinese supplier DTN are tied to at least five U.S. fatalities, prompting a federal investigation and renewed safety warnings.
- Cheap aftermarket inflators are being sold online and installed in repair shops, sometimes costing as little as $100 versus $1,000 for genuine parts, but can explode violently in crashes.
- Regulators and industry leaders warn the scope of the problem is unclear, urging consumers to seek certified replacements as the government ramps up efforts to block unsafe imports.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed it is investigating seven crashes, including five deaths, tied to aftermarket airbags that violently ruptured during deployment—the Wall Street Journal reports. The culprit is Jilin Province Detiannuo Safety Technology, also known as DTN Airbag, a Chinese manufacturer being accused of producing inflators that contain volatile chemicals.
Remember the Takata saga—the faulty inflaters caused the largest automotive recall in history, and accounted for 28 U.S. deaths.
Like Takata’s defective inflators, DTN’s counterfeits are alleged to explode with grenade-like force, spraying shrapnel into vehicle cabins during otherwise survivable crashes.
One of the most recent fatalities occurred in July, marking the second death this year now linked to DTN inflators. Federal officials say the failures are tracking with reports from 2023, when three deaths were connected to substandard replacement parts.
In 2023, the death of 22-year-old Florida mother, Destiny Byassee, was caused by a counterfeit DTN inflator installed in her Chevrolet Malibu that detonated during a low-speed accident, killing her instantly.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy spoke fiercely on the matter. “My message to the auto repair industry is clear: whoever is bringing this faulty Chinese equipment into the country and installing them is putting American families in danger and committing a serious crime.”
It's impossible to know how many cars are fitted with counterfeit DTN inflators—the fake airbags are often sold online, sometimes for as little as $100, a fraction of the price compared to $1,000 or more for genuine, manufacturer-certified parts. The construction and packaging mimic genuine OEM components closely enough that even repair shops can be fooled. Although you would think that a degree of scepticism would creep in when you're literally paying a mere fraction of the price.
NHTSA is urging consumers who need airbag replacements to work through certified dealers and avoid cheap, uncertified inflators—although many consumers aren't choosing the parts themselves, some are simply innocent victims put in harm's way by purchasing a used car that may have been involved in a minor accident and had its airbag replaced.
Regulators are now coordinating with other federal agencies in an effort to cut off DTN’s products from entering the country at all.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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China gives us Fentany, Chink Tok, DNT airbags, and Spys, all which are not allowed in China itself.