2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE Air Bags Problems

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE OWNER'S VEHICLE. THE OWNER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH FORCE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CRUSHED RIBS AND A BROKEN RIGHT FOOT THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OTHER DRIVER LEFT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,270.

TAKATA RECALL

Mileage: 121,875

MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING ON AND OFF FOR A WHILE NOW. I REMOVED THE ITEMS UNDER THE SEAT AND THE LIGHTS WENT OFF AND WORKED FOR ALMOST A MONTH. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LIGHTS ARE NOW FLASHING AGAIN, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE NO ITEMS BELOW MY SEATS. I WAS ABLE TO SEARCH ONLINE AND SEE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ISSUES WITH THE SEATBELT PRETENSIONERS AND/OR THE CONNECTIONS BELOW THE SEAT THAT NEED TO BE WIGGLED OR DISCONNECTED AND THEN RE-PLUGGED IN TO MAKE THE LIGHT GO OUT. IT HAS HAPPENED IN ALL SITUATIONS INCLUDING STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON THE HIGHWAY, OR IN THE CITY.

Mileage: 160,000

I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY MAZDA FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES ON A 75 DEGREE DAY IN SOUTH TEXAS WHEN TURNING ONTO A FLAT, UNOBSTRUCTED, SMOOTH PAVED ROAD THROUGH A KOA PARK. AFTER TURNING, I WAS ONLY DRIVING THE 5 MILE AN HOUR SPEED LIMIT THROUGH THIS PARK, WHEN SUDDENLY THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG EXPLODED IN MY FACE WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER . THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD HAVE EVEN SLIGHTLY INDICATED A COLLISION -- NOT A SPEED BUMP, NOT A BIRD OR ANIMAL, OR ANYTHING. IT WAS JUST A SMOOTH, SLOW DRIVE AT 5 MILES AN HOUR ON A SUNNY DAY. THERE WAS 60% HUMIDITY FROM PRIOR DAYS RAIN. I HAD MY ARM UP TO MY FACE ALREADY WHEN IT HAPPENED, WHICH TOOK THE BRUNT OF THE HIT TO MY WRIST AND FOREARM. WITHIN LESS THAN 5 SECONDS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODED ALSO. BOTH RANG OUT A SHOT LIKE A PISTOL IN THE CLOSED WINDOW CAR. SMOKE AND BURNING SMELL STARTED FILLING THE CAR, AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP SINCE ONLY GOING 5 MILES AN HOUR, AND GET MYSELF OUT OF THE CAR QUICKLY. MY ARM SUSTAINED HUGE WELTS FROM THE IMPACT AND WRIST FELT EXTREMELY HURT AND BRUISED AND BECAME VERY STIFF AND HARD TO BEND. THIS WAS ALL WITNESSED BY AN RV CAMPER AT THE KOA PARK WHO WAS SITTING 15 FEET AWAY AND WAS STARTLED BY THE PISTOL FIRE SOUND OF THE EXPLODING BAGS. HE CAME OVER TO HELP, WHILE I LET THE SMOKE AIR OUT OF THE CAR. THE DRIVER'S SIDE EXPLOSION DESTROYED THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL, AND A LARGE CHUNK OF 3"X5" PLASTIC HAD BEEN TORN LOSE AND PROPELLED DURING THE EXPLOSION. I'M NOT SURE IF THAT IS WHAT PUT THE WELTS ON MY ARM OR THE BAG ITSELF IT HAPPENED SO SUDDENLY. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC 3 MILES AWAY, DAN'S AUTO SERVICE OF PORT ISABEL, TEXAS, TO HAVE HIM INSPECT WHAT HAPPENED. HE INDICATED HE COULD SEE NO INDICATION THAT THE COLLISION SENSORS HAD BEEN TOUCHED TO SET THEM OFF, AND HAD NO IDEA WHY THE BOTH BAGS WOULD TRIGGER LIKE THAT.

