Economy

mahatmakanejeeves

(68,716 posts) Sat Jan 31, 2026, 01:34 PM Saturday

No One Knows How Many Deadly Air Bags Are on U.S. Roads

The Wall Street Journal
‪@wsj.com‬

After nine confirmed deaths in car accidents in which cheap, Chinese-made air-bag parts blew apart—including two in the past two months—federal regulators issued a safety warning.

No One Knows How Many Deadly Air Bags Are on U.S. Roads
At least nine people have died in what should have been survivable crashes after air-bag parts from China ruptured, a federal regulator said.
on.wsj.com
7:48 AM · Jan 31, 2026

After nine confirmed deaths in car accidents in which cheap, Chinese-made air-bag parts blew apartâ€”including two in the past two monthsâ€”federal regulators issued a safety warning.
— The Wall Street Journal (@wsj.com) 2026-01-31T12:48:40.875270Z

7 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

No One Knows How Many Deadly Air Bags Are on U.S. Roads (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Saturday OP

why would we not know where these bags are? stopdiggin Saturday #1

Answers are in the link from NHTSA in my reply below. rog Saturday #5

appreciated. - -(nt)- stopdiggin Saturday #7

This is all I have so far. TWSJ. is subscription. mahatmakanejeeves Saturday #2

That worries the hell out of me bucolic_frolic Saturday #3

Detailed informative article from NHTSA here. rog Saturday #4

Thank you. That filled in the blanks for me. - - - -(nt)- stopdiggin Saturday #6

stopdiggin

(15,151 posts)

1. why would we not know where these bags are?

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

Sat Jan 31, 2026, 01:49 PM

Saturday

Are they an aftermarket product? And - are a substantial number of vehicles returned to the road after air bag crashes?

rog

(926 posts)

5. Answers are in the link from NHTSA in my reply below.

Reply to stopdiggin (Reply #1)

Sat Jan 31, 2026, 04:13 PM

Saturday

n/t

stopdiggin

(15,151 posts)

7. appreciated. - -(nt)-

Reply to rog (Reply #5)

Sat Jan 31, 2026, 06:13 PM

Saturday

mahatmakanejeeves

(68,716 posts)

2. This is all I have so far. TWSJ. is subscription.

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

Sat Jan 31, 2026, 01:51 PM

Saturday

I'll dig up some more on this.

bucolic_frolic

(54,419 posts)

3. That worries the hell out of me

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

Sat Jan 31, 2026, 02:29 PM

Saturday

I don't have air bags but worry about getting some. And if there's a psychiatric condition surrounding claustrophobia and air bags, I'm in line. I mean, Bridges worry me. So many bridges, safe as can be 110 years old, inspected by divers every 18 months.

Worst was the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. Can't see the other side.

rog

(926 posts)

4. Detailed informative article from NHTSA here.

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

Sat Jan 31, 2026, 04:08 PM

Saturday

What to Know: Deadly Air Bag Replacements
Substandard, dangerous air bag inflators manufactured in China have caused deaths and injuries in the United States

https://www.nhtsa.gov/air-bags/deadly-air-bag-replacements-dtn

Overview

There is an urgent warning for anyone driving a vehicle that has previously been involved in a crash where the air bags deployed. NHTSA is investigating replacement air bag inflators from China that were installed in vehicles in the United States and are responsible for numerous deaths and injuries.

stopdiggin

(15,151 posts)

6. Thank you. That filled in the blanks for me. - - - -(nt)-

Reply to rog (Reply #4)

Sat Jan 31, 2026, 06:12 PM

Saturday

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