Mazda Daytime Running Headlights May Not Turn On

Re: NHTSA Campaign 20V063000

Laguna Hills, CA – Feb 6, 2020 – Mazda North American Operations is recalling certain 2016 CX-5 vehicles due to the failure of Daytime Running Lights (DRL) to properly turn on. If the DRL fails to turn on, the exterior visibility of the vehicle may be reduced to other motorists and could result in a crash.

The estimated total of affected vehicles is 36,761.

The Defect

Over 30,000 2016 Mazda CX-5 vehicles are under official recall citing the failure of many Daytime Running Lights (DRL) to turn on while the vehicle is in use. Mazda’s LED DRL are installed to ensure an increased visibility of the vehicle’s exterior during the daytime. If the DRL fails to turn on, the vehicles exterior may be reduced to other motorists and could result in a possible crash or injury. 

The affected LED headlight units were first documented in March 2015 when certain headlight units, installed for vehicles in the Japan market, did not properly illuminated during the testing process. This issue was due to increased damage to the LED circuit by residual static electricity sustained during certain parts of the manufacturing process. Mazda ensured that the issue did not frequently occur but continued to monitor for field occurrences and installed the LED circuit with static electricity resistance properties. Although the improved LED headlight was installed on the vehicles manufactured in Japan, U.S. CX-5 models were not installed with the new headlight. By April 2015, Mazda received reports of U.S. CX-5 models experiencing similar issues as those vehicles which were manufactured in Japan. After an investigation of returned parts in July, 2015, Mazda found similar breaking in the LED circuit as those found in the previous manufacturing process. New LED low sulfur black gasket replaced the previous LED connector sealing gasket, improving a simple aesthetic issue in the headlight locale. In March 2016, Mazda received evidence of two field reports of headlight malfunction outside of Japan. The affected vehicles were manufactured before the LED circuit improvement made during the manufacturing process in March 2015. In September, 2018, Mazda continued to experience similar failures on improved parts and decided to investigate other possible causes of headlight malfunction. In January, 2019, after an extensive investigation, Mazda found the issue to be damage to the LED circuit caused by silver sulfide. The close proximity of the LED circuit to a gray type sealing gasket (a high sulfur gasket attached to the DRL connector) could transfer sulfur to the LED circuit, resulting in malfunction of the DRL. January, 2020, Mazda decided to introduce an official recall to certain MY2016 CX-5 vehicles following pressure from field action in the Japan market.

Solution

Mazda will notify owners on  March 6, 2020 of their vehicle’s official recall. Authorized Mazda dealerships will inspect the LED circuit headlights and, if necessary, replace the gasket or headlight assembly, free of charge. Affected vehicle owners may contact Mazda customer service with the recall number 4320A at 1-800-222-5500 for more information.

For more information on this or other recalls past or present, visit MotorSafety.org.

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Marshall EarleyMazda Daytime Running Headlights May Not Turn On

Potential Tread Detachment Spurs Recall on Mazda CX-9s

Laguna Hills, CA – Nov. 22, 2019 – A select number of CX-9 vehicles, manufactured by Mazda North America, are scheduled for recall because the wrong rubber compound may have been installed during tire assembly. The binding agent used in the compound may be insufficient and cause the tread to separate as a result. Any errors or wear and tear issues associated with the tires can result in a crash and potential for injury by diminishing vehicle stability.

Mazda has settled on a solution and plans to inform operators informed of the flaw how they can get the tire issue corrected. They’re advised to bring their vehicle to a Mazda dealership so their cars can be inspected. If necessary, replacement tires will be installed at no charge.

The Defect

According to official filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 146 Mazda CX-9s – model year 2019 – may be installed with features that make the vehicle unsafe to operate. Specifically, the rubber compound used in Sumitomo Falken ZIEX CT50 A/S tires may be the wrong type for tire sizes P255/50R20 104 V, as an investigation found the compound designed for prototype tires was errantly applied.

It’s possible that the tread containing the compound may degrade prematurely and detach from the tire frame. A loss of control of the vehicle could ultimately lead to a car crash.

The suspect tires in question have a date code stamped 1619, NHTSA documents specify.

