Drivers frontal impact at 45 mph airbags did not deploy. My car 2003 Mazda Protege 5 was totaled. Now I am having neck and back pain when I use my car. I called Mazda they told me to use my insurance com. To investgate the airbags and get with madza.

- Macon, GA, USA

I was involved in a head-on collision in my 2003 Mazda protege5 while traveling approximately 10-20mph. The other party was traveling approximately 20-25mph. Upon impact, the seat belt pretensioner didn't work (I was wearing my seat belt) and none of the airbags infated. The damage to the car was mainly structural, estimates to fix the car were approximately $13,000-$14,000, subsequently the car was 'totaled'. to describe the structural damage, the frame was bent, the right fender and structural parts underneath were buckled at the windshield, and quite a few engine components destroyed as well as all of the 'cosmetic' parts on the front of the car. The damage was classified by the reporting police department as "major". in this accident, I received a patella (kneecap) fracture that is severe enough to keep me off work for approximately five weeks. Physical therapy will continue for a total of approximately 6-8 weeks. Medical bills will be approximately $8000 or more. On March 19, 2004, I visited the Mazda dealership I purchased the car from on January 4, 2004 (the car had only 1204 miles on it at time of accident). I inquired from the available service technician where the airbag sensor was located. It was explained to me that "there's a box that sits close to the dash, in front of the radio/cd changer. In this box is a cup with a little ball in it. Around the cup are the sensors that, if the cup and ball are jarred enough in a collision, will set off the airbags." I have been asked by my insurance company (esurance), by the other party's insurance company (aaa), and the collision center (1st class collision) why the airbags didn't go off. I see the other two complaints regarding this same equipment failure and am wondering when there will be something done - does someone have to be seriously injured or killed before an investigation is started? this airbag sensor system obviously seems to be an inadequate feature of this model of Mazda.

- Escondido, CA, USA