Deadly Car Crashes Involved: U.S. Issues Emergency Warning Over Airbag Inflators Made by Chinese Company (Image)

An emergency warning posted on the official website of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[People News] The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Tuesday (January 13) issued what it called an “urgent alert” to used-car buyers and vehicle owners, after two more drivers died in car crashes in December of last year. The vehicles involved had replacement airbag inflators installed that used illegally imported, “defective and dangerous” Chinese-made products.

According to a report by Voice of America, NHTSA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, said it has learned that in ten crashes, airbag inflators manufactured in China by Jilin Detiannuo Safety Technology Co., Ltd. (DTN) ruptured, causing deaths or serious injuries. These inflators had been installed as replacement parts after the vehicles were previously involved in crashes and may have been illegally imported into the United States. NHTSA said that eight drivers died in crashes that were otherwise potentially survivable, and two additional drivers were seriously injured.

Although all known incidents occurred in Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata models, and most of the vehicles carried salvage or rebuilt titles, NHTSA said it has no information confirming that the risk is limited to those brands and models.

NHTSA warned: “These dangerous, non-compliant airbag inflators can malfunction during a crash, causing metal fragments to be propelled into the driver’s chest, neck, eyes, and face.” NHTSA is investigating these inflators produced by Detiannuo.

NHTSA has issued alerts to the auto repair industry, urging shops to watch for these dangerous devices and to immediately report relevant information to the agency. NHTSA also urged used-car buyers and vehicle owners to review vehicle history records and ensure that their vehicles are equipped with genuine airbag inflators.

NHTSA cautioned: “If a vehicle’s title indicates it is a salvage or rebuilt vehicle, it is especially important to check whether it is equipped with such an inflator. If a Detiannuo inflator is found, the vehicle should not be driven until it is replaced with a genuine part.”

Jilin Detiannuo Technology Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Siping City, Jilin Province, China. Detiannuo describes itself as “a modern high-tech key enterprise integrating product development, production, sales, and after-sales service.” According to the company’s official website, its “technical elites” have “independently developed” airbag inflators.

In large print on its website, Detiannuo declares: “We do not do business with Americans, and all of our products are prohibited from being sold to the United States.”

NHTSA stated: “As Detiannuo itself acknowledges on its website, this inflator is prohibited from sale in the United States. Anyone who brings it into the United States and installs it is endangering the safety of American families.”
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