Mileage: 163,555

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING FORWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE A LEFT TURN AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FACE LACERATIONS FROM PLASTIC FRAGMENTS AFTER THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000. UPDATED 8/19/15*CN UPDATED 9/30/2015*JS........UPDATED 12/17/15 *BF UPDATED 10/17/2017*CN

Mileage: 138,000

MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS STAYING ON. I DECIDED TO LEAVE A COMPLAINT ON HERE BECAUSE I SEE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS IN THE MAZDA TRIBUTE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DUVAL MAZDA TO ASK THEM TO RESET THE COMPUTER SINCE WE FIGURED THAT WAS ALL THAT WAS NEEDED. THEY CALLED US LATER IN THE DAY AND TOLD US THAT TO REPAIR THE CAR SO THAT THE LIGHT WOULD GO OUT, WOULD COST $397.21. WE DECLINED SINCE THEY TOLD US THEY NEEDED TO REBUILD THE WIRING FOR THE AIRBAGS. WHEN WE PICKED UP THE CAR (DECLINED THE REPAIR), THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS STATED: "B1881 STORED-P/S SAFETYBELT PRETENSIONER CIRCUIT FAILURE. TSB: 08-001/05 HAS UPDATED CONNECTORS THAT ARE SOLDERED IN TO REPLACE AND UPGRADE THE FAILING ONES." THIS SOUNDS LIKE IT SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ITEM NOT A CUSTOMER COST REPAIR ISSUE. OR AT THE VERY LEAST, A REPAIR AND NO CHARGE ITEM DONE BY THE DEALER SINCE IT APPEARS TO BE A FAILURE OF ORIGINAL PARTS THAT IMPACT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. WE HAVE NOT HAD REPAIRS DONE AT THIS POINT SINCE IT IS A COSTLY ONE AND DON'T KNOW WHO, OTHER THAN THE DEALER WILL DO THE REPAIRS FOR A MORE REASONABLE COST. THE DEALER DID STATE (NOT LISTED ANYWHERE ON THE ITEMIZED LIST OF MULTIPLE REPAIRS THAT THEY REALLY WANTED TO DO) THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS IMPACTING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ONLY. *TR

Mileage: 119,781

MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT BLINKS, THEN STAYS ON SHORTLY AFTER I CRANK THE VEHICLE. I HAD IT CHECKED AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT NEEDED A NEW FUSE BECAUSE IT WAS SHORTING OUT. HE REPLACED THE FUSE AND IT IMMEDIATELY SHORTED OUT AGAIN. HE TOLD ME THAT MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IS SHORTING OUT AND I WILL NEED TO REPLACE IT. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE, SO I CALLED MAZDA AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY PROBLEM TO REPAIR IT DUE TO THE AGE OF MY VEHICLE. IS THIS TRUE? I CAN'T BELIEVE THE COMPLACENCY OF THE MAN I SPOKE TO ABOUT THE ISSUE. I NEED THIS ADDRESSED, BUT DO NOT BELIEVE THAT I HAD ANY CONTROL IN THE POOR CONDITION OF THIS PART. IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SUFFERS FROM SIMPLE WEAR AND TEAR ISSUES, LIKE BRAKES OR HOSES! I HOPE THAT WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS, SOMEONE WILL REALIZE THAT IT IS A REAL PROBLEM, BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET HURT OR KILLED. *TR

THE AIR BAG DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED BUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WON'T COVER IT. ALSO MAZDA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM, THEY SAID THEY HAD A BULLETIN ON IT BUT IT EXPIRED. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR SINCE WE JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 2 YEARS AGO AND IT HAD ALREADY EXPIRED. WHY DIDN'T MAZDA FIX IT BEFORE THEY SOLD IT TO US? I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT'S THEIR ISSUE, NOT SOMETHING WE CONTRIBUTED TOO. I WAS ALSO TOLD IF WE DON'T FIX IT WE WON'T PASS SAFETY INSPECTION. THIS IS CRAZY THAT THEY CAN SELL THINGS THAT THEY WILLINGLY KNOW HAVE A SAFETY ISSUE BUT THEN WANT TO CHARGE US FOR THE MANUFACTURES ERROR. P.S. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT FROM THE SAME DEALER AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER BOUGHT IT AND HAD ALL THE SERVICE WORK DONE. THAT'S WHY I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE BULLETIN DIDN'T GET DONE. *TR

