03:52 05-04-2026

NHTSA bans dangerous Chinese-made DTN airbags in U.S. vehicles

NHTSA is banning Chinese DTN airbags linked to 10 deaths and 12 accidents in U.S. vehicles like Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata. Learn about the defect and safety risks.

The U.S. regulator NHTSA has initiated a process to ban Chinese-made DTN airbags following a series of tragic incidents. Over the past three years, these components have been linked to 10 deaths and at least 12 accidents across various U.S. states.

According to SPEEDME.RU, the issue affects vehicles from 2017 to 2022, including models like the Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata, where the dangerous airbags were installed as part of post-accident repairs. This concerns not factory systems, but aftermarket parts used as a cheaper alternative.

Investigations reveal that the defect lies in the inflator: instead of deploying correctly, it creates excessive pressure and ruptures the housing. This sends metal fragments flying through the cabin, turning the safety system into a source of lethal danger.

In terms of the defect's nature, the situation echoes the high-profile Takata scandal, which impacted millions of vehicles worldwide. NHTSA data indicates the components were produced by Jilin Province Detiannuo Safety Technology and may have been illegally supplied to the U.S. This raises serious questions about the parts market and origin controls.

The situation will directly hit the repair market, with tighter certification requirements for parts and increased oversight of service centers expected. For car owners, this is a signal to check their vehicles, especially if airbags were replaced after an accident.

The DTN case serves as a stark warning for the entire industry: cutting corners on safety always comes at a higher cost. After Takata, the market should have learned its lesson, but practice shows the problem hasn't vanished—it has simply taken on a new form.