2008 Mazda MAZDA3: airbags did not deploy in a crash

9 of the 303 complaints about the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.

owner complaints: 9
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 14,500
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 5 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Airbags did not deploy in a crash by model year

2025
1
2023
1
2022
1
2021
1
2019
2
2016
3
2015
2
2013
2
2012
1
2011
2
2010
1
2009
3
2008
9
2007
7
2006
7
2005
4
2004
13

What owners say

Filed Aug 27, 2014 · Airbags, Body · 95,000 miles · OR · crash · 1 injury

My boyfriend was in a roll over accident where the airbag sensors were completely ripped off along with the bumper and the airbags did not deploy and the seatbelt did not lock up until he came to a stop.

Filed Jul 25, 2012 · Acceleration, Airbags · 13,000 miles · RI · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mazda mazda3. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle increased acceleration independently and crashed into a utility pole. The contact sustained injuries to the knee and neck area. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. A police report was filed of the incident. The acceleration also occurred on a separate occasion however the vehicle came to a stop when the brakes were engaged. The manufacturer was not notified of the malfunction. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed May 10, 2011 · Airbags · 55,000 miles · AZ · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 mazda, mazda3. The contact was involved in a crash when someone ran them off the road and caused the vehicle to roll over and go into the bottom of a ravine. The contact was not injured, but was concerned since the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact stated the vehicle was not inspected to see why the air bags did not deploy. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Jan 3, 2011 · Airbags, Steering · 10,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mazda mazda3. The contact was driving approximately 32 MPH when she attempted to avoid an animal. The contact steered to the left but the vehicle instead violently veered to the left causing her to crash into an embankment. The vehicle proceeded to roll over once crashing and the air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained head injuries as a result. A police report was available. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

Filed Nov 29, 2010 · Airbags, Seat belts · 40,000 miles · CO · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 mazda, mazda3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle hit a washboard and rolled down a hill. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belts loosened. The contact sustained neck and back injuries. A police report was filed. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Filed Feb 12, 2010 · Airbags, Brakes · 14,500 miles · CA · crash

While driving on the freeway at 75 MPH, tried to avoid a vehicle that was unsafely changing lanes. Pushed brakes and veered towards left. The brakes (which are not ABS) responded slowly and I slammed in the middle divider. A couple month before the accident the dealer had the rotors resurfaced since the car was shaking vigorously while braking at high speeds. Also the air bags did not deploy during the accident. Took car to a mechanic and the mechanic was amazed that based on the visual frontal damage to the car the air bags did not deploy.

Filed Feb 1, 2010 · Airbags · 34,712 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Turning left on a t junction when some one ran a red light and crashed into my driverside front and rear doors. The hit was hard enough to pin the steering wheel with the smashed in door, but the side airbags did not go off. No corrective action was taken as the vehicle was titled as a total loss.

Filed Dec 10, 2008 · Airbags · 7,000 miles · IL · crash · 1 injury

My son purchased a new 2008 mazda 3 in late july 2008. Last saturday he slid on ice and hit a tree head on at approximately 30 MPH and none of the air bags deployed. The car has roughly 7000 miles on it. The initial estimate for repairs is $9100. I contacted mazda at 1‑800‑222‑5500 (daniel) to try and determine why the air bags didn't deploy and was told that mazda doesn't send an investigator out and I should contact my insurance company to determine why the air bags didn't deploy. My insurance company (farmers) tells me that they don't investigate unless there is reason to go after the manufacturer to help with medical expenses incurred due to the accident. I need to know why the air bags didn't work so the problem is corrected rather than just assume that they will next time. My son suffered whiplash to his neck and back and a strain to his left shoulder from the seat belt. I believe this was caused because the airbag didn't deploy to cushion the impact to the tree. Isn't that what they're there for? Mazda doesn't seem interested to know whether there is a defect or not.

Filed Aug 13, 2008 · Airbags, Seat belts · 5,600 miles · TX · crash · 3 injuries

I was involved in a four car collision. I was third in line, and was hit really hard from behind and then hit the car in front of me. My air bags did not deploy and my seat belt did not lock. I slammed into the steering wheel and busted my forehead open.