Over 171,000 Mazda Vehicles in North America at Risk of Failing Airbags: A Ticking Time Bomb on the Roads?

According to Carscoops, Mazda is issuing a recall for 171,412 vehicles in North America due to a potential issue with the airbags failing to deploy in the event of a collision. This recall affects 2024-2025 Mazda3 and Mazda CX-30 models.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States explains that if a vehicle’s ignition is accidentally left in the ‘on’ position for two hours or more while the engine is off, it can drain the battery. This will cause the airbag sensor to store an internal fault, preventing the airbags from deploying in the event of a crash.

NHTSA states that owners will notice something is amiss when the battery is recharged and the vehicle is started, as the warning light will illuminate. The instrument cluster will also display a message indicating an airbag malfunction.

Mazda first became aware of this issue last summer when they received reports of airbag warning lights illuminating after battery drain incidents. The Japanese automaker conducted an investigation over the following months and ultimately concluded that this was not a safety-related issue, attributing it to customer usage and/or error. However, Mazda did release an airbag sensor software update in late 2024.

In March, the NHTSA’s defect investigation office requested information on 15 reports related to airbag sensor replacements. This led to a technical evaluation, and Mazda maintained its position that the issue did not pose a safety risk as it was caused by customer usage or error.

It wasn’t until recently in May that Mazda decided to issue a recall for over 170,000 vehicles in the US and Canada to address the fault. According to Carscoops, it is fortunate that Mazda has not recorded any injuries or fatalities related to this issue.

Affected customers will be instructed to take their vehicles to their nearest Mazda dealer, where technicians will reprogram or replace the airbag sensor.

NHTSA estimates that airbags are one of the most important safety features in automobiles, having saved the lives of over 50,000 Americans between 1987 and 2017.

You may also like

The Ultimate Engine Overhaul: Ford Recalls Over 90,000 Vehicles for a Premium Performance Upgrade

The American automotive giant is set to recall a range of Ford and Lincoln SUVs and pickup trucks in the United States over concerns that their engines may develop cracks, potentially leading to a drop in oil pressure and an increased risk of accidents.

Nearly 3 million Honda CR-Vs, Accords probed over emergency braking that can cause crashes

Numerous U.S. drivers have filed complaints with regulators about their Honda CR-Vs and Accords braking unexpectedly with no objects in front of them.

Mazda CX-90 Recalled for 3rd Time Due to Steering System Issue

This is not a minor recall as it affects up to 43,752 vehicles, all of which need to be taken to dealerships for repairs.

Ford recalls 1.9 million Explorer vehicles

If you hear a rattling noise while driving a Ford Explorer from 2011 – 2019, the windshield might be about to come loose.

Tesla recalls 2+ million vehicles in US for safety warnings

Tesla is initiating a recall initiative for more than 2 million vehicles in the United States to implement software updates, incorporating cautionary measures into the Autopilot driver assistance system. This action is in response to the discovery of certain deficiencies in Autopilot that potentially endanger safety during its operation.