Recall 18V426 affects 682 2018 Mazda CX-5 vehicles because side curtain air bags can unfold incorrectly. Repair is free at any franchised Mazda dealer.
Mazda is recalling 682 2018 CX-5 SUVs because the side curtain air bags can fail to unfold properly during a side-impact or rollover crash. If the air bags deploy incorrectly, injury risk rises, and Mazda dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The side curtain air bag in the 2018 Mazda CX-5 sits along the roof rail above the side windows. In a side impact or rollover crash, it is designed to drop down like a curtain and help keep occupants from being thrown toward the window opening.
Recall 18V426 concerns the fabric used inside certain curtain air bags. After silicone was applied to the base fabric, the drying process was not adequate. That left a weak bond between the silicone and the fabric, so air can leak out while the air bag deploys. If that happens, the curtain air bag does not fully unfold during the crash sequence.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the curtain air bag material, so an owner would not see, hear, or feel it during normal driving.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Mazda CX-5 | side air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 682 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2018 Mazda CX-5 is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
NHTSA campaign 18V426 describes curtain air bags that fail to deploy properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. If your VIN is included, drive with extra caution and schedule the dealer repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mazda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Mazda CX-5 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Mazda dealer to schedule the free curtain-air-bag replacement for the side-impact and rollover deployment issue.
- Bring the recall notice if Mazda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V426 when you call.
- Call Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 with questions, and ask for Mazda recall 2718F.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mazda technician replaces the curtain air bags covered by this recall. The work is for the 2018 CX-5 vehicles included by VIN, and the replacement parts and labor are free. The goal is to make sure the side curtain air bags unfold correctly during deployment in a side impact or rollover crash. Mazda lists customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4, for recall questions.
Timeline
| June 25, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 29, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| June 29, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 16, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 16, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 31, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V426?
Recall 18V426 covers 682 2018 Mazda CX-5 vehicles with side curtain air bags that do not properly unfold during deployment in a side-impact or rollover crash. That failure increases injury risk. Mazda dealers will replace the curtain air bags for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Mazda CX-5 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V426. If it is, contact a franchised Mazda dealer to schedule the curtain air bag replacement. Reference Mazda recall number 2718F when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Mazda will replace the curtain air bags free of charge at any franchised Mazda dealer.
Is it safe to drive my 2018 Mazda CX-5 before the recall repair?
Mazda did not issue do-not-drive instructions for recall 18V426. The safety risk is tied to a side-impact or rollover crash, when the side curtain air bags do not properly unfold during deployment. Confirm your VIN and schedule the free repair.
What if I bought my Mazda CX-5 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires Mazda to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific CX-5 is included, then contact a franchised Mazda dealer for the free curtain air bag replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V426000 |
|---|---|
| Mazda customer service | 1-800-222-5500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V426 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V426000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (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 →