Federal safety regulators are investigating a surge in risky counterfeit airbags linked to at least five deaths and seven injuries in the United States. [[2]] The fraudulent airbags, manufactured by Chinese company DTN Airbags, are often sold online at considerably discounted prices, posing a severe risk to vehicle occupants due to possibly explosive and improperly designed inflators-a situation echoing the widespread Takata airbag recall. [[1]] The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is warning consumers and repair shops about the dangers of these non-compliant parts.
Five Deaths Reported in U.S. Linked to Counterfeit Airbags; Online Sales a Concern
At least five deaths in the United States have been attributed to injuries caused by low-cost, counterfeit airbags manufactured by Chinese company DTN Airbags. Despite the company’s claims that it does not sell products directly in the U.S., evidence suggests otherwise, raising concerns about the distribution of potentially dangerous automotive parts.
The unfolding situation echoes the Takata airbag scandal, which impacted up to 100 million vehicles from numerous automakers and triggered massive recalls. This new issue, however, originates in China, according to reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
NHTSA reports a growing number of counterfeit airbags are being discovered in vehicles across the U.S. These are often inexpensive imitations of established brands.
According to the Wall Street Journal, these fraudulent parts can sell for as little as one-tenth the price of genuine airbags, attracting consumers and repair shops seeking cost savings.
The danger lies in the potential for these counterfeit airbags to inflate with excessive force, causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants. NHTSA has linked these faulty airbags to seven incidents in the past year, resulting in five fatalities. Investigators believe the counterfeit airbags contain volatile compounds that can ignite upon deployment.
While the specific substances involved haven’t been disclosed, the issue bears similarities to the wet ammonium nitrate that caused the explosive failures in the Takata airbag inflators.
“These counterfeit parts are often made with low-quality materials and are more likely to fail because they are imitations of original product designs,” said Bob Stewart, president of the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council and head of safety at General Motors.
The manufacturer at the center of the controversy is Detiannuo Safety Technology, operating as DTN Airbags, based in Jilin Province, China. The company maintains on its website that it does not export products to the United States.
“Our products are not allowed to be sold in the U.S.,” the company states on its website.
However, it appears some repair facilities are installing these airbags “without authorization” from the company. Individual consumers are also able to purchase the parts online and have them shipped to the U.S., either to save money or through repair shops following an accident.
“Anyone who imports these defective Chinese parts into the U.S. and installs them is putting American families at risk and committing a serious crime,” stated U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
The exact number of vehicles in the U.S. and Europe equipped with these defective airbags remains unknown. The increasing prevalence of China-made vehicles in Europe adds to the concern.
While DTN Airbags lacks the necessary type approval for imports into Europe, this doesn’t preclude the availability of the parts through independent repair shops across the continent.
A Market for Counterfeit and Low-Cost Parts
Online platforms like AliExpress and Alibaba host marketplaces for airbags and sensors sold without proper certification. Importers often misclassify these products as “auto parts” or “accessories” to avoid stricter controls. These products are not approved for use in vehicles operating within the European Union.
The use of such parts could lead to insurance claim denials and potential criminal liability in the event of an accident.
