69 of the
3,269 complaints filed about the Mazda CX-5
are about the airbag system —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2016.
My 2021 Mazda CX-5 has developed a persistent rattling/vibration noise from the A-pillar and upper corner of the windshield. The noise appears to originate from the windshield/A-pillar attachment area and may be related to improper adhesion, mounting, weatherstripping, or other components near the top of the windshield. I have found numerous similar owner reports involving Mazda CX-5 and other fourth-generation Mazda models describing rattling, clicking, or vibration from the same windshield/A-pillar area. Because this issue appears to affect a significant number of vehicles, I believe NHTSA should investigate whether there is a common manufacturing or assembly defect and determine whether a manufacturer repair campaign or recall is warranted.
NHTSA complaint #11755858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am reporting a safety defect in my 2019 Mazda CX‑5 involving the heated seats and airbag system. The vehicle was bought certified pre‑owned with a warranty up to 100,000 miles included in the sale. Around March, at about 82,000 miles, the heated seats began causing electrical problems, and I was told this fault could affect the airbag system and that the airbags might not deploy in a crash. I have taken the car to a Mazda dealer four times and the issue has not been fixed; the dealer disconnected the heated seats and now claims they are “aftermarket,” even though they were on the car when I bought it and were never disclosed as aftermarket. I am now at about 87,000 miles, still within the warranty, and facing a large repair bill while Mazda corporate and the dealers refuse to correct this safety‑related defect under warranty. I am asking NHTSA to record this complaint and consider investigating similar issues with Mazda heated seats and possible airbag non‑deployment.
NHTSA complaint #11746027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 06/18/2026, the vehicle displayed multiple safety warnings, including ABS malfunction, dynamic stability control/traction control malfunction, Smart Brake Support and Forward Obstruction Warning disabled, possible forward sensing camera malfunction, and airbag/seat belt pre-tensioner malfunction. These warnings involve braking, stability control, collision avoidance, airbag, and seat belt safety systems. This was not the first occurrence. On 04/24/2025, the vehicle displayed similar warnings, including critical brake system/Electronic Brake Force Distribution malfunction, ABS malfunction, Smart Brake Support and Forward Obstruction Warning disabled, possible forward sensing camera malfunction, and keyless entry malfunction. The vehicle was towed at that time. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Mazda dealer in June 2026. The dealer replaced the battery under warranty, but I was not provided diagnostic trouble codes, a root-cause explanation, or written confirmation that the braking, ABS, airbag/seat belt, stability control, Smart Brake Support, Forward Obstruction Warning, and forward sensing/camera systems were fully diagnosed and verified safe. The dealer inspection report also listed the mileage as “No Mileage.” The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I do not feel safe driving it because the repeated warnings involve braking, collision avoidance, stability control, airbags, and seat belt systems. I am concerned that an electrical, braking, or safety-control defect may disable safety systems while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11745244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Last week, the airbag warning light illuminated on my dashboard. Please be aware that this marks the fourth occurrence of this issue. Each time I bring the vehicle to the dealership, they provide a different explanation, and I am required to cover the repair costs. I have been informed that the vehicles were manufactured with a defect, causing the wiring harness to corrode at the junction where the temperature sensor connects to the engine, which measures the coolant temperature. Additionally, on two occasions, I was told that the wire had disconnected from the airbag connector. During my most recent visit to the dealership on 5/21/26, I was informed that an item in my glove compartment had dislodged the wire from the passenger side airbag module. This situation is extremely concerning, as it suggests that the wire can easily fall out or become loose from the airbag, given that there is no barrier between the glove compartment and the airbag. It is important to note that this issue arises each time I start the vehicle while it is stationary, and this vehicle has never been involved in an accident nor have the airbags been deployed.
NHTSA complaint #11739407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Air bag light is flashing in the dashboard. It says passenger air bag off. Driver seatbelt doesn't always click when trying to fastent seatbelt. I have to try multiple times until it clicks.
NHTSA complaint #11730087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Airbag light is flashing. Independent shop found code B00C1:93-8B. OCS Sensor B. Shop sent owner to dealer for inspection & repair. Charged $57.24. Dealer found DTC B00C1 passenger seat occupant classification sensor b. Replacement cost for the part $1,110.13, plus shop fess and tax for a total repair cost of this critical safety item would be $1,197.29. I did not have this service performed due to the high price. This safety item should be covered by the manufacturer. I recently learned that a dealer may not sell a car with this safety issue so I want it fixed and covered by Mazda.