Timeline of Events

Mazda’s tire supplier, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, reached out to the automaker’s corporate headquarters Sept. 9 in order to inform the company of the safety issue and the potential for harm that existed. The supplier was apprised of the issue after seven warranties were submitted to the company complaining of tire troubles. These issues were evidenced by the way in which the cars performed, causing vehicles to shake or make strange noises. In some cases, the tread physically detached from the automobiles. No injuries or crashes occurred in the aftermath, however.

An internal investigation by SRI determined that the suspect tires were manufactured in April, which enabled the supplier to isolate which cars were potentially vulnerable. On the last day of September, SRI confirmed where the compromised tires were sent.

By Oct. 25, Mazda determined that a small scale recall was appropriate and informed NHTSA of this fact Oct. 28.

Over the course of 2019, Mazda has issued multiple recalls, most of them related to vehicle performance. These included windshield wiper failures, faulty indicator lights and rearview mirrors detaching from their mounts.

Although 146 Mazdas are subject to the recall, the automaker anticipates that approximately half of the CX-9s in question – 44%, or 64 vehicles – contain the flaw.

The Solution

Starting Dec. 18, Mazda will reach out to registered CX-9 users about this safety issue by first-class mail. The serial numbers will be checked and if there’s a match, the tires will be replaced with the proper ones. One or all four may need to be swapped out.

For more information, please visit MotorSafety.org.

Sean ReyesPotential Tread Detachment Spurs Recall on Mazda CX-9s

Mazda3s Recalled For Possible Detachment of Rearview Mirrors

Laguna Hills, CA – Aug. 15, 2019 – Mazda North American Operations recently announced the recall of tens of thousands of 2019 Mazda3 automobiles over an apparent problem that affects the model’s manual dimming mirror. In certain units, the adhesive that connects the rearview mirror with the unit upon which it’s affixed may not suddenly detach due to an assembly flaw. An inability to see what’s coming from behind can lead to an accident and thus warrants the Mazda3 mirror recall. The automaker says it will replace any flawed units for free, as soon as owners make an appointment to have this issue addressed.

The Defect

According to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Mazda plans to recall 22,571 Mazda3 vehicles over built-in defects with the manual dimming mirror. In certain instances, the mirrored glass that connects to the backing plate was improperly bonded at some point during the manufacturing process. Officials can’t point to a narrow window of time in which this issue originated, but are confident it occurred between Sept. 25, 2018 and June 24, 2019.

Unlike other vehicle-related failures in which certain sounds or circumstances may portend that there’s an issue (e.g. brakes pads that squeak when applying the brake pad), there are no obvious indications as to whether the rearview mirror unit is defective, according to NHTSA’s Part 573 Safety Recall Report.

Timeline of Events

The first time the automaker was alerted to what would eventually become a Mazda3 mirror recall was Feb. 20, wherein a customer contacted Mazda about the mirror randomly detaching from the unit that holds it. The part supplier figured that the easiest way to remedy this issue – assuming it was isolated – was to manually apply pressure to the glass and the backing plate by pressing the two together. When this didn’t work, Mazda opened up an investigation and determined March 9 the original problem stemmed from poor bonding.

At the time, Mazda had reason to believe this issue was isolated to a vehicle assembly plant in Japan and made the appropriate manufacturing adjustments to prevent something similar from happening again. However, the automaker was alerted to several similar manual mirrors detaching from their housing units in other parts of the world, such as Mexico. These field reports came in sporadically from April to June. Once the necessary corrective countermeasures were implemented in Mexico, Mazda convened a meeting July 23 and determined a more wide scale recall was in the company’s – and passengers’ – best interest.

Mazda has several recall actions in place prior to this most recent announcement, including a separate one that also affects the Mazda3 sedan. Approximately 17,000 2019 Mazda3s may have dashboard assemblies that provide wrong information to operators regarding the automobile’s diagnostics. Mazda3 owners were first alerted to this problem starting July 13. Meanwhile, in June, a recall action moved forward on 49,300 Mazda6s, which related to the premature development of corrosion and how that could impair the sedans’ power steering functionality . This problem affected owners in 22 states and the District of Columbia.

The Solution

As for the Mazda3 mirror recall, the automaker knows how this problem can be remedied. As such, it’s encouraging those that receive a notice by first-class mail to take their sedans to their nearest Mazda dealer, where a replacement rearview mirror unit will be installed. Dealers are receiving their alerts presently and customers should start getting their notifications no later than Aug. 30.

