If a crash repair involved airbag replacement, arrange a qualified inspection. If a DTN60DB inflator is confirmed, do not drive until it is replaced properly.
What to know
NHTSA’s September 3 alert reports an eleventh U.S. death associated with a dangerous DTN60DB replacement airbag inflator. The agency identifies a Chevrolet Equinox in the latest incident and describes earlier incidents involving other models.
The warning concerns replacement equipment installed after the original driver airbag deployed. It is not a claim that every factory airbag in those vehicle models is defective. NHTSA urges owners of potentially affected repaired vehicles to seek a reputable mechanic’s inspection.
A vehicle-history report can help identify a past crash, but it does not authenticate the parts used during repair. A VIN recall lookup also cannot establish that a replacement inflator is genuine. Do not attempt to inspect an airbag yourself; qualified diagnosis matters here.
Review the used-car buying checklistOriginal analysis and practical guidance based on the linked sources. Lead source published September 3, 2026; checked October 13, 2026.