A China-sourced airbag inflator has now been linked to 11 road fatalities in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with the latest death involving a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox in Dallas.
NHTSA Confirms 11th Fatality
The NHTSA has confirmed another fatality associated with the faulty airbag part, bringing the total number of road deaths linked to the inflator to 11. The agency believes the part in question is an airbag inflator sourced from China.
Of the 11 fatalities, 10 involved General Motors (GM) vehicles. The latest incident occurred on August 27, 2026, in Dallas, where the driver was operating a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox.
According to the NHTSA, the crash would have been survivable if the inflator had functioned properly. The vehicle had previously undergone an inflator replacement service in which a defective unit was installed.
During the crash, the replacement inflator ruptured and sent metal fragments into the vehicle’s occupant, resulting in the driver’s death.
Defective Inflator Linked to Multiple Vehicles
The affected part is identified as DTN60DB. It was initially linked to 10 deaths involving Chevrolet Malibu vehicles, while three severe injury incidents were associated with the Hyundai Sonata.
The Chevrolet Equinox case represents the first reported incident involving a model outside those two vehicles.
The NHTSA says DTN60DB inflators “pose a serious risk of injury or death” because they can explode rather than properly inflate the airbag. When an inflator explodes, metal fragments can strike occupants in the eyes, neck, chest and face.
Manufacturer Disputes the Claims
The Chinese manufacturer identified in connection with the part, DTN, says it cannot be proven that the inflators involved were manufactured by the company.
DTN also maintains that it cannot be proven that the accidents were caused by the defective airbag inflators.
NHTSA Bans DTN60DB
Regardless of the manufacturer’s claims, the NHTSA has banned the importation and sale of DTN60DB inflators.
The agency also advises used-vehicle buyers to ask whether a vehicle has previously been involved in an accident and, when possible, have the inflators properly inspected.
The latest fatality adds to the NHTSA’s tally of deaths linked to DTN60DB and highlights the consequences associated with the defective airbag inflator.
