The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a ban Wednesday on airbag inflators manufactured by a Chinese company, citing evidence that the defective parts have caused at least 10 deaths and two injuries in car crashes across the United States.
According to the agency's investigation, the frontal driver airbags ruptured during collisions, propelling large metal fragments into drivers' chests, necks, eyes, and faces. All recorded incidents involved vehicles made by General Motors or Hyundai, but NHTSA cautioned that it “cannot confirm the risk is limited to these makes and models.” The agency suspects the inflators were smuggled into the U.S. market illegally.
The banned components bear the identifier “DTN60DB,” which traces back to Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co. Ltd., a Chinese firm commonly known as DTN. DTN has denied selling inflators to American companies, arguing in regulatory filings reported by Reuters that “it cannot be proven that the inflators in question” were manufactured by DTN “nor can it be proven that the accidents were caused by defective inflators.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, however, made clear the administration will not tolerate such risks. “Anyone caught importing or selling these defective, deadly inflators will be held accountable as we work with our law enforcement partners to restore safety on our roads,” he said. Duffy emphasized that banning “these imported Chinese airbag parts” is essential to prevent further loss of life.
The move comes amid broader tensions over Chinese automotive components and market access. Earlier this year, 73 House Democrats urged the Trump administration to bar Chinese automakers from the U.S. market, citing national security and safety concerns. Meanwhile, the administration has taken a hard line on Chinese technology and supply chains, including new sanctions targeting Chinese refineries and shipping firms to cut Iran's oil revenue.
NHTSA's ban applies to all inflators with the DTN60DB identifier, regardless of vehicle make or model. The agency is working with law enforcement to trace the supply chain and identify any companies that may have imported or distributed the parts. Officials urge consumers who suspect their vehicles contain these inflators to check with their automaker or dealer for recall information.
The case echoes past airbag defects, such as the massive Takata recall that affected millions of vehicles worldwide. Unlike Takata, which used ammonium nitrate propellant that degraded over time, the DTN inflators appear to have failed due to manufacturing flaws that caused the metal canister to rupture explosively.
As the investigation continues, regulators stress that the death toll could rise if more incidents are discovered. “We are committed to holding bad actors accountable and ensuring that every vehicle on American roads meets the highest safety standards,” Duffy added. The ban takes effect immediately.
