VehicleVerdict

2008 Mazda B-Series Truck problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2008 Mazda B-Series Truck — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other B-Series Truck years?

See all B-Series Truck years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Mazda B-Series Truck problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags982%
Speed Control19%
Steering19%

Does the 2008 Mazda B-Series Truck have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V162000AirbagsMarch 10, 2021 · 5,847 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2009 B-Series pickup trucks. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk with an interim letter mailed April 26, 2021. A second letter was sent December 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4821C.

17V013000AirbagsJanuary 10, 2017 · 725 units

Defect

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2009 B-Series trucks sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2007-2008 B-Series trucks sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0817A.

16V499000AirbagsJuly 1, 2016 · 5,038 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 B-Series trucks manufactured June 6, 2006, to January 22, 2009, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 B-Series trucks manufactured February 21, 2006, to April 28, 2008, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in this safety recall. 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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda notified owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9616F.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TRUCK INVOLVED IN AUTO ACCIDENT INVOLVING A SUV RUNNING A RED LIGHT AT HIGH SPPED. TO AVOID BEING BROADSIDED DAUGHTER BRAKED HARD TO STOPPED BUT STILL HIT THE SUV REAR BUMPER AS HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THRU THE RED LIGHT.. DAUGHTER EXPECTED AIRBAGS TO DEPLOYED AND SHIELDED HER FACE. NO AIRBAGS. THIS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 17, 2020 · crash

THROTTLE STICKS AT ALL TIMES, TAKES UP TO 30 SECONDS TO RETURN TO IDLE. NO ENGINE BRAKING, YOU HAVE TO RIDE THE BRAKES AT TIMES TO COMPENSATE FOR STICKING THROTTLE. DEALER IS CLAIMING THEY ALL DO IT. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 5, 2008

WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK AT APPROX 60 MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD, THE STEERING LOCKED, UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL OR CONTROL THE TRUCK, IT VEERED TO THE LEFT, CROSSED OVER ONCOMING LANE, SLOWED THE TRUCK AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND VEERED OFF THE ROAD, CRASHED THE TRUCK, TOTAL LOSS. WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 4, 2014 · crash

2008 Mazda B-Series Truck — common questions

Is the 2008 Mazda B-Series Truck reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2008 B-Series Truck problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (9 complaints), steering (1 complaints), speed control (1 complaints).

Does the 2008 Mazda B-Series Truck have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Mazda B-Series Truck. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mazda B-Series Truck years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the B-Series Truck years to avoid are 1994, 1999, 1998, 2000, 1996, 1997, 2001, 1995, 2004, 2005. The cleanest record among B-Series Truck years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.