U.S. Considers Permanent Ban on Chinese Air Bag Inflators After Fatalities

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is considering a permanent ban on Chinese replacement air bag inflators by DTN after 10 fatal crashes. These incidents, involving GM and Hyundai vehicles since May 2023, were due to illegally imported components causing ruptures.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Thursday its consideration of a permanent ban on certain Chinese-made replacement air bag inflators. This decision follows multiple fatal crashes linked to these inflators.

The inflators, produced by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co Ltd (DTN), have been implicated in 12 serious incidents in the U.S. since May 2023. These incidents have resulted in deaths or serious injuries due to ruptures.

All reported fatalities occurred in GM or Hyundai vehicles, suggesting a potential safety risk associated with these replacements, which may have been illegally imported.

(With inputs from agencies.)