For more information on this or other recalls, visit MotorSafety.org.

Sean ReyesMazda3s Recalled For Possible Detachment of Rearview Mirrors

Over 17,000 Mazda3s recalled due to flawed indicator lights

Laguna Hills, CA – June 14, 2019 – Mazda North American Operations is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 units because some of the onboard notification systems – specifically air bag activation and seat belt use – may provide incorrect information while motorists are driving their vehicles. An investigation determined that the indicator lights may not illuminate when they’re supposed to, which could increase the risk of injury by ill informing drivers of the passenger safety situation.

Mazda has alerted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to this issue and plans on officially informing affected drivers starting no later than July 13 by first-class mail. Drivers are urged to take their vehicles to their local Mazda dealer so the proper corrections can be installed as necessary. The repair will be free, as is typically the case for safety recalls.

The Defect

Approximately 17,000 Mazda3 vehicles – model year 2019 – are due for recall because of a programming error that affects the indicator lights on the automobile’s dashboard, according to paperwork filed with NHTSA. Under normal circumstances, when an airbag is deactivated, the symbol representing this feature illuminates. The seatbelt status also lights up if someone in the automobile is not buckled in. However, some of the affected Mazda3s may erroneously turn off, suggesting that a passenger has his or her seatbelt on when the opposite is true. Similarly, the airbag deactivation signal may not shine when it ought to.

Accurate information is crucial to driver safety so the false impression of seat belt adherence or air bag deployment could increase the risk of injury. According to NHTSA, close to 90% of Americans say they wear their seat belts regularly. In 2017, an estimated 14,955 people avoided a potentially fatal accident thanks to buckling up. During this same year, over 2,500 would likely be alive today had they worn their seat belts in a deadly crash.

Timeline of Events

Valentine’s Day proved to be the starting date for when Mazda was alerted to the air bag illumination glitch. Worried that this flaw was more than an isolated incident, the automaker performed follow-up to determine the genesis of the flaw, which Mazda was able to determine on March 1. By March 23, the appropriate fix was applied to all Mazda3 models built thereafter. It nonetheless concluded that 2019 models built between Sept. 25, 2018 and March 23 could be affected, prompting the recall order of 17,016 Mazda3 vehicles.  However, in a statement released June 8, Mazda says the recall order affects 16,982 Mazda3s.

The Solution

While Mazda dealers have already been alerted to the situation, the company expects to inform Mazda3 owners by July 13, according to NHTSA documents. Drivers are advised to take their automobile to an authorized Mazda dealer so the indicator assembly system can be repaired or replaced. The fix is free, as are most safety recalls.

For additional details, you can enter your VIN at MotorSafety.org to see if your car is included in the recall, which the company says is exclusive to 2019 Mazda3s.

Sean ReyesOver 17,000 Mazda3s recalled due to flawed indicator lights

2011-2013 Mazda6 Under Recall Due to Corrosion

Laguna Hills, CA – May 10, 2022 –  Mazda has remedied issues with 24,655 2011-2013 Mazda 6 models dealing with steering failure caused by corrosion. Additionally, none of these models have been categorized as unreachable and 41 has been removed from the recall. Three groups of these 2011-2013 Mazda 6 vehicles with steering issues were remedied in 2019 and three other groups were remedied in 2020.

Laguna Hills, CA – June 12, 2019 – Mazda says its recalling over 49,300 Mazda6 sedans due to the potential of a steering failure caused by corrosion developed over time due to the damaging effects of road salt, frequently spread on highways and streets to improve traction during the winter months. The model years for the affected vehicles are 2011 through 2013 and involve sedans sold or registered in 22 states as well as the District of Columbia. The concern is that excessive jostling of the impacted automobiles may adversely affect power-steering function and front crossbar, thus increasing the risk of an accident.

2011-2013 Mazda6 owners are urged to bring their vehicles to their nearest Mazda dealership so a repair can be arranged free of charge. The fix will likely involve the restoration or replacement of a drain hose and front cross member.

The Defect

According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Mazda is recalling certain Mazda6 sedans from the aforementioned model years due to concerns that the front cross member of the vehicle, which is found on the underside and involved in a car’s transmission functionality, may be vulnerable to depredation caused by road salt. The flaw may also adversely impact the sedan’s power steering, thus increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury to occupants. NHTSA investigators believe that the front cross member may not be applied with the proper amount of seal coating designed to protect the underbelly from the corrosive effects of road salt.

