25 of the
202 complaints filed about the Mazda MX-5
are about the airbag system —
12% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2006.
Recall has been open for two years and Mazda still hasn't provided the tools to dealerships to fix it. Mazda keeps emailing to go to a dealership but they they have to turn you away as they are unable to repair the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11744243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mazda and NHTSA have sent out multiple notices calling owner to go to dealers to have the recall remediated. If one schedules to go to a dealership they are informed that Mazda does not yet have a tool available to remedy the issue. I've been on a waiting list for over 4 months and no tool is available yet. Since this appears to be a software issue it's very concerning that it's taking this long to create a "tool" to resolve an airbag issue.
NHTSA complaint #11737415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On [XXX] my [XXX] son was driving the vehicle and at low speed (30 mph or under) lost control of the vehicle in a turn. The vehicle hit a telephone pole that was rotted from termite infestation which shattered into three pieces (one piece landing on the cars windshield frame and driver roll bar hoop) . He impacted the airbags and had an unstable anterior fracture of the c5 vertebrae and a stable posterior fracture of the C5 vertebrae. He was graded an Asia B spinal cord injury and was paralyzed from the neck down. He spent 42 days in trauma ICU and then Neuro Rehab learning how to walk and use the bathroom. He has many lingering effects and still has loss of use of fingers on both hands as well as difficulties walking and gripping objects. His passenger did not hit the airbags and was uninjured. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11665240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda MX-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V695000 (AIR BAGS); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the bumper of a parked 2001 Lexus LS400 was crashed into and the vehicle came to a stop. There was damage to the contact's license plate holder and the other vehicle bumper. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver’s and passenger’s side air bags deployed in the minor collision. No police report was filed. The contact did not sustain any injuries. No one else was injured. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer did not want to repair the recall per the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11653763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Airbag recall mail received from Mazda, when trying to book online mazdausa.com service depart denies vehicle has a recall and refused to schedule appointment
NHTSA complaint #11625369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Contacted Rohrich Mazda 2690 W Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh Pa 412.344.3600 regarding the airbag recall today. They have no knowledge of this recall and therefore I am unable to have it corrected. Is my car safe to drive? When will I be able to get it fixed? Thanks, Bill
NHTSA complaint #11624787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda MX-5. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11616237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was in an accident on May 1st 2022. I was traveling south when another car hit me. The airbags didn't deploy at all none of them did you can see from the pics and video I have attached and hear the audio from my dash cam saying the airbag deployment was detected but no airbags came out. (Dash cam video won't upload but I can email or text it if needed) the car is currently at the Ken garff Honda body shop in Riverdale Utah.
NHTSA complaint #11464904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AS I WAS EXITING A BP GAS STATION (62 GRIFFIN CORPORATION DR, CHELSEA, AL 35043) AND MAKING A RIGHT ONTO COUNTY ROAD 11, THE REAR TIRES OF THE CAR STARTED TO SPIN (1/4 THROTTLE). I NOTICED THAT ABS OR THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE CAR WAS NOT IN "SPORT" MODE. IT WAS IN THE "D" DRIVING MODE. THE REAR TIRES CONTINUED SPINNING AND I FELT THE CAR'S BACK END FISHTAILING. AT THIS POINT, I STARTED TO GET ON THE BRAKES HARD AND TRY TO DO MINOR CORRECTIONS, WHEN I FELT THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT PULSATING, AND THE CAR WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN AT ALL. AT THIS POINT, I WAS FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THE RAILROAD TRACKS THAT WERE ABOUT >500 FT IN FRONT OF ME. I LOOK TO MY RIGHT AND NOTICE THAT I AM ABOUT TO SLIDE INTO THE RAILROAD CROSSING SIGN. THE IMPACT WAS HARD ENOUGH TO WHERE MY RIGHT BUTTOCK ENDED UP NEXT TO THE HANDBRAKE OF THE CAR. MY ARM IS SLIGHTLY BRUISED FROM IT BEING SWUNG TO THE RIGHT AND HITTING THE PASSENGER WINDOW. THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED AT ALL. HOWEVER, THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE CAR IS, LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM SCRATCHED/SCUFFED/DAMAGED, THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR BROKEN OFF, THE PASSENGER DOOR DENTED INWARDS, THE SIDE SKIRT (THE PART THAT RUNS ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR) RIPPED OFF ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND BENT UPWARDS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND FINALLY, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR SILL DENTED/BENT INWARDS. THE PICTURES ATTACHED ARE THE PHOTOS OF MY BRUISE AND THE INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #11378247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 MAZDA MX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH A DEER HIT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE BEFORE CRASHING TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DURING THE INCIDENT AND THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BELTS WERE ENGAGED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED SORENESS AND SCRATCHES HOWEVER NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #11326516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON APRIL 2,2020 ME AND A PASSENGER WERE IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE WE FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN IN THE MX 5 AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR THE DRIVER SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE AND WE WERE HURT VERY BAD AND SHOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT ALFA INSURANCE IS HOLDING THE CAR FOR AN INVESTIGATION. THIS HAPPENED ON HWY.
