Recall 18V018 covers 2009, 2010, 2013 Mazda CX-7, MAZDA6, and CX-9 vehicles with passenger air bag inflators that explode. Do not drive. Free dealer repair.
An inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive this vehicle, even for short trips. If it must move, ask the Mazda dealer about towing. Repair is free at any franchised Mazda dealer.
Mazda is recalling 70,227 2009, 2010, and 2013 CX-7, MAZDA6, and CX-9 vehicles under recall 18V018 because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode during deployment. Do not drive if your VIN is included, because sharp metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death; a Mazda dealer will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator on the 2009, 2010, 2013 Mazda CX-7, MAZDA6, and CX-9 is the metal canister inside the passenger air bag module. In a crash that commands the air bag to deploy, the inflator produces gas that fills the air bag so it can cushion the passenger.
On affected vehicles, the propellant inside the inflator breaks down after long exposure to high humidity, high heat, and repeated temperature changes. If the air bag deploys, that degraded propellant can burn too aggressively and create too much pressure inside the inflator. The inflator body can rupture, sending metal fragments into the cabin instead of simply filling the air bag.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem appears only during an air bag deployment, so an included VIN needs the recall repair before the vehicle is driven. Do not drive if your VIN is included.
Who's affected?
Covers CX-7, MAZDA6, and CX-9 vehicles from the 2009, 2010, and 2013 model years, all tied to the passenger-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2009 Mazda CX-7 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2009 Mazda MAZDA6 | front air bag |
| 2009 Mazda CX-9 | front air bag |
| 2010 Mazda CX-7 | front air bag |
| 2010 Mazda CX-9 | front air bag |
| 2010 Mazda MAZDA6 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mazda CX-9 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mazda MAZDA6 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 70,227 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive this vehicle, even for short trips. If it must move, ask the Mazda dealer about towing. Repair is free at any franchised Mazda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009, 2010, or 2013 Mazda CX-7, MAZDA6, or CX-9 is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the passenger front air bag inflator replacement is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the vehicle must be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Mazda dealer to schedule the free passenger front air bag inflator replacement, which fixes an inflator that can explode during deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if Mazda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V018 and Mazda recall 1317F when you call.
- Call Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 with questions about scheduling or dealer handling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mazda technician replaces the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator. The recall repair is available now, and the replacement parts and labor are free of charge. Mazda's general reimbursement plan is on file for related out of pocket repairs paid before the recall repair was completed. Keep repair orders, invoices, and payment records together, then ask Mazda customer service or the dealer service desk how to submit the documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 9, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 2, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 13, 2024 | Dealer notification began |
| August 14, 2024 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 8, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V018?
Recall 18V018 covers 70,227 2009, 2010, and 2013 Mazda CX-7, MAZDA6, and CX-9 vehicles with certain passenger frontal air bag inflators. In a crash, the inflator can explode and send sharp metal fragments into occupants, causing serious injury or death.
What should I do if my 2009, 2010, 2013 Mazda CX-7, MAZDA6, or CX-9 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V018. If it is, do not drive it until a franchised Mazda dealer replaces the front passenger air bag inflator. Ask Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 about towing or safe transport.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Mazda to repair the defect at no cost. A franchised Mazda dealer will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator for free, including parts and labor.
What does do not drive mean for this Mazda recall?
Do not drive the vehicle until the recall repair is complete. This recall involves a passenger frontal air bag inflator that can explode during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin. Ask the dealer or Mazda customer service about towing before moving the vehicle.
What if I bought this Mazda used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to see whether your exact CX-7, MAZDA6, or CX-9 is included, then reference recall 18V018 and Mazda recall number 1317F when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V018000 |
|---|---|
| Mazda customer service | 1-800-222-5500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V018 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V018000 |
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 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 →