US Weighs Ban on Chinese Air Bag Inflators After Deaths
US regulators are weighing a ban on DTN air bag inflators after 10 deaths. The parts were likely illegally imported and used in GM and Hyundai vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States announced on Thursday that it is considering a permanent ban on replacement automobile airbag inflators produced by a manufacturer in China. This move follows reports of 12 crashes involving ruptured inflators that resulted in 10 deaths and multiple serious injuries. The safety regulator identified the producer as Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co Ltd, also known as DTN, and noted that the components were likely imported into the country illegally starting in May 2023. According to the investigation, all recorded fatalities linked to these parts occurred in vehicles manufactured by GENERAL MOTORS CO and HYUNDAI MOTOR CO. The NHTSA is moving to implement the ban to address the significant safety risks these replacement parts pose to drivers and passengers.
