Mazda expands scope of vehicles affected by Takata airbag recall to 330k
Fri, Dec 12 2014
As before, the affected vehicles are Mazda6 and RX-8 cars from the 2004 to 2008 model years.
Mazda reports that Takata has tested a "large number of inflators removed from Mazda vehicles" and not found any to be "non-compliant" as of yet. With that said, the company also reports in its statement that one 2005 Mazda6, located in Florida, has been identified as having had an "abnormal" deployment of the driver's side airbag.
For what it's worth, though the company's statement references the Takata inflator issue as a proper recall, it is calling its own program of notification a "Safety Improvement Campaign" for the moment. Find the full, if brief, Mazda press release in the form below.
UPDATED MAZDA STATEMENT REGARDING TAKATA AIRBAGS
Dec 11, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC (December 11, 2014) – In addition to the actions announced on December 4, 2014, as discussed in a separate document, Mazda today announced the following steps in the Takata recall:
Mazda will institute a nationwide Safety Improvement Campaign of 2004-2008 model-year Mazda6 and RX-8 models equipped with certain Takata airbag inflators.
The nationwide Safety Improvement Campaign will cover the driver's-side airbag inflator, as Mazda has not made a safety defect determination at this time. This action will support us to gather additional parts for examination and to promote customer satisfaction and safety.
There are approximately 330,000 vehicles included in this Safety Improvement Campaign in the United States
So far, Takata has tested a large number of inflators removed from Mazda vehicles, and NONE have been found to be non-compliant at this time
One vehicle – a 2005 Mazda6 located in Florida – has been identified as having experienced an abnormal driver's-side airbag deployment. Mazda has worked closely with NHTSA on this situation
Mazda will participate in the independent, industry-wide joint testing program for Takata airbag inflators
For history, on December 4, 2014, Mazda announced:
It would expand the area of the high-temperature, high-humidity region recall to include the Gulf Coast states. This campaign included both driver's- and passenger-side airbag inflators
The following states and territories comprise the High Absolute Humidity Region - Florida; Puerto Rico; Hawaii; Saipan; Guam; American Samoa; US Virgin Islands; Georgia; Alabama; Louisiana; Mississippi; Texas.
As of December 4th, the estimated vehicles in all Mazda-Takata campaigns is 86,773. (Pending Polk Data confirmation).
Mazda is working closely with Takata to move forward the supply timing for replacement airbags. We continue to encourage customers to respond to our campaigns, and are making direct-to-customer phone calls and re-sending notification letters.
With safety as our first priority, we are cooperating with Takata to work toward finding a solution to this problem as early as possible
This situation is fluid, and updates will be provided regularly.
By Seyth Miersma
See also: Recharge Wrap-up: First EV to attempt Dakar Rally, Mazda makes bioplastic parts, Mazda considers expanding Takata recall nationwide, Takata air bag recall list.