Mileage: 74,000

AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD STAY ILLUMINATED HAD IT LOOKED AT BY DEALER BACK IN 2005 PROBLEM WAS TEMPORARILY FIXED STARTED TO COME BACK ON MONTHS AFTER I HAD THE DEALER FIX IT KNOW THE LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN INITIAL START AND THERE IS A BEEPING SOUND IT BEEPS 5XS STOPS THEN STARTS AGAIN WHILE DRIVING.I FEARED THAT WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY OR IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IT MAY NOT DEPLOY THIS SEEMS TO ME LIKE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF, THEN STAYING ON. IS NOW ALWAYS ON. DEALER SAID IT WAS A FAILURE IN A SENSOR CONNECTION UNDER THE SEAT(S). I HAVE SEEN MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEM FAILURE ONLINE. APPARENTLY IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE MAZDA DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $500 TO FIX IT. TOUGH TO DO DURING TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES. GUESS IT'S FOOD OR POSSIBLE FATALITY. WHICH WOULD MAZDA RECOMMEND? *TR

Mileage: 90,000

THERE IS A WELL DOCUMENTED AND COMMON PROBLEM ON 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTES WHERE THE AIR BAG FAILURE LIGHT COMES ON. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE DOCUMENTED THIS PROBLEM AND ALSO INDICATED THAT THEIR AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. MY AIR BAG FAILURE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. AMAZINGLY, NO SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATION HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH I THOUGHT IT WOULD SURELY BE ISSUED AFTER ALL THESE YEARS AND REPORTED PROBLEMS. HERE IS JUST ONE URL WITH SOME OF THE DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS. HTTP://CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/MAZDA/TRIBUTE/AIR-BAG-PROBLEMS.PHP ONE CAN EASILY FIND OTHER, SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB. I FEAR THAT MY AIRBAGS WILL ALSO NOT DEPLOY SHOULD I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 20,150

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE WERE TWO SEAT SENSORS THAT FAILED ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEATS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY.. FOUND OUT ON THIS FORUM THAT MY AIRBAG(S) MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. NOT GOOD. CLEARLY MAZDA/FORD SHOULD "MAN UP" AND ACKNOWLEDGE THIS SAFETY PROBLEM WITH A RECALL! *TR

Mileage: 80,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WIRING WAS FAULTY, CAUSING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALER WAS UNAWARE OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THAT SINCE HER VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. A LOCAL MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A NEW RESTRAINING KIT WOULD NEED TO BE INSTALLED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

I HAVE A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH A FLASHING AIR BAG LIGHT. IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY WILL CHARGE ME FOR THE REPAIR. I CALLED MAZDA USA ( CASE # [XXX])AND THEY WILL NOT HELP. THIS SEEMS AS THOUGH IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. THERE ARE 2 SAFETY ISSUES 1) THE SEATBELT IS DEFECTIVE AND 2)THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. IS NHTSA GOING TO ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND CAN YOU HELP ME GET THIS RESOLVED. THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 115,323

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON SINCE THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; THEREFORE, THE AIR BAG IS INOPERABLE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WIRING IN THE VEHICLE. THE MAZDA MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES FOR THE AIR BAGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,900.

Mileage: 68,900

I HAVE A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE NEW AND IT HAS BEEN IN A GARAGE THE WHOLE TIME. RECENTLY THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND I TOOK INTO A MAZDA DEALER TO HAVE CHECKED OUT AND REPAIRED. THE CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION WAS BECAUSE OF CORRODED CONNECTORS FOUND UNDER THE FRONT SEAT OF THE CAR. THE RESULTING REPAIR WAS OVER $500.00. OF THE REPAIR $127.40 WAS PARTS AND THE BALANCE WAS LABOR. I FEEL THAT IS A SAFETY DEVICE THAT YOUR LIFE COULD RELY ON AND FEEL IT IS TOTALLY NEGLIGENT OF THE AUTO MANUFACTURE OF THE AUTO MANUFACTURE TO PROVIDE A SYSTEM THAT INVOLVES SAFETY THAT IS NOT 100% RELIABLE FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS SUV HAS 84,000 MILES ON IT AND FAILED. I HAVE OTHER CARS THAT HAVE 250 THOUSAND MILES ON THEM WITH NO PROBLEMS. IN SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRIBUTE AND THE FORD EXPLORER AND FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO DO A RECALL ON THE CARS AND THIS PART REPLACED WITH ONE THAT IS 100% RELIABLE. I THINK A CONSUMER SHOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT IF NEEDED THIS PRODUCT WOULD FUNCTION WAS IT IS EXPECTED AND SOLD TO FUNCTION. *TR

Mileage: 84,625

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR CHEST INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, AND ERROR CODES WERE PRODUCED FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG RETRACTOR CIRCUIT AND THE SEAT BELT LIGHT DEVICE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,640. UPDATED 02/05/09 *BF UPDATED 02/09/09. *JB

Mileage: 107,000

AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ACTIVATES SERVICE BULLETIN:0800205 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER:10017557. *NM

Mileage: 18,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSISTENTLY AND FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED UPON INVESTIGATION THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEATBELTS WERE AFFECTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION.