Since the source of the safety issue is known – road salt – NHTSA is confining the recall to so-called “salt belt” states,” which include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia West Virginia and Wisconsin. 2011-2013 Mazda6’s sold or registered in the District of Columbia are also included in the recall order. The automobiles in question were likely manufactured between Feb. 4, 2008 and Aug. 24, 2012.

Timeline of Events

The latest recall is actually an expansion of one that involved 2009-2010 Mazda6 autos. But on Sept. 14, 2018, the company decided to include sedans with model years 2011 through 2013 after dozens of complaints from drivers describing the same problems that led to the original recall. By Jan. 11, 2019, Transport Canada had reached out to Mazda as well, citing corrosion affecting the steering components of Mazda6 sedans. An audit committee meeting, held April 22, determined that the best course of action was to recall all Mazda6 registered or sold in the salt belt states between early February 2008 and late August 2012.

The Solution

Mazda says that no later than June 24, the company – in consultation with NHTSA – will reach out to owners of the affected vehicles by first-class mail to inform them of the potential safety issue and recommend they take their sedans back to the dealership to be properly examined. If it’s determined that their vehicle is vulnerable to corrosion – or if the adverse effects of such damage are already apparent – mechanics will swap out the appropriate parts: most likely the front cross member. This repair will be complimentary, as is often standard with recall actions.

For more information on the recall order, visit MotorSafety.org and enter your VIN in the appropriate field.

Sean Reyes2011-2013 Mazda6 Under Recall Due to Corrosion

Mazda Recalls 2009-2013 Mazda6 Vehicles Due To Corrosion-Caused Steering Issue

Laguna Hills, CA – May 30, 2019 – Mazda is recalling certain 2009-2013 Mazda6 sedans sold or registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. A critical steering component could fail due to corrosion problems. This is an expansion of an earlier recall from 2018. As many as 49,339 vehicles may be affected.

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this issue, the front cross member, a part of the vehicle suspension, may corrode after exposure to road salt over time due to insufficient paint coating on the component. If the part fails, it can lead to breakage of the cross member, sudden changes in steering alignment and reduced steering control, particularly in situations such as driving over a pothole at high speed. This could result in the increased risk of crash and injury.

Signs Of Trouble

A story by Consumer Reports said that vehicle owners may notice the problem when they hear an unusual noise resulting from the front wheel touching a piece of the vehicle trim, or when the steering wheel becomes off-center. The noise can be heard both outside and inside the vehicle. Mechanics may also be able to detect the problem when the car is taken in for service.

Timeline Of Events

On Sept. 14, 2018 Mazda originally submitted a defect information report to NHTSA concerning 2009-2010 Mazda6 vehicles experiencing corrosion of the cross member due to road salt.

Between September and December 2018, the automaker received a number of new field reports indicating that the same condition was affecting 2011 vehicles. On Jan. 11, 2019, Transport Canada sent Mazda an inquiry about cross member corrosion in Mazda6 2011-2013 vehicles. Following discussion with Transport Canada, Mazda decided March 21 to respond to the inquiry after conducting an investigation of the issue and evaluating the need for field action.

On April 22, the automaker concluded that 2011-2013 vehicles were subject to the same defect as those recalled earlier. After a review by the Quality Audit Committee, Mazda launched a proactive field action for all affected vehicles.

The Solution

The recall will begin June 24, 2019. Mazda will notify owners by mail, instructing them to take their vehicles to the nearest dealership for inspection. Depending on the condition of the vehicle, dealers will either install a side member and a drain hose and apply wax to protect from rust, or they will install a drain hose and an improved front cross member, at no cost to vehicle owners. In addition, a reimbursement plan is available for eligible owners who already paid to have these repairs done.

Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda’s number for this recall is 2818I. This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-631. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V-323.

Sean ReyesMazda Recalls 2009-2013 Mazda6 Vehicles Due To Corrosion-Caused Steering Issue

Mazda Recalls 2016-18 Vehicles For Windshield Wiper Failure

Laguna Hills, CA – April 16, 2019 – Mazda North American Operations is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda 3 vehicles due to potentially inoperative front windshield wipers. Lack of visibility resulting from this issue could increase the risk of a crash. As many as 187,798 vehicles could be affected.

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this problem, a defective windshield wiper relay could cause the front wipers to stop functioning. The problem stems from the heat generated during normal operation causing metal deposits to form on the relay, resulting in the sticking of relay contacts. When this happens, the defective component disrupts electrical power to the wiper motor. If the wipers become non-operative, the driver’s loss of visibility could increase the chance of a crash.

Timeline of Events

Mazda received the first reports of this issue Nov. 26, 2015 from a non-U.S. market. By February 2016, an investigation revealed that the problem was due to contamination and metal deposits occurring during the manufacturing process of the relay. The automaker began working with its suppliers August 2016 to uncover the root cause of the deposits. A very small amount of silicone had been detected at the contact points.

As the investigation continued, Mazda determined that only Mazda 3 models were affected, due to the specification of a capacitor in the wiper motor. By June 2017, silicon was ruled out as a root cause. In July, the wiper motor capacitor specification was changed as a preventive measure.

Although the origin of the problem had still not been discovered by Oct. 3, 2017, Mazda took the additional countermeasure of changing the wiper relay in the front body control module.

From January to August 2018, despite the fact that field failure rates were reported to be decreasing, the problem continued. In October, Mazda looked into the possibility of multiple root causes, including the wiper relay design, the wiper motor capacitor specification and welding waste of the fixation point of contact.

From November to December 2018, the automaker collected parts from the field for further investigation. By February 2019, Mazda determined that the reduced failure rate could not be assured of continuing, so it decided to conduct a proactive field action April 1, making plans for a recall of the affected vehicles.

The Solution

The recall will begin June 3, 2019. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front body control module with a new module that uses an improved wiper relay design, free of charge.

Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda’s number for this recall is 3219D. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V272000.

Sean ReyesMazda Recalls 2016-18 Vehicles For Windshield Wiper Failure

Mazda Recalls More Than 14,000 MX-5 Miatas for Transmission Problems

Laguna Hills, CA – March 20, 2022 –  Mazda has remedied issues with 12,951 2016-2019 MX-5 Miata sports dealing with transmission software problems that may cause abrupt downshifts. Additionally, none of these models have been categorized as unreachable and only one has been removed from the recall. Four groups of these 2016-2019 MX-5 Miata sports models with  transmission issues were remedied in 2019 and other two groups were remedied in 2020.

Laguna Hills, CA – February 4, 2019 –  Mazda is recalling 2016-2019 MX-5 Miata sports cars with automatic transmissions. The recall is expected to affect approximately 14,370 model year 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata sports cars with automatic transmissions manufactured over the four-year range.

The Defect

According to Consumer Affairs, a software problem in the transmission can cause an unexpected downshift, which may cause the vehicle to slow abruptly. In affected vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, electrical noise in the range signal can occur while driving in “D” range, including in instances when the vehicle is being operated by the driver in “Manual” mode.

This electrical noise may be detected by the clutch control software in the Transmission Control Module (TCM), and, due to inappropriate control logic of the software in question, the signal noise may cause the vehicle to unexpectedly downshift. A downshift mid drive can cause a sudden and rapid deceleration of the drive wheels.

An abrupt decrease in the speed of the drive wheels while driving is hazardous, as it can negatively affect the directional stability of the vehicle. This hazard both increases the risk of a driver losing control of the vehicle which could ultimately lead to a crash and injury or even loss of life.

Timeline of Events

According to a Mazda statement, Mazda North American Operations has therefore filed a Defect and Non-Compliance Information Report with NHTSA regarding a safety concern with certain Model Year (MY) 2016-2019 Mazda MX-5 Miatas. The NHTSA has not yet provided more details on this recall or the sequence of events leading to the announcement.

