Airbag complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owned a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH and attempting to make a turn, another vehicle unexpectedly T-boned the vehicle, impacting the passenger front side. The contact and a passenger sustained minor injuries, and the passenger was taken to a local emergency room. The contact suffered a back injury and was placed on medical leave from employment due to the accident. The passenger sustained bruises and lacerations. The contact stated that the driver and side curtain deployed; however, the front passenger airbag failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for further assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …
Air bags did not deploy in 2008 Mazda Tribute when it crashed into a utility pole. The car has been declared total loss. There are injuries that could have been prevented by deployment. This car was purchased by my father I believe in June and he was driving.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mazda Tribute. When the contact's son exited the vehicle and shut the door, the front driver and passenger air bags, along with the side air bags deployed. The contact and passenger were both injured, but did not receive medical attention. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed to the contact's home. An unknown dealer was contacted and stated that their service department was closed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 105,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, she crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. No one was injured and the vehicle was destroyed. The second vehicle did not sustain any visible damages. The police were notified and a police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 96,000.
Mazda tboned. Passenger side airbags front and side did not go off. Passenger received major injury to body. The lack of the airbag deploying had her head hitting dash board plus flying glass. Vehicle was crossing street. Low motion when other vehicle ran into passenger side. Drivers airbag worked not the 2 on passenger side.
May 9,2006 involved in front end collision when a vehicle pulled out in front of me with approx. 3 feet notice, hit vehicle in drivers side door with the complete front end of my vehicle at 35 MPH. Vehicle damaged to the point of breaking air conditioning compressor. I was wearing my seat belt and jerked forward on impact and air bag states that it deployed but it never deployed. I am now currently seeing physicians and specialist for neurosurgery. My vehicle is still in the repair shop at this time, then it will have to be sent back to the Mazda dealer to find out why the airbag did not deploy and be fixed. At this time it has not been fixed or even determined why it did not deploy. If it did not deploy at 35 MPH crash I am concerned to even drive it again. …
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 212,900.
The driver air bag light on the instrument panel has been illuminated since 2004, repair had been attempted several times but has failed. A bulletin has been sent by the manufacture to the dealership regarding steering wheel airbag light being illuminated giving a false warning, due to defective electrical wiring that cannot be repaired.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda Tribute years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (37), 2003 (35), 2001 (22), 2004 (22) and 2005 (11) model years. Airbag complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Mazda Tribute airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for any Mazda Tribute model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Mazda Tribute airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (23 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (9).
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.