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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation into defective airbag inflators believed to be responsible for multiple deaths and injuries in the United States. Early findings indicate that substandard components, reportedly imported illegally, may have caused at least 10 fatalities and two serious injuries in recent years.
The agency said the incidents occurred across 12 separate crashes over the past three years, all involving frontal driver-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Safety Technology Co., Ltd.. The inflators are reported to have ruptured during deployment, sending metal fragments into vehicle occupants, according to Jalopnik.
The issue has drawn comparisons to the earlier Takata airbag recall, in which defective inflators caused widespread injuries and deaths. Similar to that case, the ruptures in these newer inflators appear to create high-speed shrapnel, posing severe risks to drivers.
Known incidents so far have involved vehicles including the Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata. However, regulators have stated that there is not yet enough evidence to determine whether the issue is limited to these models or more widespread across other vehicles.
The investigation began in October of the previous year, but authorities have faced challenges in determining the full scope of the problem. Officials believe the inflators entered the US through unidentified import channels, limiting their ability to track distribution or estimate how many vehicles may be affected.
Because airbags are not visible during normal vehicle use and only deploy during collisions, identifying defective units can be difficult. The NHTSA has advised vehicle owners, particularly those who purchased used cars, to verify repair histories and ensure that any replaced airbags meet original safety standards.
Regulators are continuing to assess whether additional measures, including a potential sales ban on the inflators, may be necessary. The agency is also required to gather public input and allow the manufacturer an opportunity to respond as part of the investigative process.
In the meantime, authorities have encouraged individuals who suspect their vehicles may contain the affected components to report concerns through official channels, including federal law enforcement or vehicle safety hotlines.
The findings highlight ongoing risks in automotive supply chains, particularly when safety-critical components are sourced outside regulated channels. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.