Mazda 6, BT-50, RX8 Recall R/2016/084: Driver's Front Airbag May Fail To Deploy Correctly, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 29 Apr 2016
- Launched
- 32,030
- vehicles in the UK
- AF037A
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Mazda recalled 6, BT-50, RX8 vehicles built between 1 February 2003 and 1 February 2008. Continued exposure to high levels of absolute humidity may cause the driver,s front airbag inflator housing to rupture and deploy abnormally in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver,s front airbag. The recall notice describes the fix as: on affected vehicles replace air bag inflator. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Continued exposure to high levels of absolute humidity may cause the driver,s front airbag inflator housing to rupture and deploy abnormally in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver,s front airbag. Should the inflator rupture it could result in metal fragments striking the driver or other vehicle occupants.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: DRIVER'S FRONT AIRBAG MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY CORRECTLY Defect: Continued exposure to high levels of absolute humidity may cause the driver�s front airbag inflator housing to rupture and deploy abnormally in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver�s front airbag. Should the inflator rupture it could result in metal fragments striking the driver or other vehicle occupants. Remedy: On affected vehicles replace air bag inflator
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could cause the driver,s front airbag inflator housing to rupture and deploy abnormally in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver,s front airbag.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: on affected vehicles replace air bag inflator.
Are You Affected?
6, BT-50, RX8 built between 1 February 2003 and 1 February 2008 may be included. Mazda estimates 32,030 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Mazda, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Mazda.
- Book with any franchised Mazda dealer, quoting the campaign code AF037A or the DVSA reference R/2016/084. See how to get a Mazda recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BT-50Takata passenger air bag inflators may not operate as intended | Urgent | R/2018/320 | |
| 2, 3, 6Mounting points for seat runner may fail | Low | R/2017/150 | |
| 6Airbag may malfunction | Urgent | R/2017/048 | |
| 3, 6Engine may stall | Urgent | R/2014/134 | |
| 6Passenger side airbag may fail to deploy correctly | Urgent | R/2013/047 |
This is one of 103 Mazda recalls in DVSA’s data. The Mazda recall launched before it was R/2014/134 on 21 Oct 2014, for engine may stall. The one launched after it was R/2016/143 on 30 Jun 2016, for steering may fail. You can also see every Mazda recall, all recalls launched in 2016 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2016/084, launched 29 April 2016. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.