Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Mazda 626 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving at 30 MPH, hit a pothole, driver and passenger airbags violently deployed shattering windshield and drivers eye glasses,and then caused the car to hit the sidewalk exploding 2 tires and injuring the drivers face. Even thought the car was under recall, the manufacturer initially accepted responsibility but later directed the victim to file an insurance claim.
Transmission has gone out and needs replacement at barely over 50,000 miles.this could pose a serious safety risk, considering that it could go out on the freeway or anywhere while the vehicle is in motion.there are many people who have this same problem and same complaint,Mazda knows there is a defect, and they refuse to fix the defect, opting to wait until the customer is out of warranty and making them absorb a portion of the charges.also,I have had 2 accidents in my car one where I was rear ended while in a stopped position and neither airbag was deployed.
1995 Mazda 6, concerned that the air bag explosions does not include cars manufactured before the year 2000...updated 02/12/15 the consumer stated her son was driving, when suddenly the air bags spontaneously exploded, filling the front of the car with smoke and flying shrapnel in addition to the deflated material from the air bag itself. Her son's hand was burned. The consumer stated the air bag explosion was not the result of an accident of any kind, not even a pot hole or rough road.
Both air bags inadvertently deployed on their own while driving. The driver pulled over. The consumer sustained injuries, and went to the hospital on her own. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, and mechanic determined that the problem could not be duplicated. The consumer's daughter was the driver. The air bag sensor caused the air bag to deploy without warning. The consumer request reimbursement of the expenses incurred as a result of this problem.
The consumer stated while traveling and without any indication, the vehicle hit a curve and the front air bags deployed. When the air bags deployed, they destroyed the steering wheel, passenger dashboard, passenger sun visor, and the windshield. The vehicle was recalled for the air bag sensor. The consumer felt he shouldn't be responsible for the repair(s).
While driving 30 MPH, vehicle had a direct frontal impact. Vehicle was a total loss and driver's and passenger's side airbags did not deploy which did not protect occupant in this crash. Also, driver?s shoulder belt did not restrain driver properly.driver hit the rearview mirror and sustained major injuries.
While daugther was driving about 40 MPH another vehicle cut in front, and she could not stop on time, stricking other vehicle on the side. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy, causing injuries to driver. Dealer and manufacturer were contacted. Please provide more information.
Ea97012, while driving the 10-15 MPH the vehcle went over a small dip driver's and passenger's airbags deployed with no direct frontal impact, resulting injuries. Dealer claimed that it was undericarrage impact with caused the deployment.
During front end collision the air bag failed to deploy causing neck and back injuries to the driver, consumer took the vehicle to be repaired per recall notice 98v-249 and would only repair for a fee, air bag still needs repair. Nlm
Was driving onto an exit ramp & slowing down for a red light when the air bags deployed. Driver's air bag ignited & the vehicle caught on fire & was totaled. Had received the recall notice 19 jan 1999, regarding air bag fires.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the sas sensor unit. These vehicles can experience air bag deployments in minor undercarriage impacts.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the sas unit to reduce the probability of unnecessary deployments in low speed undercarriage impacts.
NHTSA investigations
Inappropriate air bag deployment
In January of 1997, odi opened a pe based on 9 odi complaints.odi is now aware of 51 complaints of alleged inappropriate air bag deployments.typical complaints include air bag deployments after the vehicle hit a pot hole while driving between 20 and 45 MPH and air bag deployments while driving at speeds between 20 and 60 MPH for no apparent reason.approximately 21 drivers alleged that they did not hit anything prior…
Oversensitive air bag deployment
In May of 1997, odi upgraded to an engineering analysis with 51 complaints.odi is now aware of 88 complaints of alleged inappropriate airbag deployments.typical complaints allege that the airbags deployed after the vehicle hit a pot hole at between 20 and 45 MPH, or that the airbags deployed while driving at between 20 or 60 MPH for no apparent reason.approximately 25 drivers alleged that they did not hit anything…
Airbag complaints in other 626 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1995 Mazda 626?
NHTSA has 67 complaints about the air bags of the 1995 Mazda 626, 14% of the model year's 488 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (53 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Mazda 626 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-249 (sensor/control module-inactive, Oct 8, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Mazda 626 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 123,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 35 crashes, 2 fires and 35 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.