# Mazda CX-5 airbag warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 19 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (10) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 19 owner complaints about the airbag warning light on the Mazda CX-5 (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (10). There is **1 recall** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: The car is mechanically safe to drive, but the airbags may not deploy in a crash, so get it diagnosed soon rather than ignoring it. ## Mazda CX-5 airbag warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the airbag light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2016 | 10 | 512 | 2% | | 2017 | 3 | 150 | 2% | | 2019 | 3 | 273 | 1% | | 2020 | 3 | 110 | 3% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Mazda CX-5 recalls related to the airbag warning light **[18V426000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V426000)** (2018 models, reported 2018-06-25): If the air bags do not deploy properly in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2018. Recall repairs are free at any Mazda dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Mazda CX-5 owners report - "Air bag light is flashing in the dashboard. It says passenger air bag off. Driver seatbelt doesn't always click when trying to fastent seatbelt. I have to try multiple times until it clicks." -- owner of a 2020 Mazda CX-5, complaint filed 2026 - "My air bag light warning light is constantly blinking and I took it to the dealer ship. I informed the service guy this could be a malfunction due to a recall. He only asked me to pay for an diagnostic for $175.00. I think based on a history dated from 2004-2018 regarding Air bags recalls this is a recall. I..." -- owner of a 2019 Mazda CX-5, complaint filed 2023 - "Last week, the airbag warning light illuminated on my dashboard. Please be aware that this marks the fourth occurrence of this issue. Each time I bring the vehicle to the dealership, they provide a different explanation, and I am required to cover the repair costs. I have been informed that the vehicles were..." -- owner of a 2017 Mazda CX-5, complaint filed 2026 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the airbag warning light means The airbag or SRS light means the airbag computer found a fault and may have turned off some or all airbags. The car drives normally, but you may not have airbag protection in a crash. Common causes include a loose connector under a seat, a worn clock spring in the steering wheel, and a seat belt buckle sensor. Have it diagnosed soon and check for open airbag recalls. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Loose or damaged connector under a seat** (common) 2. **Worn clock spring in the steering wheel** (common) 3. **Passenger occupant sensor fault** (less common) 4. **Seat belt buckle or pretensioner fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Airbag (SRS) warning light](/warning-lights/airbag). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Mazda CX-5 airbag light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (18V426000) covering 2018 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Mazda CX-5 years have the most airbag light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2017 and 2019 CX-5 model years have the most complaints mentioning the airbag warning light, with 10 for 2016. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Mazda CX-5 with the airbag light on? Drive to a shop this week. The car is mechanically safe to drive, but the airbags may not deploy in a crash, so get it diagnosed soon rather than ignoring it. Do not try to repair airbag parts yourself, because an accidental deployment can cause serious injury. ### How do I check if my Mazda CX-5 has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Mazda dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Mazda CX-5 warning lights - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/mazda-cx-5): 55 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/mazda-cx-5): 91 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/mazda-cx-5): 51 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/mazda-cx-5): 55 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/mazda-cx-5): 11 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/mazda-cx-5): 11 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/mazda-cx-5): 13 complaints ## Airbag (SRS) warning light on other models - [Subaru Forester](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/subaru-forester): 280 complaints - [Nissan Altima](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-altima): 250 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ford-explorer): 205 complaints - [Nissan Rogue](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-rogue): 163 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/honda-accord): 90 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-wrangler): 88 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ram-1500): 77 complaints - [Volkswagen Tiguan](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/volkswagen-tiguan): 75 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-cherokee): 71 complaints - [Chevrolet Traverse](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/chevrolet-traverse): 69 complaints ## Mazda CX-5 - [Mazda CX-5 specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/mazda-cx-5) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/mazda-cx-5 Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.