Recall 18V404 affects 4,184 2005-2009 Mazda Mpv and RX-8 vehicles for passenger air bag inflators. Do not drive. Free repair at any franchised Mazda dealer.
A passenger air bag inflator explosion can send metal fragments into vehicle occupants, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips. Call a Mazda dealer and ask about towing or another safe way to move it. Repair is free at any franchised Mazda dealer.
Mazda is recalling 4,184 2005-2009 Mpv and RX-8 vehicles under recall 18V404 because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode during a crash deployment after long-term propellant degradation. Do not drive an included vehicle until a Mazda dealer completes the free repair; 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 2005-2009 Mazda Mpv and RX-8 vehicles is the metal canister inside the passenger air bag module. In a crash that calls for passenger air bag deployment, the inflator burns propellant to create gas that fills the air bag quickly. The inflator has to build pressure in a controlled way, then send gas into the bag instead of through the inflator body.
On the affected vehicles, the Takata inflator uses propellant that breaks down after long exposure to humidity, heat, and repeated temperature changes. When degraded propellant burns, combustion becomes too aggressive and pressure inside the inflator rises beyond its intended limit. The inflator body can rupture, sending pieces of metal from the air bag module into the passenger area during deployment.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag can look normal, and the problem only appears when the passenger frontal air bag deploys in a crash.
Who's affected?
The model-year split is uneven: Mpv appears for 2005 and 2006, while RX-8 appears from 2005 through 2009 for the same front air bag component.
| 2005 Mazda Mpv | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2005 Mazda RX-8 | front air bag |
| 2006 Mazda Mpv | front air bag |
| 2006 Mazda RX-8 | front air bag |
| 2007 Mazda RX-8 | front air bag |
| 2008 Mazda RX-8 | front air bag |
| 2009 Mazda RX-8 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 4,184 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A passenger air bag inflator explosion can send metal fragments into vehicle occupants, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips. Call a Mazda dealer and ask about towing or another safe way to move it. Repair is free at any franchised Mazda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2005-2009 Mazda Mpv or RX-8 is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the passenger air bag inflator replacement is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the vehicle has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact your nearest franchised Mazda dealer to schedule the free passenger air bag inflator replacement that addresses the inflator explosion risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Mazda sent one. If not, reference recall number 18V404 when you call.
- Call Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4, with questions and mention Mazda recall 2618F.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mazda technician replaces the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator. Parts and labor are free under the recall, and the repair is available now. Mazda has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid out of pocket for a related air bag inflator repair before the recall repair was completed. Bring receipts or other repair documentation to the service desk and ask how Mazda handles the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 15, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 28, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| June 28, 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 18V404?
Recall 18V404 covers 4,184 2005-2009 Mazda Mpv and RX-8 vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode during deployment. Metal fragments can strike occupants, causing serious injury or death. Mazda dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator for free.
What should I do if my 2005-2009 Mazda Mpv or RX-8 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Mazda is included in recall 18V404. If it is, do not drive the vehicle. Call a franchised Mazda dealer and ask about towing for the free front passenger air bag inflator replacement.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost, and Mazda will replace the front passenger air bag inflator free of charge at any franchised Mazda dealer.
What does 'Do not drive' mean for this recall?
Do not drive the vehicle until the recall repair is complete. That includes short trips. This recall involves a passenger frontal air bag inflator that can explode during deployment, sending metal fragments toward occupants. Ask the Mazda dealer about towing if the vehicle has to move.
What if I bought my Mazda used?
The free repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner or where the vehicle was purchased. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Mazda is included, then reference recall 18V404 when you call a franchised Mazda dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V404000 |
|---|---|
| Mazda customer service | 1-800-222-5500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V404 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V404000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →