Photo: Mazda
Automakers are already dealing with a large number of recalls associated with faulty Takata airbags, but Mazda is now facing the recall of a previous recall to replace defective passenger side airbags that could potentially rupture when inflated. About a month after announcing the recall of 37,700 vehicles equipped with Takata-made airbags, Mazda is now adding another 18,050 cars to the recall’s ever-expanding tally.
This new recall (7714F) expands on a campaign issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) back in April 2013. Back then, a small number of Mazda6 sedans and RX-8 coupes (just 149 in total) were recalled for the airbag failure, but the number of vehicles affected has turned out to be much higher.
Last year’s recall (6931D) affected Mazda6 models built at the Auto Alliance International in Flat Rock, MI between January 14, 2003 and May 29, 2003, but the new campaign affects a total of 18,000 Mazda6s from the 2003 and 2004 model years that were built between May 29, 2002 and March 4, 2004. Similarly, that original recall affected 50 of the 2004 RX-8 built from June 25, 2003 through June 30, 2003, but these same vehicles are being called in once again as the breadth of the supplier defect is being discovered.
Repairs for this new recall are expected to begin next month. Of course, this latest recall is completely separate from the one Mazda issued on June 19. That campaign (SSP96) included the 2003-07 Mazda6 built between October 4, 2002 and July 31, 2007 as well as the 2004-08 RX-8 built between April 23, 2003 and July 26, 2007.
This trio of similar airbag recalls is sure to create, so if you think your car is affected by any of the campaigns, you can call Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500 or contact NHTSA either by calling the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or visiting the www.safercar.gov website.
Last year’s recall (6931D) affected Mazda6 models built at the Auto Alliance International in Flat Rock, MI between January 14, 2003 and May 29, 2003, but the new campaign affects a total of 18,000 Mazda6s from the 2003 and 2004 model years that were built between May 29, 2002 and March 4, 2004. Similarly, that original recall affected 50 of the 2004 RX-8 built from June 25, 2003 through June 30, 2003, but these same vehicles are being called in once again as the breadth of the supplier defect is being discovered.
Repairs for this new recall are expected to begin next month. Of course, this latest recall is completely separate from the one Mazda issued on June 19. That campaign (SSP96) included the 2003-07 Mazda6 built between October 4, 2002 and July 31, 2007 as well as the 2004-08 RX-8 built between April 23, 2003 and July 26, 2007.
This trio of similar airbag recalls is sure to create, so if you think your car is affected by any of the campaigns, you can call Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500 or contact NHTSA either by calling the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or visiting the www.safercar.gov website.
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