A customer may complain of a rattle noise from the right side of the dash. The noise may be coming from the passenger side airbag.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Mazda Mazda3 airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Mazda3 | 5 |
| 2021 Mazda3 (this page) | 4 |
| 2022 Mazda3 | 11 |
1crash
1injury
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 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.
A customer may complain of a rattle noise from the right side of the dash. The noise may be coming from the passenger side airbag.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some vehicles may exhibit that the air bag warning light turns on or repeats cycles of turning on and off with DTC B1126:13 and/or B1127:13 stored in memory. B1126:13 - Driver-side side air bag module circuit open circuit or resistance high B1127:13 - Passenger-side side air bag module circuit open circuit or resistance high This issue is caused by any of the following: When the driver or passenger moves, a load is applied to the seat back and the load may cause displacement of the mating terminals in the side air bag module connector, resulting in insufficient contact and higher resistance. The DTC detection level is too sensitive. The form of the female terminals in the side air bag module
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some vehicles may exhibit that the air bag warning light turns on or repeats cycles of turning on and off with DTC B1126:13 and/or B1127:13 stored in memory.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 08-001 /22 - AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON WITH OTC B1126: 13 OR B1127:13) has been released to repair 2019-2022 Mazda3 with OTC B1126:13/B1127:13. Follow the TSB to repair the vehicle before replacing the airbag module. MC is working on a separate TSB for 2020-2022 CX-30.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Instrument panel display shows a warrning message: Air Bag System Malfunction. Have the Vehicle inspected.
Air bag malfunction light comes on a and goes off multiple times while driving
Had airbags trouble with your 2021 Mazda Mazda3?
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 2021 Mazda Mazda3?
It's a meaningful issue. 4 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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/2021/Mazda/Mazda3.
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.