NHTSA Complaint #10136420 — 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE

THERE IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN MY MAZDA, TRIBUTE CAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED AT 23854 MILES. THE MAZDA DEALER LOOKED INTO IT AND STATED ON ITS REPORT "CHECKED AND FOUND WIRE HARNESS GOING TO SEAT BELT PRETENSIONS BUCKLE BROKEN-WIRE YELLOW AND RED STRIPE LOCATED AT H15". THE PROBLEM WAS RECTIFIED AT THE TIME. HOWEVER, THE CAR NOW REACHED 38,000 MILES AND THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN. MY CAR IS OUT OF MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY NOW AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE, THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND MUST BE FIXED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE MANUFACTURER. ESPECIALLY, WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED DURING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE. AS YOU AWARE, A MALFUNCTION OF AIRBAG SYSTEM CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH IN CASE OF A COLLISION. AS PER MY LOCAL FORMER MAZDA DEALER, MAZDA KNOWS ABOUT EXISTENCE OF THIS AIRBAG ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN IGNORED AND NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN INDICATED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB