Subject: ** UPDATE** - Takata Inflator Special Service Program (Extended Warranty) Special Service Program SSPB3: In December 2017 Special Service Program SSPB3 - Takata Inflator Extended Warranty was announced. The extended warranty was a result of the Takata airbag inflator class action settlement. Mazda will provide supplemental warranty coverage for all repairs and replacements (including parts and labor) to correct any defects in the materials or workmanship of Takata airbag inflators and the replacement inflators installed pursuant to the Takata airbag recalls. The program covers defects in the Inflator only and does not cover other items in the airbag system. Additionally, the program
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Mazda RX-8 airbags problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 16 airbags complaints filed for the 2007 Mazda RX-8, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 42% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This information is provided to help address Passenger Airbag Deactivation (PAD) Indicator illumination concerns during vehicle service.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This information is provided to help address Passenger Airbag Deactivation (PAD) Indicator illumination concerns during vehicle service.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The Workshop Manual has two-different airbag procedures, one for Standard Deployment and one for Two-Step Deployment. Standard Deployment is for Mexico spec vehicles and Two-Step Deployment is for US and Canadian spec vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗STOPPER PLATES FOR AIR BAG MODULE CONNECTORS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED AS NEW SERVICE PARTS. When removing the connector (1) to the air bag module (2), make sure to first lift the stopper plate (3) carefully using a flathead screwdriver (but do not remove it), and then pull out the connector.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Sixteen complaints center on passenger-side dashboard damage and airbag function on 2007 RX-8s. The most frequent complaint involves plastic dashboard cracking and splitting along the seams of the passenger-side airbag cover—cracks that form in a distinct shape matching the airbag outline. Owners report these cracks appearing as early as 9,000 miles and at mileage up to 100,000, regardless of whether the vehicle was garaged or sun-exposed. The cracks expose the airbag to light and moisture and create jagged edges that weaken dashboard structure.
Owners universally state dealers refuse repair, calling it cosmetic and outside warranty. Multiple NHTSA recall campaigns (14V344000, 15V345000, 15V382000, 16V354000) were issued for airbags on this model, but owners report parts were unavailable for months or indefinitely—one owner noted parts still unavailable in August 2016.
One complaint describes a side-impact collision where the airbag did not deploy on impact, then deployed unexpectedly while the wrecked vehicle was being driven at a body shop. Another complaint mentions a sticky dashboard cover at 9,023 miles. Owners express genuine safety concerns about unintended deployment or airbag malfunction given the structural compromise.
Same Mazda RX-8 airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger-side dashboard cracking over airbag seams
Plastic dashboard cover cracks and splits along the perforated seam lines of the passenger-side airbag, forming a distinct shape that mirrors the airbag outline. Cracks expose the airbag to light and moisture, weaken the dashboard structure, and create jagged edges. Owners report this occurs regardless of sun exposure in garaged vehicles.
When: Ranges from 9,000 to 100,000 miles; one owner reported onset during summer 2015; another on new 2007 purchase from dealership
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard cracks following airbag seam perforations; Split or fractured dashboard cover over passenger airbag; Exposed airbag visible through cracks; Jagged edges on cracked dashboard; Sticky dashboard cover (one report at 9,023 miles)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers initially categorized as cosmetic and refused repair. Parts were unavailable for NHTSA recall repairs under campaigns 15V382000, 15V345000, 16V354000, and 14V344000. One owner noted recall parts remained unavailable as of August 2016.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaigns 14V344000, 15V345000, 15V382000, and 16V354000 all relate to airbags. Manufacturer stated VINs were included in recalls but parts were not available within reasonable timeframes. Dealers refused repair, citing it as cosmetic and not covered by warranty.
Non-deployment or delayed airbag deployment in collision
Airbag failed to deploy during a side-impact collision. Airbag subsequently deployed unexpectedly while the vehicle was being driven at a body shop after the accident, not during the actual impact event.
When: During side-impact collision; unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag did not deploy during side-impact collision; Airbag deployed after-the-fact while vehicle was being driven at body shop; Safety risk from failure to deploy at time of impact
Unintended airbag deployment risk from compromised seals
Owner concerned that cracked seams in the passenger-side airbag area could allow the airbag to deploy without warning or cause fragments to dislodge upon deployment in a collision due to weakened structural integrity.
When: Unknown; concerns raised proactively by owners observing dashboard damage
Symptoms owners cite: Fear of unintended deployment; Concern airbag fragments would dislodge if deployed with compromised seals; Concern airbag will not function correctly in collision
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
The passenger side dashboard area is all cracked up ad split open. There is no reason for it to be cracked or split. The cracking following the shape of the airbag that is underneath the dashboard. It has very jagged edges and exposes the airbag to excess light and moisture by being split open in so many places. The dashboard structure is now weakened due to all of the cracks. An explosion from…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Mazda rx-8. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag seams were fractured and the air bag was exposed in the dashboard. As a result, the contact was concerned that the air bag would inadvertently deploy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Mazda rx-8. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v344000 (air bags)however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Front driver airbag did not deploy. *tr
On my 2007 rx8 right dashboard passenger airbag has cracked and had made the shape of the airbag. Looks like the airbag can deploy at any given moment and can cause serious injury to driver and passenger. The dealership or manufacture will not take responsibility in fixing or correcting the problem. There are hundreds of complaints about this problem and I don't understand why a recall has not…
Takata recall. Due to constant floridian sun exposure, there is a fuel leak from my car. The car was stationary when I first noticed the leak, parked in a mall parking lot. Also, the airbag is faulty and defective.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Mazda rx-8. The contact stated that the dashboard over the passenger side air bag was fractured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that it was a standing issue; however, it could not be repaired per a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number:…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Mazda rx-8. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15v345000 (air bags) and 15v382000 (air bags). The part was not available within a reasonable timeframe to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer was contacted and could not provide an estimated date for when…
Passenger side dash where the airbag would come through upon inflation has cracked over time. I feel that this may be a safety issue if the airbag were to inflate in an accident, that the compromised seals will cause fragments to dislodge and hit ocupants. I've contacted the local dealership as well as mazdausa and was told it's not a problem and the part couldn't be replaced under warranty.…
Had airbags trouble with your 2007 Mazda RX-8?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2007 Mazda RX-8?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 63,000 and 96,300 miles, with the median around 72,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 63,000; a quarter make it past 96,300. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Mazda/RX-8.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.