The following numbers of vehicles are expected to be affected by this recall:

  • 2016 MY MX-5: 6,140 units
  • 2017 MY MX-5: 4,519 units
  • 2018 MY MX-5: 2,295 units
  • 2019 MY MX-5: 1,416 units

The Solution

Dealers will update the transmission software in affected vehicles at no charge to owners. Owners can call Mazda at 800-222-5500. The automaker is anticipated to begin notifying owners of affected vehicles by March 29, 2019. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Sean ReyesMazda Recalls More Than 14,000 MX-5 Miatas for Transmission Problems

Mazda recalls vehicles with defective air bags

Washington, D.C. – July 24, 2018 – Mazda  (OTCMKTS: MZDAY) has recalled almost 700 vehicles potentially equipped with defective air bags, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Traffic Administration. The campaign affects 2018 Mazda CX-5 sport utility vehicles produced between April 11 and April 27, 2018. The Japanese automaker suspects just 1 percent of the models involved in the action contain the defective components.

The Defect

Affected vehicles contain side-curtain air bags that may fail to unfold properly during deployment, leaving occupants unprotected in the event of an accident involving side impact or a rollover. The defect therefore poses a serious threat to owners and their passengers. However, Mazda has yet to receive reports connecting the problematic parts to any collisions or injuries.

Timeline of Events

Mazda on April 26, 2018, received information from its air bag supplier, the Ashimori Industry Company, indicating that the fabric used in certain assemblies did not meet adhesion requirements. Ashimori revealed that production personnel had failed to properly dry the cement adhering the silicone air bag base to the side-curtain fabric, meaning the resulting equipment would leak air and therefore not inflate upon deployment. On April 27, 2018, the vehicle manufacturer stopped shipment of models with defective air bags. More than a week later, Mazda production teams rolled out replacement side-curtain air bag models.

On June 12, 2018, the automaker reviewed its production logs and found that multiple vehicles containing the problematic air bags had been shipped to dealers. Members of the Mazda Quality Audit Committee convened June 21, 2018, and decided that a voluntary recall was necessary.

The company notified dealers of the forthcoming action June 29, 2018.

The Solution

Mazda has directed dealers to replace the side-curtain air bags in affected models free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. Owners should have received notification via first-class mail July 16, 2018. Those who have yet to hear about the recall or require additional assistance can speak with Mazda customer service personnel by calling (800) 222-5500. Callers should use the internal recall reference code 2718F. Owners can also reach out to the NHTSA directly using the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Sean ReyesMazda recalls vehicles with defective air bags

Mazda recalls vehicles with defective air bags

Washington, D.C. – Jan. 22, 2017 – Mazda North American Operations has recalled 2,205 vehicles potentially equipped with defective, Takata-brand air bag inflators, according to documents submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2006 Mazda B Series pickup trucks. 

The Takata air bag inflators involved in this action are at the center of one of the largest automotive recalls to date. Numerous brands have recalled more than 49 million vehicles worldwide believed to contain the problematic devices, which have claimed the lives of approximately 21 drivers and injured at least 184 others, Car and Driver reported.

Recall summary

Affected models feature Takata front air bag inflators that are prone to rupture upon deployment. This poses a serious safety risk to occupants, as the instantaneous degradation of the device sends shards of metal flying throughout the cabin. In light of this possibility, Mazda has advised owners to discontinue use of their vehicles until repairs can be made.

On May 18, 2015, Takata informed the NHTSA and its production partners that certain air bag inflator models were defective and prone to rupture, according to the NHTSA. Ford Motor Company, which had long partnered with Mazda to create B Series pickup trucks, reviewed the supplier’s submission to the NHTSA and determined that an immediate safety recall was necessary. Mazda engineers agreed with the assessment and initiated a joint recall action with Ford involving nearly 20,000 2004-2006 B Series pickup trucks. Between September 2015 and October 2017, the Japanese automaker replaced the air bag inflators found in recalled vehicles with temporary like-for-like components.

In December 2017, Mazda informed the NHTSA that permanent replacement parts were available and launched two separate follow-up actions.

On Jan. 2, Ford received a report detailing a fatal accident involving a 2006 Ford Ranger pickup truck – the vehicle off of which the B Series model is based – equipped with Takata air bag inflators. The American automotive company reviewed production records with officials from Takata and found that Mazda had installed the same problematic inflators in some of its B Series trucks. Ford gave Mazda a list of the models that were potentially affected Jan. 9. Two days later, the Mazda Quality Audit Committee met and decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall.

The automaker notified dealers Jan. 16.

The repair

Mazda has directed dealers to replace the front air bag inflators in the recalled vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. The company intends to notify owners via first-class mail Jan. 19.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 2,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 1,533 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

adminMazda recalls vehicles with defective air bags