Garrett Motion Turbochargers power more diesel engines on the road today than almost any other brand, and the company behind them has one of the longest track records in forced induction. If you’ve turned a wrench on a modern medium- or heavy-duty diesel, you’ve handled Garrett hardware, whether you knew it or not. Understanding where this company came from, and what its recent restructuring means for parts availability, helps you make smarter buying decisions for your fleet or shop.
At PT Turbo, we’ve been supplying and rebuilding turbochargers since 1978, more than 45 years of watching this industry evolve. We stock both new and remanufactured Garrett components, so we know firsthand how the acquisition shook out for parts supply. Here’s the real story.
The History of Garrett Motion
Garrett’s roots go back to 1936, when Cliff Garrett founded the Garrett Corporation in Los Angeles. The company started in aircraft components and aerospace systems, which is exactly why its turbo engineering has always been a cut above. Boosting an aircraft engine at altitude demands precision that translates directly to diesel truck applications.
By the 1950s, Garrett’s AiResearch division was building turbochargers for commercial and industrial diesel engines. When the first turbo-diesel passenger cars and heavy trucks needed reliable forced induction, Garrett was already there with proven hardware.
The brand went through several corporate parents over the decades. It became part of AlliedSignal, then Honeywell after the 1999 merger. For nearly two decades, “Honeywell Turbo Technologies” was the name on the boxes, but the Garrett name never disappeared from the actual castings and the engineering DNA stayed intact.
The 2018 Spin-Off and Restructuring
In 2018, Honeywell spun off its transportation systems business as an independent, publicly traded company called Garrett Motion Inc. This put the Garrett name back front and center where it belonged. The new company inherited a massive portfolio of OEM contracts, aftermarket parts, and variable-geometry turbo technology.
Then things got complicated. Garrett Motion carried a heavy debt load and asbestos-related liabilities from its Honeywell days. In 2020, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to reorganize that debt. This is the “acquisition” event that has many fleet owners and mechanics asking questions.
What the Acquisition and Bankruptcy Actually Mean for Parts
Let’s clear up the biggest worry right away: Garrett did not go out of business. The 2020 Chapter 11 filing was a financial restructuring, not a liquidation. The company emerged from bankruptcy in 2021 with new ownership backing, primarily investment firms including Centerbridge Partners and Oaktree Capital, and continued operating as normal.
For you as a buyer, the practical impact has been minimal. Garrett Motion still manufactures OEM turbochargers, still supplies the aftermarket, and still honors its warranty programs. You can verify current product lines directly at Garrett Motion’s official site.
Where the restructuring did create ripples was in supply chain timing and pricing on certain legacy part numbers. Some older units were phased out faster than expected, which is exactly why a good reman program matters more than ever. When a new OEM unit is backordered or discontinued, a properly rebuilt turbo keeps your truck earning.
New vs Remanufactured: How the Acquisition Changed the Math
With some new Garrett part numbers seeing longer lead times post-restructuring, remanufactured units have become the smart-money choice for many older platforms. Here’s how the two options compare on the parts that matter.
| Factor | New Garrett OEM | Remanufactured Garrett |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | Full retail (highest) | 40 to 60 percent less |
| Availability on legacy units | Some discontinued or backordered | Consistently stocked |
| Core components | All new | New CHRA, bearings, seals; inspected housings |
| Balancing | Factory VSR balanced | VSR balanced to OEM spec |
| Warranty | Manufacturer warranty | Shop warranty (varies) |
Our remanufactured turbochargers are built to the same tolerances as new units, with new bearings, seals, and balanced cartridges. If your current unit is worth saving, our turbocharger rebuild service restores it to spec for less than a new purchase.
Garrett Motion Turbochargers: Key Components and Actuators
One area where the restructuring had zero effect is the availability of wear components like actuators. These are the parts that fail long before a turbo cartridge does, and keeping the right one on the shelf saves you a full turbo replacement.
The pneumatic actuator controls wastegate or variable-geometry vane position. When it fails, you get overboost, underboost, or limp-mode codes. Replacing the actuator alone is often the entire fix.
For many Garrett applications, the 757979-5102 pneumatic actuator is the correct replacement. It’s available from PT Turbo for $240.94, view the Garrett Pneumatic Actuator 757979-5102 here. This is a common failure point on VGT-equipped diesels where soot buildup increases the load on the actuator arm.
For higher-output and heavier-duty Garrett applications, the 445963-0040 actuator handles the job at $465.52, view the Garrett Pneumatic Actuator 445963-0040 here. Always match the part number to your specific turbo casting, since actuator preload and rod length vary between models.
Mitsubishi Actuators for Mixed Fleets
Plenty of shops run mixed fleets with both Garrett and Mitsubishi turbos. We stock the crossover parts too. The TD03 pneumatic actuator (49S3118761) covers many light and medium Mitsubishi TD03 applications at $104.33, view the Mitsubishi TD03 Actuator 49S3118761 here.
For other Mitsubishi platforms, the 4918918935 actuator is the budget-friendly correct fit at $83.99, view the Mitsubishi Pneumatic Actuator 4918918935 here. Diagnosing an actuator before condemning the whole turbo is one of the fastest ways to cut a repair bill in half.
