The 2004 Mazda B Series has 5 recalls, all involving the front airbags: both the driver and passenger inflators can rupture during deployment, sending metal fragments into the cabin or failing to deploy at all.
The rupturing inflator issue covers both seating positions. When either airbag fires, the inflator can generate more pressure than it can contain, causing it to burst and scatter fragments toward the driver or passenger. In some cases the force of the rupture can also damage the airbag module itself, leaving the bag unable to inflate in a crash. These are the same underlying defect affecting both sides of the vehicle.
There is a fifth recall tied specifically to prior repair attempts on this vehicle. Some B Series trucks that were previously taken to a Mazda dealer to have the passenger airbag inflator replaced may have had the new airbag module installed incorrectly. If that repair was not done properly, the passenger airbag can fail to inflate in a crash, removing a key layer of protection for the front seat passenger. Owners who had the passenger-side inflator replaced under an earlier recall should confirm whether this follow-up recall also applies to their vehicle.
