2002 Mazda Tribute: airbag warning light

Filed Jan 7, 2016 · Airbags, Seat belts · 160,000 miles · WI

My airbag warning light has been flashing on and off for a while now. I removed the items under the seat and the lights went off and worked for almost a month. All of a sudden the lights are now flashing again, even though there are no items below my seats. I was able to search online and see that there have been many issues with the seatbelt pretensioners and/or the connections below the seat that need to be wiggled or disconnected and then re-plugged in to make the light go out. It has happened in all situations including stationary, in motion, on the highway, or in the city.

Filed Aug 21, 2014 · Airbags · TX

My air bag light is staying on. I decided to leave a complaint on here because I see multiple complaints from other people regarding this issue.

Filed May 21, 2014 · Airbags · 119,781 miles · FL

The airbag light has been on for about 2 months in the mazda tribute. We took the vehicle to duval mazda to ask them to reset the computer since we figured that was all that was needed. They called us later in the day and told us that to repair the car so that the light would go out, would cost $397.21. We declined since they told us they needed to rebuild the wiring for the airbags. When we picked up the car (declined the repair), the estimate for repairs stated: "b1881 stored-p/s safetybelt pretensioner circuit failure. Tsb: 08-001/05 has updated connectors that are soldered in to replace and upgrade the failing ones." this sounds like it should be a safety recall item not a customer cost repair issue. Or at the very least, a repair and no charge item done by the dealer since it appears to be a failure of original parts that impact the airbag system. We have not had repairs done at this point since it is a costly one and don't know who, other than the dealer will do the repairs for a more reasonable cost. The dealer did state (not listed anywhere on the itemized list of multiple repairs that they really wanted to do) that the airbag light was impacting the passenger airbag only.

Filed May 9, 2014 · Airbags · MS

My airbag warning light blinks, then stays on shortly after I crank the vehicle. I had it checked and the mechanic told me that it needed a new fuse because it was shorting out. He replaced the fuse and it immediately shorted out again. He told me that my driver side airbag is shorting out and I will need to replace it. I have read several complaints about this issue on this vehicle, so I called mazda and was told that it was my problem to repair it due to the age of my vehicle. Is this true? I can't believe the complacency of the man I spoke to about the issue. I need this addressed, but do not believe that I had any control in the poor condition of this part. It is not something that suffers from simple wear and tear issues, like brakes or hoses! I hope that with all of the complaints I have read about this, someone will realize that it is a real problem, before someone does get hurt or killed.

Filed May 16, 2013 · Airbags · VA

Air bag light would stay illuminated had it looked at by dealer back in 2005 problem was temporarily fixed started to come back on months after I had the dealer fix it know the light will not illuminate when initial start and there is a beeping sound it beeps 5xs stops then starts again while driving.I feared that while driving to work that the airbag would deploy or if I was in an accident it may not deploy this seems to me like a serious safety issue.

Filed Sep 28, 2012 · Airbags · 90,000 miles · WA

Airbag warning light has started flashing on and off, then staying on. Is now always on. Dealer said it was a failure in a sensor connection under the seat(s). I have seen many, many complaints about this important vehicle safety system failure online. Apparently it is a known issue. The mazda dealer wants to charge $500 to fix it. Tough to do during tough economic times. Guess it's food or possible fatality. Which would mazda recommend?

Filed May 29, 2012 · Airbags · 100,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mazda tribute. The contact was driving 35 MPH when the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated there were two seat sensors that failed on the driver and passenger front seats. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who stated that there were no recalls for the failure and offered no further assistance. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Feb 19, 2012 · Brakes, Electrical · WA · fire

My son has driven this vehicle since 2008, when we purchased it for him to use while in college. He was driving onto campus and when approaching the parking lot, he noticed ABS and airbag lights coming on and off on the dashboard. As he parked he realized there was smoke coming from under the hood. He opened the hood, saw a fire, and called 911 immediately. They arrived quickly and successfully put the fire out. Firemen told him it appeared to have been electrical and he was lucky they got there as quick as they did. Insurance claim adjuster took it to a ford shop (closest) where they had it for a week and said they couldn't get parts, but were aware of a recall coming on the area the fire had occurred in (the wiring harness and ABS module). It was then sent to a mazda dealer, that had it for 10 days, and finally said the needed parts were obsolete and they could not repair the vehicle. Claims adjuster checked with another ford and another mazda dealer, getting the same answers from both. By the way, when they checked on the VIN, they said it was not on any mazda recalls. This was at the end of january/beginning of february 2012. So after all this, they had to total a vehicle that only had about 77,000 miles on it and was in excellent condition otherwise. The day I get home from having documents notarized for the insurance company, in my mailbox is a recall from mazda....this very one 6712a, which I had already found online days prior to the mazda dealers denying our VIN was included. The recall letter states the work from a prior recall in 2007 regarding this issue had been done. We are very grateful this fire did not cause an accident or more serious emergency situation. And we are grateful our insurance company isn't holding things up due to mazda's lack of help.

Filed Jul 4, 2011 · Airbags, Electrical · 80,000 miles · TX

Airbag light stays on constantly.. Found out on this forum that my airbag(s) may not deploy in the case of an accident. Not good. Clearly mazda/ford should "man up" and acknowledge this safety problem with a recall!

Filed Mar 21, 2011 · Airbags · 70,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mazda tribute. The contact stated that the seat belt wiring was faulty, causing the air bag warning light to illuminate. In the event of a crash that the air bags would not deploy. The dealer was unaware of the issue and did not offer any assistance. The manufacturer advised the contact that there were no recalls and that since her vehicle was no longer under warranty they would not be able to provide any additional assistance. A local mechanic informed the contact that a new restraining kit would need to be installed. The current mileage was 95,000 and the failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Dec 14, 2010 · Airbags · 115,323 miles · ME

I have a 2002 mazda tribute with a flashing air bag light. It has been diagnosed as a defective seat belt pretensioner. I called the local dealer and they will charge me for the repair. I called mazda USA ( case # [xxx])and they will not help. This seems as though it is a common problem with these vehicles. There are 2 safety issues 1) the seatbelt is defective and 2)the air bag may not deploy in the event of a collision. Is the federal safety agency going to address this safety issue and can you help me get this resolved. Thank you information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jan 28, 2010 · Airbags · 68,900 miles · WI

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mazda tribute. The air bag light is on since the wiring needed to be replaced; therefore, the air bag is inoperable in the event of a crash. The dealer informed the contact that she needed to replace the wiring in the vehicle. The mazda manufacturer stated that there was nothing they can do to assist with the repair. There were no recalls or warranties for the air bags. The failure mileage was 68,900.