NHTSA complaint #11724666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Airbags failed to deploy in a collision where the front end of the vehicle was crushed, and a driver wearing a seat belt hit the steering wheel with enough force to fracture their sternum and cause two cervical fractures as well.
NHTSA complaint #11724515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was entering a traffic circle when i slid slightly as there was some ice on the roadway and came to rest against a curb, bumped lightly. There was no damage to the vehicle, but the entire driver side curtain airbags as well as the driver seat airbag deployed. The speed at which I was traveling was roughly 10 mph or less. My wheels never hit hard nor did they leave the pavement.
NHTSA complaint #11709239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owned a 2024 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's vehicle was rear-ended. The front driver's side seat belt restraint did not function as intended. The contact's daughter was pushed forward out of the front driver's seat without restraint. The contact stated that the driver's side headrest detached due to the impact, and the back of the front driver's side seat fractured and detached. In addition, the air bag did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss by the insurance company. A Police report was filed. The contact's daughter was transported by ambulance to the local medical center. The contact's daughter sustained injuries to the right arm and right leg, severe back pain, massive headaches, and whiplash. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11699243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The airbag warning light is on. I’m concerned the airbag may not deploy in an accident. There was a recall on the airbag, but the dealership only reset the light and did not replace the airbag. I have taken my car to two different Mazda dealerships: One told me I would have to pay for the airbag replacement. The other said the airbag is functioning properly. I’m not sure which one is correct, but the warning light continues to come on. Sometimes it stays on for a couple of days; other times, it flashes on and off intermittently. The airbag light is clearly visible on the dashboard and continues to behave abnormally.
NHTSA complaint #11693849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While traveling on an Interstate highway, my passenger side curtain airbag suddenly deployed without any warning while I was driving. There was no collision or impact, there was no debris on the road, or any significant bumps in the road. There was a very loud explosive sound and then my entire passenger side was covered in blue. The sound was so loud that it left my ears ringing and left me badly shaken up. I lost all visibility out of my passenger side as all of my side windows and mirrors were obscured, and I knew there was traffic in that lane along side of me. It felt very dangerous and I had to rely on my lane change sensors to safely pull to the side to assess any damage. There was no evident sign of any impact to my car. All of the glass was intact, there were no scratches, dents or missing paint. The airbag fully deployed for no apparent reason and I was extremely lucky that I was not injured and that my reaction did not cause an accident when this happened. The car was taken to a Mazda dealership to assess, and they did not find any damage either, but said there was no mechanical error on the part of the car, so it is still unexplained. I had it evaluated by an autobody/collision shop, again no damage was determined, their scan showed a diagnostic code that there was a "circuit short to ground".
NHTSA complaint #11682340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving as normal and the passenger side airbags deployed with a cause. I was driving about 25mph. I didn’t hit anything; no event occurred that would have caused the air bag to deploy. I took the car to a dealer and they recorded the event log which showed a crash but the car clearly did not get into an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11682284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving down the road and my right side curtain airbag deployed. I did let my insurance company know but was told that they couldn’t do anything for me since it was not an accident. I called the local Mazda dealership and they told me that they could inspect the vehicle but it would not be on them. That it could have been a rat that chewed on something to cause it to deploy because I was not the first owner of the vehicle. There was no other damage other than the airbag and where it came through on the side.
NHTSA complaint #11670101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
-Passenger side air bags deployed for no reason on May 19, 2025 at 1945h. -Driver safety compromised due to shock, momentary loss of hearing, disorientation while driving. -Other drivers safety compromised due to driver having to react, re-orient themselves and drive to safety. -Culver City Mazda dealership ran diagnostic. Conclusion: air bags deployed due to pressure. NO OTHER conclusions regarding system error, software error, ignitor, sensors or vehicle impact. -Police inspected vehicle at time of incident. No damage was observed or reported. -NO warning lamps or messages appeared prior to passenger air bag deployment.
NHTSA complaint #11662241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the air bag connector. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred 9,000 miles later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who again diagnosed a failure with the air bag connector. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 24,000.
NHTSA complaint #11649339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving to Home Depot after work around 6PM PST on [XXX] and must have fallen asleep at the wheel about a.1/4 of a mile from my house and left the road way after a turn. I hit my head so hard I had to be treated for a head injury and the car dialed 911 for me to report a crash. The airbags nor any other safety system triggered besides detecting a crash and dialing 911. My car was deemed totalled by insurance and had to go to the hospital. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11630840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.