2005 Mazda Mazda3 airbags problems

The 2005 Mazda Mazda3 has 25 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 20% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

Airbags complaints

20%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

Mazda3 airbags complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

21V494000AirbagsJuly 1, 2021 · 260,915 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.

Consequence

Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the air bag module cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between August 28, 2021 and October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4921G.

04V559000AirbagsNovember 22, 2004 · 2 units

Defect

ON TWO PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CRACK IN THE SOLDER CONNECTION ATTACHING THE ACCELERATION SENSOR IN THE SAS UNIT MADE CONTACT WITH THE BASE PLATE, DAMAGING THE SOLDER CONNECTION.

Consequence

THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH AND IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES.

Remedy

DEALERS REPAIRED THESE VEHICLES. THE TWO VEHICLE OWNERS WERE CONTACTED BY TELEPHONE ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004, AND THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.

What owners report

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED AND THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN.…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 17, 2008 · crash

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 2005 Mazda Mazda3 have?

NHTSA has 25 complaints about the 2005 Mazda Mazda3 airbags — 20% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2005 Mazda Mazda3 airbags?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the airbags: 04V559000, 21V494000.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.