Mazda Recalls 2016 – 2023 Miata Sports Cars for Bad Airbags

Mazda North American Operations is recalling 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata sports cars built in Japan. A software error in the Robert Bosch supplied air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. Mazda has been aware of the problem for more than a year.

In the required safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today, Mazda said as of 11 September 2024, it is not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries related to this safety defect. Also, as of this date, no field reports have been received by the United States or Territory markets.

Dealers will update the Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) control module software, free of charge as required by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 17 November 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda’s number for this recall is 6924I. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.nhtsa.gov  about NHTSA 24V695.

Chronology

• 26 April 2023: During development of newer model airbag sensors, Mazda discovered a calibration tool misconfiguration. Mazda decided to validate current settings in past models and, if applicable, measure the impact on collision detection sensitivity.
• 1 June 2023 to 1 September 2023: Mazda conducted simulation tests of the mass production collision detection sensitivity for MX-5 Miata. Mazda suspected the possibility of non-compliance with FMVSS 208.Therefore, checks were initiated to verify during a minor crash or collision, if a higher force air bag deployment may improperly occur instead of the expected lower force air bag deployment. During this period, Mazda also conducted similar simulation tests for collision detection sensitivities for other Mazda models to understand the scope of the concern. Mazda verified these findings.
• 2 November 2023: Mazda implemented a mass production change with improved software in the SAS control module.
• 16 January 2024 to 22 May 2024: Mazda continued evaluations to check for further compliance issues by simulating test modes to confirm differences between mass production and initial sensitivity settings.
• 23 May 2024: The verifications were completed, and Mazda confirmed other models were compliant with FMVSS 208 requirements.
• 28 August 2024: Mazda confirmed no further changes were necessary in mass production units from the November 2, 2023 improvement.
• 11 September 2024: Mazda held a Quality Audit Committee meeting to review all available information to date and approved a field action on subject model year 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles.