NHTSA Issues Warning on Hazardous Chinese Air Bag Inflators Tied to 8 Fatalities
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Federal auto regulators are issuing a stern warning to used car buyers and owners regarding “substandard and dangerous” Chinese replacement airbag inflators. These inflators, likely illegally imported, have been linked to two recent fatalities in crashes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co. Ltd. These inflators have reportedly malfunctioned during crashes, ejecting large metal fragments that can cause severe injuries to drivers, including damage to the chest, neck, eyes, and face.
According to NHTSA, these faulty inflators have been involved in ten crashes, resulting in eight deaths and two serious injuries. Alarmingly, the agency noted that the crashes that led to these fatalities were deemed “survivable.” This raises serious concerns about the safety of vehicles equipped with these substandard components.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it opened an investigation into inflators made in China by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co. Ltd. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)
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The vehicles involved in these tragic accidents had their original equipment airbags replaced with these substandard inflators following previous crashes. The known incidents primarily involved Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata models, many of which had salvage or rebuilt titles. However, NHTSA cautions that the risk may extend beyond these specific makes and models.
In response to the situation, NHTSA is urging the auto repair industry to remain vigilant and report any information regarding these dangerous inflators. The agency emphasizes the importance of ensuring that replacement airbags are genuine and meet safety standards.
The vehicles that were involved in the accidents all had their original equipment airbags replaced with substandard airbags after a previous crash. (Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
The manufacturer has openly acknowledged on its website that these inflators are prohibited from sale in the U.S. NHTSA has stated, “Whoever is bringing them into the country and installing them is putting American families in danger.”
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The agency is also advising vehicle owners and prospective buyers to thoroughly check their vehicle’s history and ensure that it is equipped with genuine airbag inflators. If a driver has been involved in a recent crash where the airbag deployed, they should take their vehicle in for inspection immediately to ensure a “replacement equivalent to the original,” as per NHTSA guidelines.
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NHTSA is urging vehicle owners and buyers to learn their vehicle’s history and ensure the vehicle has genuine airbag inflators. (Reuters/Kamil Krzaczynski/File Photo)
For vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles, which indicates they were previously damaged and repaired, it is particularly crucial to have them inspected. NHTSA advises that any vehicle equipped with these faulty inflators should not be driven until they are replaced.
Vehicle owners can reach out to NHTSA online or via the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, for further assistance.
Panelists break down Alphabet’s stock surge driven by A.I. momentum and weigh Google’s Waymo against Tesla in the race for autonomous driving on ‘Barron’s Roundtable.’
Federal auto regulators are issuing a stern warning to used car buyers and owners regarding “substandard and dangerous” Chinese replacement airbag inflators. These inflators, likely illegally imported, have been linked to two recent fatalities in crashes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co. Ltd. These inflators have reportedly malfunctioned during crashes, ejecting large metal fragments that can cause severe injuries to drivers, including damage to the chest, neck, eyes, and face.
According to NHTSA, these faulty inflators have been involved in ten crashes, resulting in eight deaths and two serious injuries. Alarmingly, the agency noted that the crashes that led to these fatalities were deemed “survivable.” This raises serious concerns about the safety of vehicles equipped with these substandard components.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it opened an investigation into inflators made in China by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co. Ltd. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)
FORD NAMED NO. 1 MOST ICONIC AMERICAN COMPANY IN NATIONWIDE SURVEY: ‘MAKING PEOPLE’S LIVES BETTER’
The vehicles involved in these tragic accidents had their original equipment airbags replaced with these substandard inflators following previous crashes. The known incidents primarily involved Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata models, many of which had salvage or rebuilt titles. However, NHTSA cautions that the risk may extend beyond these specific makes and models.
In response to the situation, NHTSA is urging the auto repair industry to remain vigilant and report any information regarding these dangerous inflators. The agency emphasizes the importance of ensuring that replacement airbags are genuine and meet safety standards.
The vehicles that were involved in the accidents all had their original equipment airbags replaced with substandard airbags after a previous crash. (Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
The manufacturer has openly acknowledged on its website that these inflators are prohibited from sale in the U.S. NHTSA has stated, “Whoever is bringing them into the country and installing them is putting American families in danger.”
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROPOSES SCRAPPING AUTOMATED TRAFFIC CAMERAS IN DC
The agency is also advising vehicle owners and prospective buyers to thoroughly check their vehicle’s history and ensure that it is equipped with genuine airbag inflators. If a driver has been involved in a recent crash where the airbag deployed, they should take their vehicle in for inspection immediately to ensure a “replacement equivalent to the original,” as per NHTSA guidelines.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
NHTSA is urging vehicle owners and buyers to learn their vehicle’s history and ensure the vehicle has genuine airbag inflators. (Reuters/Kamil Krzaczynski/File Photo)
For vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles, which indicates they were previously damaged and repaired, it is particularly crucial to have them inspected. NHTSA advises that any vehicle equipped with these faulty inflators should not be driven until they are replaced.
Vehicle owners can reach out to NHTSA online or via the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, for further assistance.
