2010 Mazda MAZDA6 Air Bags Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jun 23, 2026 · 54 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the 2010 Mazda MAZDA6, 24% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 80,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “takata air bags” (20% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Takata air bags: mentioned in 11 of 54 complaints (20%)

At what mileage do air bags problems happen?

Based on 15 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles1 · 7%
10k–25k miles1 · 7%
25k–50k miles2 · 13%
50k–75k miles2 · 13%
75k–100k miles6 · 40%
100k–150k miles3 · 20%
150k+ miles0 · 0%

How serious are the reports?

Of 54 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 1 an injury.

Mazda MAZDA6 air bags complaints by model year

Peak: 2007, with 95 complaints
2002: 2200222003: 30302004: 552004552005: 76762006: 932006932007: 95952008: 772008772009: 75752010: 542010542011: 28282012: 302012302013: 442014: 4201442015: 662016: 6201662017: 11

n = 636 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearAir Bags complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2017 MAZDA612%12,000
2016 MAZDA668%52,450
2015 MAZDA6610%40,500
2014 MAZDA643%46,000
2013 MAZDA6417%92,725
2012 MAZDA63030%80,000
2011 MAZDA62821%109,000
2010 MAZDA65424%80,000
2009 MAZDA67519%74,576
2008 MAZDA67769%91,500
2007 MAZDA69561%83,000
2006 MAZDA69354%90,000
2005 MAZDA67652%88,000
2004 MAZDA65534%110,500
2003 MAZDA63017%39,500
2002 MAZDA627%49,222

When owners reported it

Peak: 2017, with 27 complaints
2011: 1201112015: 1201512016: 162016162017: 272017272018: 3201832019: 3201932020: 1202012021: 1202112025: 120251

n = 54 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (5)

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveOct 31, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V782000 · 69,879 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V356 and 17V012.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveOct 12, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V717000 · 155,436 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJan 9, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V018000 · 70,227 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2013 Mazda6 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2010 Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 Mazda6, CX-7, and CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJun 29, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V429000 · 205,377 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.

Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactiveAug 11, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V594000 · 41,918 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured February 4, 2008, to December 3, 2009. The protective coating may not have been properly applied to the air bag control unit (ACU) and, as a result, moisture may damage the unit causing it to malfunction.

Risk: Failure of the ACU would illuminate the air bag warning light and prevent the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Mazda dealers will replace the ACU, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9816H.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The airbag light is still flashing on the dashboard after the airbag recall on this vehicle was fixed. It may be related to a different recall, which is safety campaign #16V594000.

Received Feb 19, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11643653

Passenger side dash started melting about a year ago and has gotten so bad the dash is almost liquid. Sunlight reflects off the shiny melted dash and blinds the driver. I was in an accident because i couldn't see due to light reflecting off melted dash. Dash is so sticky that you cannot touch or it…

Received Jan 4, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11386507

I started noticing cracks on the dashboard on the passenger side where the airbag deploys. My vehicle was stationary when i noticed ththe cracks the following morning. I am concerned that the airbag might accidentally go off with the slightest vibrations or closing of the vehicle doors.

Received Feb 28, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11312073

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2010 Mazda MAZDA6s have air bags problems?

No. NHTSA has 54 owner complaints about air bags for the 2010 Mazda MAZDA6 (24% of the 225 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2010 Mazda MAZDA6 air bags?

Yes: 5 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do air bags problems start?

The median reported mileage is 80,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about air bags problems on the 2010 Mazda MAZDA6?

The most frequent phrase is “takata air bags”, in 11 of 54 complaints.

Other 2010 Mazda MAZDA6 problems

See all 2010 Mazda MAZDA6 problems or air bags problems across all MAZDA6 years.