Inappropriate air bag deployment

An NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation into Mazda vehicles. Closed 23 May 1997.

Investigation
PE97006
Type
Preliminary Evaluation
Opened
30 January 1997
Closed
23 May 1997

What NHTSA investigated

In january of 1997, odi opened a pe based on 9 odi complaints.odi is now aware of 51 complaints of alleged inappropriate air bag deployments.typical complaints include air bag deployments after the vehicle hit a pot hole while driving between 20 and 45 MPH and air bag deployments while driving at speeds between 20 and 60 MPH for no apparent reason.approximately 21 drivers alleged that they did not hit anything prior to the air bag deployment.in four of these incidents the driver claims to have lost control and hit a curb after the air bags deployed.in addition there are four incidents where the driver alleges that the air bags deployed after a tire blowout while driving.less common incidents include allegations of the air bags deploying after parking the vehicle and removing the key, crossing railroad tracks, while being towed, while braking, after hitting a curb, and after hitting a manhole cover.odi is upgrading this investigation to obtain additional information about the reports gathered to date, the sensors used in the vehicles, and to assess the impact that the alleged defect has on highway safety.

Vehicles covered

MakeModelModel years
Mazda6261995–1996

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.