NHTSA Complaint #10209096 — 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE

(1) AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE DASHBOARD DURING RETURN TRIP HOME FROM FAMILY GATHERING. (2) TROUBLE CODES IDENTIFIED AT MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED: B1994 DRIVER-SIDE SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CIRCUIT RESISTANCE HIGH B1998 PASSENGER-SIDE SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CIRCUIT RESISTANCE HIGH INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THAT AIRBAGS MAY DEPLOY AT ANY TIME OR MAY NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF A COLLISION. REPAIRS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIRBAG FUNCTION. (3) AS PER TSB 0800205 AND SERVICE KIT 1L84-14293-AA PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN AND AIRBAG LIGHT NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. CHARGE $338.37 PARTS AND LABOR. MAZDA AND IT'S DEALERSHIPS HAVE PROFITED BY REPAIRING, WITH MAZDA CERTIFIED PARTS, A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD ENDANGER THE LIVES AND SAFETY OF MAZDA OWNERS AND THEIR PASSENGERS IF NOT ADDRESSED. THERE IS A TSB AND SERVICE KIT DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THIS INDICATES MAZDA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS PREPARED TO REPAIR IT AT THE COST OF IT'S CUSTOMERS. WHEN BUYING A PRODUCT (A VEHICLE ESPECIALLY) SAFETY IS ASSUMED. WHEN THERE IS A KNOWN SAFETY HAZARD CAUSED BY THE PRODUCT, DUE TO MALFUNCTION OR NEGLIGENCE, IT IS THE MANUFACTURER'S TO CORRECT THE HAZARD. NOT THE CUSTOMER. *TR