Mazda has issued a massive recall for its MX-5 roadster and retractable fastback models in the United States. The recall affects 77,670 vehicles and is due to a faulty airbag sensor control module that could cause excessive airbag deployment force in a crash.
The automaker discovered the issue during development of the 2024 MX-5 Miata and RF and traced it to a misconfigured calibration tool. After further investigation, Mazda determined that the collision detection sensitivity of the airbag system did not comply with federal safety standards.
The company released new software for the control module in November 2023 to address the problem, but continued testing and simulations until confirming that no further changes were necessary.
The recall includes all 2016-2023 MX-5 models produced for the US market. While Mazda has not received any reports of dual stage airbag deployment in crashes where single stage deployment is preferred, excessive deployment force in minor crashes could increase the risk of neck injury to occupants. The root cause of the issue is incorrect accelerometer voltage specifications in the control module.
It’s important to note that this recall is a serious matter, and affected vehicle owners should schedule a service appointment as soon as possible to have the necessary software update installed. Mazda has not provided a timeline for the recall process, but it is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
In addition to the MX-5, the recall also affects 15,835 units of the Fiat 124 Spider and Abarth 124 Spider, which share the same platform and components with the MX-5. Stellantis, the parent company of Fiat, has issued a recall for these vehicles as well.
The recall is a reminder of the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and safety inspections. By keeping your vehicle up to date with the latest software and safety features, you can help to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. Mazda and Stellantis have issued recalls for their MX-5 and 124 models, respectively.
Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by mail in November, while dealers will be instructed to update the software in the cars’ steering assist systems. The Fiat 124, which was discontinued in 2020 due to low sales, sold fewer than 16,000 units in the US market between 2017 and 2020. Although the MX-5 is not a massive seller either, it has fared better, with nearly 9,000 units sold in 2023.
The MX-5 Miata starts at $28,985 for the 2024 model year, while the discontinued Fiat 124 Spider had a starting price of $25,390 in 2020, which would be equivalent to around $31,260 today. In comparison, the Toyota GR 86 and Subaru BRZ, which share a platform with the MX-5, start at $29,300 and $30,195, respectively.
