As more inflator production is available from other suppliers, automakers will abandon Takata.
The curse of the deadly Takata airbag inflators continues as Mazda expands its Takata recalls to more than 300,000 Mazda6 and RX-8 models from 2003-2008. It turns out that the replacement parts from a previous recall are also potentially defective. The remedy part is an airbag inflator manufactured by a different part supplier – unnamed – that is free from the “phased stabilized ammonium nitrate” Takata uses. New part number GJYC-57K80 for Mazda6, Mazdaspeed6 and RX-8.
In the original recall on 2 June 2015 after a Takata NHTSA submission, Mazda decided to conduct recall campaign on 2003-2008 model year Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8 and 2006-2007 Mazda speed 6 equipped with PSDI-4 frontal driver-side airbag inflators.
On 25 July 2017, Mazda decided to replace PSDI-4 inflators to “upgrade the replacement Parts” with a non-PSAN frontal driver side airbag inflator. [Translation: the original replacement parts are a safety hazard as well -AutoCrat] The new recall also includes un-repaired vehicles under the original safety defect recall NHTSA 15V382.
It turns out according to Mazda, “the batwing-shaped propellant wafers in some of the subject inflators may experience an alteration over time, which could potentially lead to overaggressive combustion in the event of an air bag deployment. Depending on the circumstances, this potential condition could create excessive internal pressure when the air bag is deployed, which could result in the body of the inflator rupturing upon deployment.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Mazda Recalls Takata Airbag Inflators with New Supplier As Replacement
As more inflator production is available from other suppliers, automakers will abandon Takata.
The curse of the deadly Takata airbag inflators continues as Mazda expands its Takata recalls to more than 300,000 Mazda6 and RX-8 models from 2003-2008. It turns out that the replacement parts from a previous recall are also potentially defective. The remedy part is an airbag inflator manufactured by a different part supplier – unnamed – that is free from the “phased stabilized ammonium nitrate” Takata uses. New part number GJYC-57K80 for Mazda6, Mazdaspeed6 and RX-8.
In the original recall on 2 June 2015 after a Takata NHTSA submission, Mazda decided to conduct recall campaign on 2003-2008 model year Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8 and 2006-2007 Mazda speed 6 equipped with PSDI-4 frontal driver-side airbag inflators.
On 25 July 2017, Mazda decided to replace PSDI-4 inflators to “upgrade the replacement Parts” with a non-PSAN frontal driver side airbag inflator. [Translation: the original replacement parts are a safety hazard as well -AutoCrat] The new recall also includes un-repaired vehicles under the original safety defect recall NHTSA 15V382.
It turns out according to Mazda, “the batwing-shaped propellant wafers in some of the subject inflators may experience an alteration over time, which could potentially lead to overaggressive combustion in the event of an air bag deployment. Depending on the circumstances, this potential condition could create excessive internal pressure when the air bag is deployed, which could result in the body of the inflator rupturing upon deployment.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.