Mileage: 81,438

I HAVE A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE AN IN AUGUST 2005 THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK AND THEN REMAINED ON. AFTER A FEW DAYS OF TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED, THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THE PART HAD TO BE SHIPPED VIA GROUND SERVICE DUE TO (EXPLOSIVE) MATERIALS CONTAINED IN THE PART I WAS TOLD I COULD PICK UP MY CAR. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT I SHOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING ON ITS OWN BUT THAT IF I WERE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT THAT IT MAY NOT DEPLOY. AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR 10 DAYS THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED AND I GOT MY CAR BACK. FAST FORWARD TO MAY 2006, MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG BUT THIS TIME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD FLAT OUT THAT MY AIR BAG MAY NOT WORK IF I WERE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT. WHAT IS EVEN MORE CONCERNING IS THAT THIS IS APPARENTLY NOT THE FIRST ISSUE LIKE THIS AND FORD ESCAPE CARS IN THE SAME MAKE YEAR HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES. *NM

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT KEEPS STAYING ON. *NM

Mileage: 39,000

THERE IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN MY MAZDA, TRIBUTE CAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED AT 23854 MILES. THE MAZDA DEALER LOOKED INTO IT AND STATED ON ITS REPORT "CHECKED AND FOUND WIRE HARNESS GOING TO SEAT BELT PRETENSIONS BUCKLE BROKEN-WIRE YELLOW AND RED STRIPE LOCATED AT H15". THE PROBLEM WAS RECTIFIED AT THE TIME. HOWEVER, THE CAR NOW REACHED 38,000 MILES AND THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN. MY CAR IS OUT OF MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY NOW AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE, THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND MUST BE FIXED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE MANUFACTURER. ESPECIALLY, WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED DURING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE. AS YOU AWARE, A MALFUNCTION OF AIRBAG SYSTEM CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH IN CASE OF A COLLISION. AS PER MY LOCAL FORMER MAZDA DEALER, MAZDA KNOWS ABOUT EXISTENCE OF THIS AIRBAG ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN IGNORED AND NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN INDICATED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB

Mileage: 38,000

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK *NM

Mileage: 41,318

AIRBAG LIGHT- THE "TRIB" HAS BEEN TO 2 DEALERS 3 TIMES FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT; IT WILL GO IN FOR THE 4TH TIME TO ONCE AGAIN GET "BAND-AIDED". EACH TIME THEIR ANSWER WAS TO SHOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE WIRE BACK UNDER THE SEAT. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT IS DUE TO ME STORING THINGS UNDER THE SEAT, WHICH I AM NOT, THAT IS MAKING THE WIRE COME DOWN. I ASSUME WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THAT EITHER THE FORCE OF SOMEONE SITTING DOWN IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, OR IF A PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT KICKS THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WHILE GETTING IN OR SITTING, IT WILL EVENTUALLY MAKE THE WIRE COME OFF OF THE SEAT RESULTING IN THE AIRBAG ERROR. I AM ABLE TO & HAVE PUT THE WIRE BACK UP UNDER THE SEAT APPROX. 4 TIMES MYSELF, BUT WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO KEEP DOING THIS? A WEEK AGO, I WAS CLEANING THE INTERIOR LISTENING TO A CD WITH THE MOTOR OFF. WHEN I PULLED DOWN THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW, THE MUSIC STARTED GOING ON AND OFF (LOSING POWER). IF I ROLLED THE WINDOW UP IT WAS FINE, AS SOON AS IT WAS PARTIALLY DOWN, IT INTERMITTENTLY LOST POWER AGAIN. THE TRIB ENDED UP LOSING ALL POWER & UNFORTUNATELY, I DIDN'T HAVE A BATTERY TESTER TO TEST THE BATTERY. I DECIDED TO PUT A BATTERY CHARGER ON IT, AND AFTER 10 MINUTES I TRIED TO START IT AND IT TURNED OVER. I WISH I DID HAVE SOMETHING TO TEST THE BATTERY TO SEE IF IT WAS THE BATTERY OR A SHORT. I HAVE NO CLUE IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT, BUT IT HAPPENED AT THE SAME TIME. I AM GUESSING THAT THERE IS PERHAPS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, SINCE IT REALLY MAKES NO SENSE TO ME WHY THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD GO OFF BY THE WIRE COMING OFF OF THE SEAT TO BEGIN WITH. LET ME ADD THAT I LOVE MY TRIB, EXCEPT FOR THIS ANNOYING AND POSSIBLY LIFE THREATENING AIRBAG PROBLEM.*AK

