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 2010 Mazda Mazda6 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Passenger side dash started melting about a year ago and has gotten so bad the dash is almost liquid. Sunlight reflects off the shiny melted dash and blinds the driver. I was in an accident because I couldn't see due to light reflecting off melted dash. Dash is so sticky that you cannot touch or it will stick to hands/ clothing. I have ruined multiple items of clothing due to this mess.
The dashboard on the passenger side is made of a material that melts during hot sunny periods and takes on a reflective surface which acts like a mirror. When sunlight hits the surface not only is the sun reflected off the surface of the dashboard but it's also projected onto the windshield instantly blinding the driver of the right half of the entire windshield, turning the whole side of the windshield into yet another mirror bouncing direct sunlight into the eyes of the driver instantly blinding them. Visibility is substantially reduced and it becomes extremely difficult to see other motorists on the road. Also this melted dashboard is the surface of the passenger front airbag. Being that it's defective and melted one would be LED to believe that the deployment of the airbag would also be effected or defective. …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mazda 6. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 18V717000 (air bags) and 18V631000 (suspension, structure). The contact called sentry west Mazda at [phone] (located at 940 boston turnpike, shrewsbury, ma 01545) and was informed that the parts were not available. While driving approximately 20 MPH, a loud noise was heard and the steering lost power without warning. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer where it was stated that the recall repairs needed to be performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. Parts distribution disconnect for NHTSA campaign number: 18V717000 (air bags) and VIN tool confirms parts not available for NHTSA campaign number: 18V631000 (suspension, structure).
Takata recall there have been 3 recalls with this vehicle I bought new; Takata is 1 of the 3: 1. Takata airbags: metal shrapnel in airbags when deployed, reportedly 2. Door lock screws are unsafe; need to be checked/replaced; 3. Dashboard has been recalled due to turning into a sticky nasty looking mess. The whole right side (passenger side) has become so sticky that dust, cloth, everything sticks to it, and it cannot be cleaned. What's really awful is that the dealership where I bought the car now no longer sells mazdas. The first 2 situations are dangerous; & the 3rd is horribly unsightly. Mazda has sent out recalls for all 3. Where do I take this car?
Headlight on both sides go out often. After having this issue far too many times, I looked online hoping to find a solution and discovered multiple Mazda owners are having same problem. Its a malfunction in the Mazda that needs to be fixed by Mazda. This is extremely dangerous at night to have happening way to often. As for the air bag- ive had my Mazda to a Mazda dealership for the recalls and the air bag was kne of them. Since then, twice now, the 'airbag/front seat belt pretensioner system malfunction' light is flashing while driving. I looked it up, and by the sounds of it, my airbag is malfunctioning?! Another dangerous situation on the Mazda 6.
Noticed the dashboard on the passenger was starting to get shiny. I checked and found the shiny area. I check to clean it and found it sticky. As I tried to clean it it began to separate as if it was tar. I am concerned about the safety of the passenger in regards to the airbag is under this dash and for the driver being blinded by the reflection of the melting dashboard as it is shiny. I checked with Mazda and the said they were not responsible for it and would not cover any cost to fix it. My vehicle is a 2010 Mazda 6. I feel the Mazda should cover this because they sold a car with defective materials that can compromise the safety of the vehicle.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mazda 6. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the front air bag warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V356000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Mazda 6. The contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a front end collision. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to clyde lynn collision center; however, it had not yet been determined if it was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V594000 (air bags) as a possible cause of the failure. The parts were not available for the repair. The failure mileage was not provided.
I went to check on safercar.gov since I received a letter saying Mazda would be replacing the dash due to glare condition potential (2015) to find updated status and also for air bag. The air bag issue is still incomplete for over 7 months. By VIN look-up, I find two additional recalls for door latch and fuel tank in which I was unaware. Date on this complaint reflects first contact from Mazda. Also, 4 interior items broken, including a cracked rear-view mirror.
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Mazda 6. While making a turn, the vehicle was t-boned by another vehicle on the passenger side. The air bags deployed after the crash occurred. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and nose, which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a towing facility. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2013 Mazda6 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2018.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge.
Show 1 more recall
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured February 4, 2008, to December 3, 2009. The protective coating may not have been properly applied to the air bag control unit (ACU) and, as a result, moisture may damage the unit causing it to malfunction.
Remedy: Mazda dealers will replace the ACU, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500.
Airbag complaints in other Mazda6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2010 Mazda Mazda6?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 Mazda Mazda6, 24% of the model year's 225 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Mazda Mazda6 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-782 (inflator module, Oct 31, 2019); NHTSA recall 18V-717 (inflator module, Oct 12, 2018); NHTSA recall 18V-018 (inflator module, Jan 9, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Mazda Mazda6 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.