We had just bought my 1997 Mazda 626 from a family member and had only had it about 3 weeks. My mother in law had used my car and was coming down the drive and hit a pot hole when the air bags deployed hitting her in the face and busting the windshield. She had to be taken to the hospital for injuries sustained due to the airbags deploying. I then went online where I saw that Mazda had a recall on my car model. I called Mazda and they said there was nothing they could do, that I would have to contact my insurance company. Due to this being an older vehicle I have only liabilty insurance. The car continues to set in the same state as the day the airbags deployed, unable to be driven.

- Murphy, NC, USA

Black ice car exited the road, hit a tree, the air bags did not inflate.

- Blue Jay, CA, USA

On Sunday afternoon, October 8, 2006, I was driving locally to visit a friend in a new home. I had just turned off a busy thoroughfare onto a side road when a huge explosion went off in my face. I was traumatized and blinded at first- all I knew was that I couldn't see, and had been hit in the face with a tremendous force--I immediately thought I had been in a collision, but could not figure out where another car could have come from--I was able to stop the car, undo my seat belt and get out of the smokey interior--a woman driving behind me pulled up and helped me to the curb, saying "get away from the car!" since it looked as if it was going to explode! she called the rescue squad, and they inspected my injuries, which were mainly facial bruising and scrapes--asked me if I wanted to be taken to the hospital, and I refused, signing a paper that said that I refused--my friend came down the street after I called her, and brought me a bag of ice to put on my face. I was greatly shaken, and stayed at her home for the afternoon, and then drove slowly the short distance home with the bag taped up -- I was told to not let anyone sit in the passengers seat since that air bag might deploy also at any time! my insurance company said it would not cover the expenses of repairing the airbag.

- Bethesda, MD, USA

While driving 40 mph dual air bags deployed inadvertently and shattered the vehicle windshield.

- Arlington, VA, USA

When getting into the car air bags deployed without cause, causing injuries and damage.

- Alanta, GA, USA

Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision of 45 mph and neither air bag deployed. Dealer and the manufacturer were not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Roosevelt, NY, USA

While driving front air bags deployed without being in an accident, causing minor injuries to driver, and major injuries to front and back passenger.

- Mattapan, MA, USA

While traveling 20-25 mph and without any indication air bags deployed causing injury to consumer. Dealer has been notified.

- Drockton, MA, USA

While traveling at 40-45 mph lost control of vehicle while traveling over gravel, as a result ran into gaurdrail and two street signs. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy at any time. Manufacturer was contacted.

- Herndon, VA, USA

While driving passenger's air bag intermittently deployed.

- Daly City, CA, USA

After air bag deploymentchemical from the air bag causes consumer upper respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, dizziness and rapid heart beat. Seeking help from NHTSA to locate type of chemical used in that air bag. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

Both airbags deployed when consumer went over a bump in road at about 15 mph, windshield cracked when airbags deployed.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

Both passenger and drivers side airbags experienced false deployment emitting noxious fumes from them which made the consumers choke and damages to vehicle. Nlm

- Madison, CT, USA

Both passenger and drivers side airbags experienced false deployment emitting noxious fumes from them which made the consumers choke and damages to vehicle. Nlm

- Madison, CT, USA

Vehicle experienced false deployment of both passenger and driver airbag while driving (no accident or warning). Mjs

- Spartanbur, SC, USA

I was driving home from work at 6 pm. Right front wheel went into a large pothole that I didn't see, causing airbags to deploy, which caused windshield to crack, and the passenger front door to be bent out of alignment by the force of the airbags pushing into the car. The pothole was large enough to bend the aluminum wheel and put a bubble in the sidewall of the tire, and knocked the suspension out of alignment. Dashboard also needs to be replaced. Face received several lacerations about the mouth and nose, and it's too early to say if I've suffered any permanent hearing loss. My biggest problem is that Mazda parts division seems to have a national backorder on this passenger side airbag, meaning I will be car-less for an unspecified amount of time. It has been two weeks so far. This should have been a wheel and tire claim only, and I'm lucky I didn't swerve into oncoming traffic as a result of this.

- Hanover, MA, USA

While driving tire blew out, causing airbag to deploy. Dealer says airbag needs to be replaced.

- Chantilly, VA, USA

On 15 Jan 99, consumer received a manufacturer's recall notice concerning Mazda/air bag deployment / NHTSA recall # 98V-249000. Consumer made an appointment for 20th. Jan 99. On the 16 Jan 99, vehicle hit a pothole at approximately 40 mph which caused the air bags to deploy on both sides. Notified manufacturer, and informed consumer that they are not responsible.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

After hitting a curb at 5 mph, the driver's and passenger's side air bags deployed without reason, cause unknown.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

The left tire went over a curb and only the driver's side airbag deployed. The passenger's airbag did not deploy. Dealer cannot determine problem.

- Westdury, NY, USA