Mazda recalls original 6

Mazda Australia has recalled 4650 Mazda6 and 11 RX-8 vehicles sold between August 22, 2002 and February 27, 2004 to repair potentially faulty passenger airbags.

The safety recall affects the first-generation Mazda6 sedan and wagon and the RX-8 coupe, and relates to a problem with the passenger-side airbag inflator.

"Due to inappropriate production/storage of the propellant in the inflator of the passenger-side airbag, the density of the propellant may be insufficient," said Mazda in its recall notice.

"As a result, the propellant may ignite abnormally at the time of airbag deployment, which may result in extremely high inner pressure of the inflator and a rupture of the inflator case.

"If the case ruptured, the airbag might not deploy as designed and therefore may not reduce injury to a passenger, or fractured parts might fly apart and cause injury to a passenger."

Mazda says it will contact all affected customers by mail, advising them of the next steps. Consumers desiring further information should contact Mazda Customer Support on 1800 034 411.

Today's Mazda6 recall is an extension of a similar recall announced in May 2013, involving 468 MY2003-2004 Mazda6 vehicles.

However, it is distinct from two recalls for the current-generation Mazda6 announced earlier this year.

The first, announced in March, covered 1500 cars, while the second, issued in April, involved about 9000 Mazda6s built between November 2012 and April 2014 – almost all new-generation Mazda6 models – for a similar electrical problem.

In both cases, both petrol and diesel Mazda6s were affected by a potential Powertrain Control Module (PCM) glitch that can cause the battery to drain, resulting in "loss of essential functions, and eventually result in the engine stalling," said Mazda.