First-gen Mazda6 recalled over airbag troubles

MAZDA has recalled 4650 first-generation Mazda6s and RX-8 sportscars to fix a potential airbag deployment fault that has beset a number of car-makers using Takata airbags.

The recall affects 4639 Mazda6 sedans and wagons and 11 RX-8 coupes built between August 22, 2002, and February 27, 2004, and follows a similar recall in May last year when 468 Mazda6s were called back to dealerships.

The recalls involve vehicles fitted with potentially defective airbags from Japanese company Takata, with global car-makers Nissan, Honda, Lexus, General Motors and BMW all swept up in the safety recall.

According to a notice on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's product recalls website, the issue involves the “inappropriate production/storage of the propellant in the inflator of the passenger-side airbag”, which causes the density of the propellant to be insufficient.

“As a result, the propellant may ignite abnormally at the time of airbag deployment, which may result in extremely high inner pressure of the inflator and a rupture of the inflator case,” the notice said.

In instances where the case is ruptured, the ACCC said, the airbag “might not deploy as designed and therefore may not reduce injury to a passenger, or fractured parts might fly apart and cause injury to a passenger”.

Mazda Australia will contact affected customers by mail to advise them to contact their local dealer and have the part in question replaced.

Earlier this year 9356 current-generation Mazda6s were recalled in Australia over a possible battery fault.