2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 7%of 303 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3, 7% of the 303 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,500 miles. 12 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“#1 air bag warning dash light remains illuminated and has stayed illuminated for approximately 1 1/2+ years. There is no Mazda dealership in my area and I initially believed it was my responsibility to replace or repair at my expense due to the vehicle's age. #2 brakes: vehicle was recently serviced and comprehensive safety inspected on 6 nov 2018. I asked the shop to check the brake pedal for abnormal pressure. I felt the brake pedal was not maintaining a firm pedal push while driving, but at first felt firm then softened almost all the way to the floor board. …”
NHTSA complaint #11155816, filed 2018-12, 134,091 miles“The air bag worning light comes on and off as I drive down the road. Truning, going over a bump etc. I was told they will not deploy if the light is on...”
NHTSA complaint #10907690, filed 2016-09, 115,000 miles“I was involved in a four car collision. I was third in line, and was hit really hard from behind and then hit the car in front of me. My air bags did not deploy and my seat belt did not lock. I slammed into the steering wheel and busted my forehead open.”
NHTSA complaint #10237955, filed 2008-08, 5,600 miles“The front passenger seat weight sensors are programmed to inactivate the front and side passenger air bags and the front passenger seat belt pretensioner if the front passenger weighs between 66 and 93 lbs. My wife weighs about 83 lbs. According to Mazda, this is not a defect, but a federal government requirement. I can understand the side air bag inactivation, but not the front air bag inactivation (you can push the seat far back) and certainly not the seat belt pretensioner inactivation. This rule is wrong and puts lives at risk. …”
NHTSA complaint #10537072, filed 2013-08, 1,000 miles“The car hit a bank then went airborne and came to to a tree and neither airbag deployed the car also hit a road sign and it was being driving down road”
NHTSA complaint #11311083, filed 2020-02, 200,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10153329Jan 10, 2019This information is provided to help address Passenger Airbag Deactivation (PAD) Indicator illumination concerns during vehicle service.
- 10136784Apr 5, 2018This information is provided to help address Passenger Airbag Deactivation (PAD) Indicator illumination concerns during vehicle service.
- 10134925Feb 16, 2018The Workshop Manual has two-different airbag procedures, one for Standard Deployment and one for Two-Step Deployment. Standard Deployment is for Mexico spec vehicles and Two-Step…
- 10213417Feb 5, 2016Passenger fAirbag deactivation (PAD) indicator light illumination
- 10110991Nov 19, 2013This information is provided to help address Passenger Airbag Deactivation (PAD) Indicator illumination con-cerns during vehicle service.
- 10054788Nov 19, 2013Mazda: information provided regarding the indicator light illumination of the passenger airbag deactivation (pad).
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 13% |
| 2024 | 1 | 8% |
| 2023 | 1 | 8% |
| 2022 | 12 | 50% |
| 2021 | 4 | 7% |
| 2019 | 6 | 8% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 6 | 6% |
| 2015 | 4 | 3% |
| 2014 | 4 | 3% |
| 2013 | 7 | 6% |
| 2012 | 17 | 8% |
| 2011 | 29 | 22% |
| 2010 | 26 | 4% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 22 | 7% |
| 2007 | 36 | 16% |
| 2006 | 27 | 16% |
| 2005 | 24 | 25% |
| 2004 | 25 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3
117 complaintsTires
41 complaintsWheels
33 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology