NHTSA ties 11th US death to banned airbag inflator as maker disputes blame

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says a driver killed in an Aug. 27 crash in Dallas was the 11th U.S. death linked to a defective Chinese-made replacement air-bag inflator and the first involving a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The inflators, marked DTN60DB, can rupture during a crash and propel metal fragments at drivers; regulators say the crashes would otherwise have been survivable. The 13 documented incidents also include 10 earlier deaths and three serious injuries involving Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata vehicles. NHTSA has banned the inflators and urges owners of used vehicles that experienced an air-bag deployment, particularly since 2020, to have the system inspected by a qualified mechanic and avoid driving if a DTN60DB inflator is found. Manufacturer Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System, or DTN, disputes that its products caused the injuries and deaths, suggesting counterfeit parts, improper installation or other component defects could be responsible.