On 10/19/19 the vehicle was involved in a crash when swerving to avoid a deer on the road. Two trees were hit and the vehicle was flipped on its side. No airbags deployed during this accident as I was expected. Pictures show the front damage and interior.
2004 Mazda RX-8: airbags did not deploy in a crash
6 of the 490 complaints about the 2004 Mazda RX-8 describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 4
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls and 9 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Airbags did not deploy in a crash by model year
- 20072
- 20054
- 20046
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. While driving 25 MPH, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle. As a result, the contact rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact received neck and back pain that required medical attention. The vehicle was not towed and was able to be driven after the crash. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 15v345000 (air bags) and 15v382000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,400.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. While driving at 70 MPH, the steering wheel independently turned in both directions. As a result, the contact crashed into a curb and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was not filed. In addition, the contact noticed that the rear passenger wheel well was curved and fractured. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. The contact stated the driver was traveling 35 MPH when a vehicle crossed the center lane crashing into a vehicle in front of the contact causing that vehicle to crash into the contact. The vehicle was hit on the drivers side door. The air bag in the steering wheel did not deploy as the steering wheel detached from the steering column. The side air bags did deploy. The passenger side air bags did not deploy. The driver suffered a crushed pelvis, tail bone shattered, and their urethra was severed in half. The contact stated the side air bag did very little to protect the driver. There was no mention of a police report being filed. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. The contact stated that the driver was traveling 35 MPH when another vehicle crashed into the vehicle preceding the contact. The preceding vehicle then spun into the front driver's side door of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy and the steering wheel was detached from the steering column upon impact. The driver sustained severe injuries and suffered a crushed pelvis, shattered tail bone and a severed urethra. The contact stated that the side air bags did very little to protect the driver. The failure mileage was not available.
On april 3,2012 at 10pm in buffalo ny. I was driving my 04 rx8 around a bend at 35mph. I experienced a jerk/twitch in the power steering. The indicator light came on instantly I lost the steering sending me into the front of a steel divider of a train bridge. I was taken to ecmc by ambulance. I luckily only suffered minor injuries to my back neck ribs head and shoulder. I am not one to sue nor am I'm going to pursue any legal action against mazda. I will say my airbags did not deploy my car was considered totaled $10,000 in damage. I just thought anyone looking to buy an rx8 should read on numerous sites that this malfunction is an extremely common problem that mazda is aware about but still does not wish to post a tsb or a recall. Love the car but have lost faith in mazda. Sincerely unhappy owner.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Subject: UPDATE
- The Workshop Manual has two-different airbag procedures, one for Standard Deployment and one for Two-Step...
- Stopper plates for air bag module connectors have been established as new service parts.
- Mazda Motor Corporation is going to evaluate the following inflators to ensure the safety of the inflator...
- Takata recalls general information purpose: this page was created to assist with handling takata air bag...
- Mazda: an increased combustion, during air bag deployment, is due to inflator propellant material, that...
- Non genuine accessories affect air bag operation
- Airbag warning light illuminated - DTC B1994 and/or B1998 set
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1‑800‑222‑5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 13V130, 14V362, 14V773 and 15V869.
Recall number 19V781000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V‑354 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1‑800‑222‑5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 16V354.
Recall number 18V402000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1‑800‑222‑5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1417G. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V‑382.
Recall number 17V474000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- As a result of an ncap test, certain passenger vehicles are being recalled for improperly wired front passenger seat air bags.
- Risk
- The air bag will not provide adequate protection when the vehicle is involved in a frontal crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new wiring harness in the front passenger seat air bag system. The recall began march 5, 2004. Owners should contact mazda at 1‑800‑222‑5500.
Recall number 04V074000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2004 Mazda RX-8 no deployment
Is airbags did not deploy in a crash a common problem on the 2004 Mazda RX-8?
6 of 490 owner complaints about the 2004 Mazda RX-8 (1%) mention airbags did not deploy in a crash. The model year with the most reports is 2004.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2004 Mazda RX-8?
There are 4 recalls and 9 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2004 Mazda RX-8
Stalling 50Engine failure 38Check engine light 29Power steering loss 28Loss of power 24Grinding brakes 22Won't start 21Ball joint 13Jerking 13Fuel pump 11Fuel smell 9Misfire 9Won't shift 9Overheating 8Pulling 7Fire or smoke 5
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