Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Mazda has announced a global recall of its models affected by defective airbags built by Takata.
This recall follows investigative recalls by Mazda in Japan and North America for three different types of Takata manufactured inflators and although no cases of abnormal deployment or dangerous flaws have been found in any Mazda vehicles in the course of the investigative recall; the concern had deemed an extended formal recall campaign necessary.
Vehicles affected
To date it has been recorded that an estimated 8000 units are affected in South Africa. Affected units are Mazda6 and RX-8 vehicles produced from 2003 to 2007 with VIN numbers starting with JM6GG or JMZSE.
According to Mazda: "These include Mazda6 and Mazda RX-8 vehicles equipped with the 'PSDI-4' driver-side air bag inflator, the 'SDI-160' driver side air-bag inflator, or the 'SPI' passenger-side air -ag inflator."
Why are Mazda vehicles being recalled in SA?
According to Mazda SA: "The recall is due to an inappropriate production condition and storage of the propellant in the inflator. The density of the propellant may be insufficient on the inflator for the passenger-side airbag.
"This might cause the propellant to ignite abnormally at the time of airbag deployment and potentially result in extremely high inner pressure of the inflator causing a rupture of the inflator case. In a case of a rupture, the airbag might not deploy as designed and may lead to passenger injury."
Replacement airbags required
Mazda SA says it will conduct a repair procedures to replace the driver-side air bag and passenger-side air-bag inflator with an improved unit for affected vehicles.
According to to Mazda SA: "Although the number of affected vehicles will be subject to further review and may change, Mazda SA urges all owners with possibly affected Mazda6 and Mazda RX-8 vehicles to contact the Mazda SA Dealer Network or the Mazda SA Customer Care Centre on 0860 069 700 or email customercare@mazda.co.za.
Other SA manufacturers affected
Mitsubishi is not the only automaker in South Africa affected by Takata's defective air bags. In May 2015, Wheels24 reported that Toyota South Africa said it would replace air-bag inflators in its Corolla, RunX and Yaris models (built from 2002 to 2007) and in its Rav4, Hilux and Fortuners (from July 2003 to December 2005). Nissan SA confirmed that certain previous generation Almeras could be affected. The automaker said: "Previous generation Nissan Almeras, manufactured in Rosslyn, from 2004 to 2007 are potentially affected." In June 2015, as a precautionary measure, Honda South Africa said it will recall "a small number of 2001-03 model years CR-V, Accord, Civic and Jazz units".
More about Takata recalls
In one of the most complex consumer recalls in history, about 19.2 million vehicles containing 23.4 million air-bag inflators have been recalled across the world, affecting 11 different automakers.
The inflators, which have been linked to at least eight deaths, can explode with too much force and spray metal shrapnel into vehicle compartments.
