— Mazda is recalling nearly 375,000 cars in the U.S. to replace passenger-side Takata airbags, mostly in cars that have already been recalled for Takata airbag problems.
For previous Mazda owners who have went through the time and trouble to get the airbags repaired, you'll need more time to do it all again.
The latest recall includes the 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and the 2004 Mazda RX-8 with passenger frontal airbags that may explode in a crash.
Having caused millions of vehicles to be recalled, some for numerous times, the Takata airbags contain metal inflators that can explode and send shrapnel into car occupants. With eight confirmed deaths in the U.S. and over 100 injuries, Takata continues to test inflators that have been returned from previous recalls.
Mazda says Takata made contact on December 15, 2015, telling the automaker the passenger airbag inflators could explode in the 2003-2008 Mazda6. Takata said it determined a recall was necessary based on a recent test of a returned inflator.
Mazda also discovered the 2006-2007 MazdaSpeed6 and certain 2004 Mazda RX-8 cars also contain the defective passenger airbags.
The 2003-2008 Mazda6 cars were manufactured May 29, 2002, to May 5, 2008, the 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles were built July 1, 2005, to June 29, 2007, and a limited production of the 2004 Mazda RX-8 was produced June 25, 2003, to June 30, 2003.
As noted earlier, owners of the cars who have already had airbags replaced are asked to do it again.
In May 2013, Mazda recalled the 2003-2004 Mazda6 and 2004 RX-8 to replace airbag inflators, and in June 2014, the 2003-2007 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6, 2004 and 2004-2008 RX-8 were recalled to repair the airbags.
This latest recall supersedes the previous recalls, which means another trip to the dealership.
In December 2014, Mazda recalled the 2003-2007 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8 and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6. The automaker says some of those vehicles will need to be brought back to dealerships for airbag repairs.
The automaker didn't say when the Takata airbag recall will begin. Mazda dealers will replace the passenger-side frontal airbag, but with questions or concerns, call Mazda at 800-222-5500 and use recall number 9015L.
Read what owners say about the Mazda6, RX-8 and Mazdaspeed6.
