Recall 18V402 affects 308,591 2003-2011 Mazda MAZDA6/Mpv/RX-8/MAZDASPEED6 vehicles for passenger air bag inflators. Do not drive. Free repair at franchised Mazda dealers.
An inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips. If it has to move, ask the Mazda dealer about towing before the repair appointment. Repair is free at any franchised Mazda dealer.
Mazda is recalling 308,591 2003-2011 MAZDA6, RX-8, MAZDASPEED6, and Mpv vehicles because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode during deployment after long-term humidity and temperature exposure, sending sharp metal fragments toward occupants. Do not drive an affected vehicle until a Mazda dealer completes the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator in affected 2003-2011 Mazda MAZDA6, Mpv, RX-8, and MAZDASPEED6 vehicles is a metal canister inside the passenger air bag module. In a crash that needs air bag deployment, the inflator is supposed to create gas quickly and fill the bag in front of the passenger.
On affected vehicles, the Takata inflator uses phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant. After long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and temperature cycling, that propellant degrades. When the passenger air bag deploys, pressure inside the inflator can rise too sharply. The result is an inflator that explodes instead of opening in a controlled way.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not expected to hear a noise, see a light, or feel a change before the inflator ruptures during deployment.
Who's affected?
Spans MAZDA6, Mpv, RX-8, and MAZDASPEED6 across the 2003-2011 model years, all tied to the same passenger-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2005 Mazda MAZDA6 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2005 Mazda Mpv | front air bag |
| 2005 Mazda RX-8 | front air bag |
| 2003 Mazda MAZDA6 | front air bag |
| 2004 Mazda MAZDA6 | front air bag |
| 2004 Mazda RX-8 | front air bag |
| 2004 Mazda Mpv | front air bag |
| 2006 Mazda Mpv | front air bag |
| 2006 Mazda MAZDA6 | front air bag |
| 2006 Mazda RX-8 | front air bag |
| 2007 Mazda MAZDA6 | front air bag |
| 2007 Mazda RX-8 | front air bag |
| 2006 Mazda MAZDASPEED6 | front air bag |
| 2007 Mazda MAZDASPEED6 | front air bag |
| 2008 Mazda MAZDA6 | front air bag |
| 2008 Mazda RX-8 | front air bag |
| 2009 Mazda RX-8 | front air bag |
| 2010 Mazda RX-8 | front air bag |
| 2011 Mazda RX-8 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 308,591 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. 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 the vehicle, even for short trips. If it has to move, ask the Mazda dealer about towing before the repair appointment. Repair is free at any franchised Mazda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2003-2011 Mazda MAZDA6, Mpv, RX-8, or MAZDASPEED6 is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the front passenger air bag inflator replacement is complete.
- Arrange towing if the vehicle has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Mazda dealer to schedule the free front passenger air bag inflator replacement that addresses the inflator explosion risk.
- Bring the recall notice when you have it, and reference recall number 18V402 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Do not drive the vehicle until this recall repair is complete. 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 handles documented, related out-of-pocket repairs paid before the owner notice. If you already paid for a passenger air bag inflator repair tied to this recall, bring the repair invoice and payment proof to the service desk so Mazda can review it under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 15, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 27, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| June 27, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 6, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 6, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 6, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V402?
Recall 18V402 covers 308,591 2003-2011 Mazda MAZDA6, Mpv, RX-8, and MAZDASPEED6 vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode during a crash. Sharp metal fragments can strike occupants, causing serious injury or death.
What should I do if my 2003-2011 Mazda MAZDA6, Mpv, RX-8, or MAZDASPEED6 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V402. If it is, do not drive it until the front passenger air bag inflator is replaced. Call a franchised Mazda dealer and reference recall 18V402 or Mazda recall number 2618F.
Is it safe to drive my Mazda before this air bag recall is fixed?
No. Do not drive the vehicle if your VIN is included in recall 18V402. Mazda advises owners to keep affected vehicles off the road until the remedy is performed because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode during deployment.
Does the Mazda air bag recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Mazda dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
What if I bought my Mazda used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Mazda is included, then call a franchised Mazda dealer or Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V402000 |
|---|---|
| Mazda customer service | 1-800-222-5500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V402 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V402000 |
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 →