Passenger frontal air bag inflator may explode
Defect Summary
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.
Safety Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Corrective Action
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.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Mazda North American Operations or involving Air Bags.
FAQ: Recall 18V402000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 18V402000?
NHTSA recall 18V402000 was issued by Mazda North American Operations on June 15, 2018. It addresses: Passenger frontal air bag inflator may explode. The recall affects approximately 308,591 vehicles, with the defect involving the Air Bags component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Mazda North American Operations dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 18V402000 or the manufacturer campaign number 2618F. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
What does "Do Not Drive" mean for this recall?
NHTSA has flagged this recall as Do Not Drive, meaning the defect poses an immediate safety risk and affected vehicles should not be operated until they are repaired. Owners should contact their dealer immediately and may be eligible for free towing or a loaner vehicle while awaiting parts.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.