Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
22
Latest Aug 15, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
14%
of 157 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
8
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
8
What this page shows
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Mazda Tribute submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 22 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming airbag
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Aug 15, 2024
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.
NHTSA ID
11608821
Incident
May 15, 2004
Airbags
Filed Mar 2, 2023
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.
NHTSA ID
11509822
Incident
Feb 27, 2023
Mileage
212,900 mi
Airbags
Filed May 27, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA ZH98 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DRIVER'S RESIDENCE. THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ID
10871268
Incident
Jul 12, 2011
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Jul 12, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported
I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO STOP BEHIND ANOTHER CAR AT A RED LIGHT AND MY CAR SLOWED DOWN BUT DID NOT FULLY STOP. I BARELY BUMPED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT PROBABLY LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR BUT MY AIR BAGS WENT OFF. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO MY CAR OTHER THAN THE AIR BAGS EXPLODING AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY WANTS TO TOTAL MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAGS EXPLODING. I HAVE SECOND DEGREE BURNS AND A CUT FROM THE AIR BAG.
NHTSA ID
10733502
Incident
Jul 8, 2015
Mileage
142,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 19, 2015
Crash reported1 death reported
SIDE IMPACT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, AND THE SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE STEERING WHEEL CRACKED, YOU CAN SEE THE AIR BAG BUT IT DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER....UPDATED 05-27-15 *BF THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS KILLED. UPDATED 07/07/15
NHTSA ID
10717402
Incident
Apr 12, 2015
Airbags
Filed Jan 5, 2015
ON JULY 15 I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. IT RANDOMLY FLASHES AND SOMETIMES STAYS ON FOR 2 TO 3 DAYS. IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED DUE TO THE COST OF REPAIRING IT. IF THE AIR BAG EXPLODES WHILE I AM DRIVING THIS COULD BE FATAL TO MYSELF, MY 1 YEAR OLD SON AND MY 12 YEAR OLD SON. EVERY MAZDA SUV / TRUCK FROM 2004 HAS A RECALL EXCEPT MINE. THE RECALL NEEDS TO EXTEND TO THE TRIBUTE BECAUSE THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT'S NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10670339
Incident
Jul 15, 2014
Mileage
129,075 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 13, 2014
CONCERNING TAKATA/MAZDA AIRBAG RECALL, I PURCHASED MY USED 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE DX FROM SANTA FE (NM) MAZDA VOLVO DEALER OCTOBER 2006. THEN I SHIPPED IT VIA CROWLEY SHIPPING TO MY PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN ST. JOHN, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS...WHERE IT HAS BEEN CONTINUALLY IN USE FROM 2007-TO PRESENT. ST. JOHN, US VIRGIN ISLANDS IS A HIGH HUMIDITY AREA . YOUR ONLINE RECALL QUALIFYING AREA MENTIONS JUST PUERTO RICO, SO BEFORE I AM DIVERTED OR PUT OFF BY MAZDA, I WISH TO KNOW IF I ACTUALLY QUALIFY. ON TOP OF THIS, AT TIME OF PURCHASE IT WAS NOT POINTED OUT TO ME THAT THE USED CAR WAS AN OFFICIAL "LEMON LAW BUYBACK. I DID NOT SEE THE PLAQUE AFFIXED TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR UNTIL AFTER IT WAS SHIPPED HERE AND I WAS WASHING TOP TO BOTTOM TO GET SHIPPING SEA SALT OFF. I AM 70 AND LIVE ALONE, NEVER EVEN OCCURRED TO ME TO THINK OF SUCH A THING. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THE MAJOR PARTS OF THE CAR OVER THE LAST 7 YEARS, SO NOW I AM REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THE AIR BAG. *TR
NHTSA ID
10664047
Incident
Dec 13, 2014
Airbags
Filed Oct 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ID
10645029
Incident
Jan 1, 2014
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 15, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE'S BUMPER. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIP LASH, BACK, AND WRIST INJURIES FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE NOT HAVE DEPLOYED AT SUCH LOW SPEED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ID
10535543
Incident
Aug 2, 2013
Mileage
120,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 18, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND WOULD CONTINUE ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. ...UPDATED 10/10/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE MAZDA PAID HALF OF THE REPAIR COST OF THE AIR BAG CONNECTOR. UPDATED 10/16/12
NHTSA ID
10475873
Incident
Jul 15, 2010
Mileage
55,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 26, 2010
AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND NOW REMAINS ON. THE 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE HAS BEEN IN A NORMAL MANNER AND ONLY HAS 61,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ID