Garrett VGT Technology and Emissions Systems
What separates Garrett from many competitors is its lead in variable-geometry turbocharger (VGT) technology. VGT units use moving vanes to adjust the effective aspect ratio of the turbine housing, delivering strong low-end response and controlled high-rpm boost from a single turbo.
This matters because modern emissions systems depend on precise exhaust control. VGT turbos work hand in hand with exhaust gas recirculation and diesel particulate filter systems to manage backpressure during regeneration cycles. When a VGT actuator sticks from soot, it throws the whole emissions strategy off.
If you’re comparing Garrett against other major brands, our Borg Warner turbocharger fitment guide breaks down where each brand excels. Both are top-tier, and the right choice usually comes down to the specific engine platform.
Matching the Right Garrett Turbo to Your Engine
Garrett builds turbos across nearly every diesel output range. Getting the correct unit means matching by horsepower rating, engine family, and emissions configuration. Sizing the wrong turbo costs you response, fuel economy, and sometimes the warranty.
We’ve published output-specific guides to help you nail the fitment on common applications:
- 105HP Turbocharger Guide covers symptoms and replacement parts for that output class.
- 121HP Turbocharger Guide walks through diagnosis and best parts.
- 150HP Turbocharger Guide details higher-output replacement options.
If you’re unsure which Garrett unit or actuator your engine needs, send us your casting numbers and we’ll cross-reference them. You can reach our team through the PT Turbo contact page, or browse the full catalog at our shop. With 45+ years in the business and both new and remanufactured stock on the shelf, we usually have your part ready to ship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Garrett Motion go out of business after the bankruptcy?
No. Garrett Motion filed Chapter 11 in 2020 to restructure debt inherited from its Honeywell spin-off, then emerged in 2021 under new financial backing. The company still manufactures OEM turbochargers and supplies the aftermarket. Parts availability on current production lines remains strong.
Are remanufactured Garrett turbochargers as reliable as new ones?
When rebuilt correctly, yes. A quality reman uses a new center cartridge, new bearings and seals, inspected hous
Cross-Reference & Superseded Part Numbers
The turbochargers covered in this article match or supersede the following OEM and manufacturer part numbers. If you are searching by part number, these are the units stocked by PT Turbo for this application:
445963-0040 • 446131-0011 • 446131-0023 • 446131-0042 • 446131-0046 • 446131-0048 • 451764-0003 • 451764-0015 • 451764-0025 • 451764-0036 • 451764-0039 • 451764-0041 • 451764-0045 • 451764-0050 • 452603-0001 • 452603-0002 • 452603-0010 • 452603-0022 • 452603-0031 • 452603-0045 • 452603-0048 • 452603-0049 • 452603-0051 • 452603-0052 • 452603-0058 • 452603-0062 • 452603-0066 • 452603-0069 • 452603-0070 • 712921-0070 • 712921-0089 • 716991-0001 • 729592-0005 • 729592-0006 • 729592-0008 • 750685-0017 • 750685-0019 • 750686-0019 • 750686-0020 • 757979-0002 • 757979-5102 • 836026-5006S • PTT-C30-020 • PTT-C30-025 • PTT-S60-002 • PTT-SUB-096 • PTT-SUB-100 • PTT-SUB-105 • PTT-TBO-003 • PTT-TBO-067 • PTT-TBO-107 • PTT-TBO-450 • PTT-TBO-455 • PTT-TBO-490 • PTT-TBO-495 • PTT-TBO-602 • PTT-TBO-604 • PTT-TBO-607 • PTT-TBO-612 • PTT-TBO-614 • PTT-TBO-617 • PTT-TBO-618 • PTT-TBO-620 • PTT-TBO-752 • PTT-TBO-753 • PTT-TBO-763 • PTT-TBO-764 • PTT-TBO-769 • PTT-TBO-770 • PTT-TBO-794 • PTT-TBO-795 • PTT-TBO-817 • PTT-TBO-818 • PTT-TBO-826 • PTT-TBO-828 • PTT-TBO-840 • PTT-TBO-841 • PTT-TBO-849 • PTT-TBO-851 • PTT-TBO-889 • PTT-TBO-890 • PTT-TBO-898 • PTT-TBO-899 • PTT-TBO-911 • PTT-TBO-915 • PTT-TBO-916 • PTT-TBO-B34 • PTT-TBO-B35 • PTT-TBO-C15 • PTT-TBO-C16 • PTT-TBO-F83 • PTT-TBO-F84 • PTT-TBO-G27 • PTT-TBO-N23 • PTT-TBO-N24 • PTT-TBO-R94 • PTT-TBO-R95 • PTT-TBO-R96 • PTT-WGT-037 • PTT-WGT-108
Can’t find your number above? Contact PT Turbo — our team has been matching part numbers since 1978.
Need a Turbocharger?
PT Turbo has rebuilt and sold turbochargers since 1978. We stock remanufactured units for Cummins, Duramax, Power Stroke, Detroit Diesel, and more — backed by a 12-month unlimited mileage warranty and same-week shipping from San Bernardino, CA.
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