If your VIN is in recall 18V016, do not drive. Mazda replaces the passenger air bag inflator for free at a franchised dealer.
An air bag inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive the truck, including short trips. Call the dealer and ask about towing or safe transport. Repair is free at any franchised Mazda dealer.
Mazda is recalling 84 2009 B-Series Truck vehicles under recall 18V016 because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode during crash deployment after propellant degradation. Do not drive these trucks until a Mazda dealer completes the free repair, since sharp metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator in the 2009 Mazda B-Series Truck is the metal canister inside the passenger air bag module. In a crash that calls for the passenger air bag, the inflator burns propellant to create gas that fills the bag in front of the passenger. The module depends on controlled pressure, not a burst inside the inflator body.
On affected trucks, the propellant wafers inside certain Takata inflators break down after long exposure to high absolute humidity, high heat, and repeated temperature changes. When the air bag deploys, degraded propellant burns too aggressively and creates excessive pressure. That pressure can rupture the inflator body and send metal fragments through the passenger air bag area.
There is no warning sign before failure. The truck can look and drive normally until a crash triggers the passenger air bag, so the defect is not something an owner can hear, smell, or feel during routine driving.
Who's affected?
| 2009 Mazda B-Series Truck | front air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 84 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
An air bag inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive the truck, including short trips. Call the dealer and ask about towing or safe transport. Repair is free at any franchised Mazda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009 Mazda B-Series Truck is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the truck until the passenger air bag inflator replacement is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the truck must be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Mazda dealer to schedule the free passenger air bag inflator replacement that addresses the inflator explosion risk.
- Call Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 with questions, and reference recall number 18V016 and Mazda recall 2118A when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mazda technician replaces the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Mazda's general reimbursement plan is on file for owners who already paid for a related inflator repair before the recall repair. Bring repair orders, receipts, and proof of payment to the service desk, or contact Mazda customer service and ask how to submit the documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 9, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 23, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| February 23, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 9, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 15, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V016?
Recall 18V016 covers 84 2009 Mazda B-Series Truck vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode during deployment. Metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death. Do not drive if your VIN is included until a Mazda dealer completes the free inflator replacement.
What should I do if my 2009 Mazda B-Series Truck is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 18V016. If it is, do not drive it. Call a franchised Mazda dealer or Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, reference Mazda recall 2118A, and ask about towing for the free passenger air bag inflator replacement.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Mazda dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall repair at no cost at any franchised Mazda dealer.
What does 'do not drive' mean for this Mazda recall?
Do not drive the truck until the recall repair is complete. The passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode during a crash that triggers deployment, sending sharp metal fragments into the cabin. Ask the Mazda dealer about towing if the vehicle has to move.
When did Mazda start this recall repair?
Mazda began the recall repair on June 15, 2018. The remedy is available now, and the dealer replaces the front passenger air bag inflator for free once your VIN is confirmed in recall 18V016.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V016000 |
|---|---|
| Mazda customer service | 1-800-222-5500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V016 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V016000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →