While driving on the freeway at 75 mph, tried to avoid a vehicle that was unsafely changing lanes. Pushed brakes and veered towards left. The brakes (which are not ABS) responded slowly and I slammed in the middle divider. A couple month before the accident the dealer had the rotors resurfaced since the car was shaking vigorously while braking at high speeds. Also the air bags did not deploy during the accident. Took car to a mechanic and the mechanic was amazed that based on the visual frontal damage to the car the air bags did not deploy.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

My son purchased a new 2008 Mazda 3 in late July 2008. Last Saturday he slid on ice and hit a tree head on at approximately 30 mph and none of the air bags deployed. The car has roughly 7000 miles on it. The initial estimate for repairs is $9100. I contacted Mazda at 1-800-222-5500 (daniel) to try and determine why the air bags didn't deploy and was told that Mazda doesn't send an investigator out and I should contact my insurance company to determine why the air bags didn't deploy. My insurance company (farmers) tells me that they don't investigate unless there is reason to go after the manufacturer to help with medical expenses incurred due to the accident. I need to know why the air bags didn't work so the problem is corrected rather than just assume that they will next time. My son suffered whiplash to his neck and back and a strain to his left shoulder from the seat belt. I believe this was caused because the airbag didn't deploy to cushion the impact to the tree. Isn't that what they're there for? Mazda doesn't seem interested to know whether there is a defect or not.

- Geneva, IL, USA