NHTSA Complaint #11555114 — 1994 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA

In 2010, the air bag control module went out on my vehicle. There were no replacement units available, and I was forced to disconnect the system to prevent the dangerous possibility of a malfunction. I also had to build a dummy unit to turn the air bag status light on and off on the dashboard so that the vehicle would pass inspection. Several years later, I was able to buy what might have been the last new-old-stock control module in North America, and I was able to restore the functionality of the airbag system. However, even this module is old, and I do not know how long it will last. Manufacturers should be required to stock replacement parts for critical safety equipment for as long as their vehicles are on the road. Failing that, there should be some sort of exemption from state requirements that such safety equipment pass inspection if it is unserviceable (although this would be an inferior solution).