The US federal government is investigating counterfeit airbag components after a series of crashes revealed severe malfunctions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched the probe following seven incidents linked to defective airbag inflators, five of which were fatal. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that these devices are “deadly.”

The parts under investigation come from Jilin Province Detiannuo Safety Technology (DTN Airbag). Officials allege that DTN’s inflators contain unstable chemicals that may ignite during deployment, causing airbags to inflate violently and uncontrollably.

According to NHTSA, DTN airbags have been connected to seven crashes and five fatalities, one of which occurred as recently as July.

These counterfeit components are sold at very low prices—sometimes as little as one-tenth the cost of genuine parts—and many repair shops unknowingly import and install them. DTN’s products are designed to mimic authentic components but are made with inferior materials, increasing the risk of failure. Bob Stewart, president of the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council and global brand protection manager at GM, stated: “These parts are only copies of the engineering behind genuine products, so they are far more likely to fail.”

The issue first drew public attention in the US after the family of 22-year-old Destiny Byassee filed a lawsuit in Florida. She was killed in a crash while driving her 2020 Chevrolet Malibu at just 30 mph (48 km/h). Investigators found that a counterfeit DTN inflator had been installed, and it exploded “like a grenade,” sending shards of metal and plastic into her neck.

It remains unclear how many vehicles in the US may have been fitted with counterfeit DTN inflators. The company claims its products are banned for sale in the US and insists it does not conduct business in the country.

Source: Carscoops