Items from the Chinese brand DTN look original, but work like grenades in accidents; find out which car models are in the sights of the authorities
The NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has issued a critical safety alert about the circulation of counterfeit airbags made in China. Authorities confirmed that illegal components are already associated with eight deaths and two cases of serious injuries in accidents in the country. The focus of the investigation is on the inflators produced by the Chinese company Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System (DTN).
These pieces enter the black market illicitly and attract buyers for their low cost: they sell for about US$ 100 (approximately R$ 580), a fraction of the value of an original item. The problem mainly affects the aftermarket in independent workshops.
SEE ALSO:
The failure identified in the components of the NTD is described by experts as catastrophic. At the moment of collision, the inflator not only fills the air pocket, but breaks due to the poor quality of the materials, ejecting metal shrapnel directly against the driver’s chest, neck and face. According to the NHTSA, the deaths recorded could have been avoided if the vehicles had been equipped with genuine restraint systems.
The risk is particularly high in used vehicles that have already suffered previous collisions, have been repaired with cheap parts and resold to third parties who do not know the origin of the components. So far, the models most cited in the investigations include the Chevrolet Malibu and the Hyundai Sonata, although authorities warn that the threat could extend to several other brands. It is estimated that about 10,000 defective inflators are in circulation.
The aggravating factor, unlike previous recalls involving manufacturing flaws at major suppliers, is the fraudulent nature: the parts are near-perfect visual copies of the originals, making them difficult to identify by mechanics and lay consumers.
The scenario refers to past crises in the automotive sector, but with the weight of being a deliberate fraud in the supply chain. The express guidance of the US agency is for owners of used cars – especially those with a history of accidents – to carry out an immediate inspection at certified repair shops.
If a component of the DTN brand is identified, the guideline is definitive: suspend the use of the vehicle immediately until the airbag is replaced by an original part. In addition to repair, authorities encourage reporting to trace the entry of these illegal items into the market.