Mileage: 10,662

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TWICE, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A CAUSE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE SRS LIGHT FLASHED ON AND REMAINED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB

I OWN A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. I AM CONTINUALLY TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE LIGHT STAYS ON, THEN GOES OFF FOR A DAY OR SO, THEN BACK ON. I HAVE VISITED THE DEALERSHIP ON FOUR OCCASSIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR THE AIR BAG LIGHT, THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE WIRE UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. WELL, GUESS WHAT? AS SOON AS I DROVE IT HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF OR WHEN I NEED THE AIRBAG, IT WON'T WORK. PLEASE CHECK INTO A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOYED, NO WARNING LIGHT APPEARED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. *AK

Mileage: 23,000

6 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER THAT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM I'VE HAD HAS BEEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE SERVICE DEPT. FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON @ 7 TIMES W/IN THE LAST YEAR. SOMETIMES THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF BY ITSELF W/OUT ME HAVING TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM.*AK

THE AIR BAG LIGHT GOES OFF IN THE CAR. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT MEANT THE AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED 5 TIMES AND IT CONTINUES TO GO ON. *LA

WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR PROCEEDING TO A STOP, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING. THE BRAKES WILL FREEZE UP AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CAR IS TO PULL UP ON THE HAND BRAKE. THE CAR WILL RESTART. THIS HAS ALWAYS HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC AND IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP THE FIRST TIME ON MAY 3, 2003. DEALER SAID THAT THEY REPLACED THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM ARISED WHERE THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED IN TRAFFIC. BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER ON JUNE 3, 2003, THEY SAID THERE WAS IMPROPER OPERATION AND REPROGRAMMED THE PCM. THE CAR DIED DOWN AGAIN A WEEK LATER WHILE DRIVING SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY. AGAIN BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE THIRD TIME JUNE 19, 2003. LEFT THE CAR OVERNIGHT AND HAD THE TECHNICIAN DRIVE THE CAR 100+ MILES HOME, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND SENT THE CAR HOME. CAR DIED AGAIN IN TRAFFIC. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOURTH TIME ON JULY 1, 2003, AND ONCE AGAIN DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CAR. ADVISED ME TO KEEP DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL THEY PROBLEM WORSENED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE CAR IS IN MOTION AT ALL TIMES WHEN IT HAS DIED AND IN TRAFFIC. A POTENTIONAL DANGEROUS AND FATAL SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY! THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE 2002, AND SINCE THEN IT HAS HAD A MASTER CYLINDER LEAK, AIR BAG CIRCUIT FAILURE, AS WELL AS FUEL SYSTEM ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEMS. MAZDA NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL RISK FACTORS INVOLVED IN ITS TRIBUTE MODELS AND RECALL THE CARS.*AK

Mileage: 26,540

WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD. *JB PH *JB

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *JB

Mileage: 32,000

DRIVER OF VEHICLE 1 RAN RED LIGHT AT AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 40-45 MPH AND HIT PASSENGER DOOR OF VEHICLE 2 CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE 2 AND TOTALLY FRONT END OF VEHICLE 1. WE OWN VEHICLE 2. IT IS A MAZDA TRIBUTE 4 DOOR SPORTS UTILITY VEHICLE WITH DUAL FRONT AIR BAGS AND OPTION AIR BAG 2 WHICH IS FRONT-SIDE AIR BAGS. WE HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES OF VEHICLE 2 THAT WE CAN SEND YOU. OUR CONCERN IS THAT GIVEN THE VIOLENCE AND LOCATION OF THE IMPACT TO THE PASSENGER DOOR, WHY DID THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG FAIL TO ACTIVATE?

Mileage: 8,000