The 1996 Mazda 626 has 49 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.
49
Airbags complaints
12%
Share of year
26
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SAS SENSOR UNIT. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN MINOR UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
Consequence
UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SAS UNIT TO REDUCE THE PROBABILITY OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS IN LOW SPEED UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
“CONSUMER FRIEND WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 35 MPH SUDDENLY ANOTHER VEHICLE JUMPED OUT, IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING THIS VEHICLE, CONSUMER HIT PARKED CAR HEAD-ON. BOTH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DUE TO THIS DEFECT, DRIVER SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE HEAD INJURIES, HIT STEERING WHEEL . SEAT BELT WAS ALSO WORN AT THE…”
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the 1996 Mazda 626 airbags — 12% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the airbags: 98V249000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.