NHTSA complaint #11324079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR NOT DETECTING PERSONS IN SEAT. AIRBAGS REMAIN TURNED OFF. PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATED, CODE 48 FLASHES ON DASH. COMMON PROBLEM. DOESN'T MATTER IF CAR IS MOVING OR NOT.
NHTSA complaint #11083584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR NOT DETECTING PERSONS IN SEAT. AIRBAGS REMAIN TURNED OFF. PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATED, CODE 48 FLASHES ON DASH. COMMON PROBLEM. DOESN'T MATTER IF CAR IS MOVING OR NOT.
NHTSA complaint #11083584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR NOT DETECTING PERSONS IN SEAT. AIRBAGS REMAIN TURNED OFF. PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATED, CODE 48 FLASHES ON DASH. COMMON PROBLEM. DOESN'T MATTER IF CAR IS MOVING OR NOT.
NHTSA complaint #11083584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FAILED PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR DIAGNOSED BY LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP - PARTS AND LABOR NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO AGE OF CAR. PARTS/LABOR EXCEED $1600 FOR THE REPAIR. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS UNDER 60K MILES, AND RARELY HAS A PASSENGER-SEAT OCCUPANT (SO VERY LITTLE STRESS/WEAR ON THE SEAT) AND HAS HAD NO PHYSICAL OR WATER DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SIMILAR SCENARIO TO THE GM SKY/SOLSTICE VEHICLES - WHERE A LOW VOLUME SPECIALTY VEHICLE DOES NOT GARNER THE ATTENTION. REVIEWING MAZDA FORUMS SHOWS THAT THIS DEFECT IS NOT UNCOMMON, AND SHOULD BE RESEARCHED ON A PROBLEMS PER HUNDRED UNITS BASIS. MY GUESS IS THAT THE PPHU WOULD EXCEED THAT OF OTHER VEHICLES RECALLED FOR SIMILAR ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10991832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT ON 13 NOV 2016 WHEREBY THE VEHICLE ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES DOWN A STEEP INCLINE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. MY SPINAL CORD WAS FRACTURED AND MY SKULL CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #10927258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT SHOWS CODE 22 ON INTERMITTENT BASIS NOT REPEATED DURING MULTIPLE DEALER VISITS. CRITICAL SAFETY SYSTEMS, SUCH AS AIRBAGS, MUST BE MADE TO BE RELIABLE. DEALER INDICATES MAZDA DOES NOT COVER PARTS OR LABOR TO REPAIR, OR PROVIDE ASSURANCE THAT OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE SRS WILL NOT NEED REPAIR ALSO. 20.000 TO 45,000 MILES ON ODOMETER SINCE THIS FIRST AROSE. IGNITION SWITCH FUNCTION ALSO A POTENTIAL CAUSE FOR WARNING LIGHT TO TRIGGER.
NHTSA complaint #10785070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, DYER MAZDA IN VERO BEACH, FL. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE AIRBAG MAY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THEY SAID I NEEDED A PASSENGER WEIGHT SENSOR, A PASSENGER SEAT TRACK ADJUSTER, AND AN SAS UNIT. APPROXIMATELY $2,000 JUST FOR THE PARTS. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, MAZDA, AND AFTER REVIEW, THE MANUFACTURER CONCURRED THAT THE AIRBAG MAY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY UNLESS THESE 3 PARTS WERE REPLACED. MAZDA AGREED TO PAY FOR THE LABOR ONLY, $650, BUT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE $2,000 IN PARTS. MY CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, ONLY 11,752 MILES ON IT. THERE WAS NEVER ANY DAMAGE TO THE PARTS - IMPACT, WATER OR OTHERWISE. SINCE ALL 3 PARTS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE AIRBAG TO WORK PROPERLY, I FEEL MAZDA SHOULD COVER THE COST OF THE PARTS - NOT JUST THE LABOR. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. MAZDA OEM PARTS ARE ONLY WARRANTED FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12000 MILES. SINCE THESE PARTS ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE SAFETY OF THE CAR, I FEEL THESE PARTS SHOULD HAVE A MUCH LONGER WARRANTY - SUCH AS 100,000 MILES - LIKE A POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE EXTENSIVELY ON THE INTERNET - SPECIFICALLY IN MAZDA OWNER FORUMS. THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE FOR MAZDA. THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT FOR YEARS. SINCE THE FAILURE OF THIS PART CAN BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DRIVER DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY, I BELIEVE MAZDA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PRODUCT WORKING PROPERLY FOR MORE THAN 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. ANOTHER CONCERN I HAVE IS THAT IF THE PASSENGER SIDE SENSOR AIRBAG SYSTEM CAN FAIL, THEN THE DRIVER SIDE SYSTEM CAN ALSO FAIL. IF BOTH SYSTEMS FAIL, THE OWNER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER $5,000 IN REPAIRS. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO ASSIST ME TO ENCOURAGE MAZDA TO STAND BY THEIR SAFETY PRODUCTS AND REPLACE THEM IF THEY FAIL. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10671371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.