The 2004 Mazda6 has 12 recalls, the most serious being a well-documented airbag inflator defect affecting both the driver and passenger frontal airbags, where the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin.
Both front airbag positions are affected: the inflators can build excessive internal pressure during deployment, and in some cases prior replacement inflators of the same design were installed under earlier repair attempts, meaning the hazard may persist even on vehicles that were previously serviced. On the restraint side, rear seatbelts on some vehicles were assembled with missing or incorrect retaining components in the retractor, which can prevent the belt from locking in a crash. On the brake side, a float inside the brake fluid reservoir can become dislodged and fail to return to its track, leaving the low-fluid warning light unable to alert the driver to a drop in brake fluid level. There is also a fuel system concern where the fuel sender unit may not be properly sealed in the tank, allowing a small amount of fuel to seep out and produce an odor or trigger a check engine light.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator with a new one at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger airbag inflator can build up too much pressure when deploying, potentially rupturing and scattering fragments at occupants, or breaking the airbag module so it won't deploy properly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag inflator may rupture due to moisture entering the unit and manufacturing inconsistencies that accumulate over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag inflator with an alternate inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front airbag inflator can build up too much pressure when inflating. This may cause it to rupture and send fragments at occupants, or damage the airbag module and prevent full deployment in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger airbag inflator with a corrected part.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front airbag inflator may build up too much pressure when deploying. This could cause it to rupture and send fragments toward passengers, or damage the airbag module and prevent it from deploying properly in a crash.
What the fix does
Your dealer will replace the airbag module with a corrected one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front airbag inflator may build up excessive pressure during deployment, causing it to rupture and send fragments toward occupants or damage the airbag module, preventing proper inflation in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger airbag inflator with a new one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger airbag inflator may build up excessive pressure during deployment, potentially rupturing and sending fragments toward occupants, or preventing the airbag from deploying fully in a crash.
What the fix does
The dealer will inspect the passenger airbag inflator and replace it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear seat belt retractor locking mechanism may have been assembled incorrectly, preventing the rear seat belts from locking during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear seat belt retractor assemblies with corrected versions.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right and/or left rear seat belts may fail to lock properly because retaining pins are missing from the housing.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear seat belts and replace any defective retractors.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel sender unit may not be properly sealed in the fuel tank. This can allow small amounts of fuel to leak out, causing a fuel odor and/or a check engine light.
What the fix does
Your dealer will repair the fuel sender unit installation to restore a proper seal.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The float inside the brake fluid level sensor can come off its guide rail when the master cylinder is filled. If this happens, the float may not return to the rail, and the brake fluid warning light may not work.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair the brake fluid level sensor to restore proper operation of the warning indicator.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