10372407
Incident
Dec 20, 2010
Mileage
61,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 24, 2009
FRONT AIR BAG SENSOR KEEPS GOING OFF FACTORY WONT CLAIM DEFECT PARTS PAYING COSTLY OUT OF POCKET REPAIRS STILL UNDER WARRANTY "JUST NOT THOSE PARTS". *TR
NHTSA ID
10278239
Incident
Jul 21, 2009
Mileage
75,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 16, 2008
2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY IN PARK WHEN SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO IMPACT. DEALER AND MAZDA TOLD ME IT IS MY INSURANCE COMPANIES RESPONSIBILITY TO INVESTIGATE. AFTER SEEING THE OTHER ISSUES THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR
NHTSA ID
10245721
Incident
Sep 27, 2008
Mileage
98,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 7, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED A FAILURE WITH THE SYSTEM. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER ON SIX OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED A WIRING HARNESS, THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED A SEAT MODULE, THE THIRD TIME THEY HAD TO REINSTALL THE HARNESS BECAUSE THEY CONNECTED IT IMPROPERLY, THE FOURTH TIME, THEY REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SENSOR, THE FIFTH TIME THEY REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR, AND MOST RECENTLY, THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUES. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING ELSE COULD BE DONE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
NHTSA ID
10226949
Incident
Apr 3, 2007
Mileage
72,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 4, 2008
MY CAR IS NOT EVEN 4 YEARS OLD YET AND THE AIRBAGS DO NOT WORK. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP SAID I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THAT, HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT FIX IT UNLESS THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS MATTER. AIRBAGS ARE SUPPOSE TO BE SAFE AND THEY ARE REQUIRED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10223345
Incident
Mar 1, 2008
Mileage
70,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 23, 2008
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. DEALER DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT CODE B1877 AND B1994 NEED 2 HARNESSES FOR SIDE AIR BAGS AND 2 HARNESSES FOR PRETENSIONER. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT. WELL MAINTAINED IAW MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATIONS. IF THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM PERHAPS THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR $900. *TR
NHTSA ID
10218937
Incident
Feb 18, 2008
Mileage
60,400 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 30, 2007
I HAVE HAD AIR BAG HARNESS REPLACED THREE TIMES NOW AND ACCORDING TO MAZDA IT HAS NOW CAUSED MY AIR BAG MODULE TO SHORT OUT. THIS WOULD SEEM TO BE A SAFETY RECALL WHICH MAZDA DOES NOT WANT TO OWN UP TO. I AM CONCERNED FOR SAFETY OF PASSENGER IN CAR AND COST FOR REPLACEMENT IS BECOMING ABSORBENT AND ANY INVESTIGATION INTO THIS SAFETY CONCERN WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10204493
Incident
Sep 28, 2007
Mileage
80,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 30, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY REFERRED HER TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK
NHTSA ID
10144013
Incident
Nov 29, 2005
Airbags
Filed Aug 30, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported
DT: 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONSUMER STATED ON AUGUST 27, 2005 WAS HIT BY A DRUNKEN DRIVER. DRIVER'S SIDE WAS TOTALED, AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WAS CUT BY THE WINDOW GLASS, HE REQUIRED A FEW STITCHES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP AND VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO SEE WHY THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CALLED MAZDA, AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD DOCUMENT IT, BUT IT WAS UP TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO INVESTIGATE THE ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ID
10134714
Incident
Aug 27, 2005
Airbags
Filed Aug 12, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLL OVER. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK THE FRONT DOORS WERE IMPACTED YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM
NHTSA ID
10087854
Incident
Aug 7, 2004
Mileage
8,100 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed May 1, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported
I WAS SITTING A STOP LIGHT. I WAS REAR ENDED BY A CAR AT 40 MPH. THE IMPACT PUSHED ME INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT SEATBELT BUCKLE SHATTERED INTO 6 PIECES. I CONTACTED MAZDA, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED. HTTP://WWW.KODAKGALLERY.COM/PHOTOVIEW.JSP?&COLLID=90010007906&PHOTOID=53811007906. *AK
NHTSA ID
10118779
Incident
Apr 14, 2005
Mileage
13,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 9, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported
DURING A FRONTAL COLLISION FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
NHTSA ID
10057721
Incident
Jan 30, 2004
Mileage
801 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own