What the Airbag Light On a Mazda 3 Means

The airbag light turns on to warn you about an issue with the airbag system. Get it checked out sooner rather than later.
Written by Mariza Morin
Reviewed by Pat Roache
If the airbag warning light illuminates on a Mazda 3, there may be an issue with your vehicle’s supplemental restraint system or the airbags. Take your sedan to a mechanic if you notice this light flashing as soon as you can.  
To keep your Mazda 3 in tip-top shape, make sure you know how to deal with all possible indication/warning lights, including the airbag light. It’s important to understand what it means, why it’s flashing, and how to reset it when it turns on. Even if you’re not a
car repair
expert, we’ll go over everything you need to know about the airbag warning light on a Mazda 3. 

What does the airbag light mean on a Mazda 3?

When you turn on your Mazda 3, your vehicle’s computer automatically scans the entire system for any potential issues—including the airbag system. If a problem is detected, the
airbag indicator light
or the supplemental restraint system (SRS) light on your instrument panel will illuminate or blink. 
The airbag warning light usually looks like a passenger buckled in with a round shape in front that represents the airbag. And there could be many reasons why your Mazda 3 airbag light is turning on. Common reasons include: 
  • Damaged airbag clock spring: With the intent of keeping continuity between the driver-side airbag and the electrical wiring of the vehicle, the airbag clock spring coils in and out as you turn your steering wheel. This spring can wear over time and cause your airbag light to flash. 
  • Damaged airbag module: If your
    airbag control module
    gets damaged, it can short out and result in a system failure, causing the airbag light to turn on. Make sure to review your
    car owner’s manual
    to see where your airbag module is located in your Mazda 3.
  • Drained airbag backup battery: If your
    Mazda’s car battery
    starts to drain, the airbag backup battery may be powering your car instead—which can trigger the light to flash.
  • Faulty sensors:
    Crash sensors
    communicate to your airbag control system when your front and side airbags need to be deployed, while seat sensors let the system know when the driver’s seat and front seat are occupied. If these begin to fail, the airbag warning light will illuminate. 
  • Wiring problems: The airbag system depends on wires that connect airbag sensors to the control module. If these wires get damaged or become loose, your airbag warning light will likely turn on. 
Unfortunately, these aren’t the only potential problems that could be causing your airbag light to illuminate. If you can’t figure out why your airbag light is turned on, you’ll need to
take your car to a mechanic
for diagnosis. 
Got an OBD-II scan tool at home? Then you can
check for car OBD codes
related to the airbag system on your own. 
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What you need to know about the 2004-2007 Mazda 3 airbag recall

In 2021, Mazda North American Operations issued a formal recall for certain Mazda 3 vehicles from 2004 to 2007 due to the shattering of the plastic emblem on the steering wheel airbag module cover during airbag deployment. If you get into an accident and the airbags are deployed, these plastic fragments could increase the risk of injury to you and other vehicle occupants. 
If you own a Mazda 3 from these model years and haven’t replaced the airbag module cover, then this may be the cause of why your airbag warning light is flashing. You should take your sedan to a Mazda dealership for an airbag module cover replacement. 

How to reset the airbag warning light on a Mazda 3 

If you need to reset your airbag warning light, you might need to reset the entire system on your Mazda 3. To do so, you can either:
  • Turn the ignition key from the “OFF” position to the “ACC” (accessories) position 10 times without starting the engine. In some cases, this process will reset and turn off your airbag light.
  • If that doesn’t work, you can try disconnecting the negative cable from the battery terminal using a wrench or pliers. Make sure to leave the cable disconnected for about 10 minutes then reconnect them. Not only will this reset your airbag light, but it will also cause all electronic systems to reset back to their original factory settings. 
These two options should help to reset the airbag light in your Mazda 3. If this warning light is still flashing, you can try to repeat either of these two solutions or take your sedan to a local mechanic or Mazda dealership for a proper diagnosis. 

Is it OK to drive with the Mazda 3 airbag light on? 

While your Mazda 3 should function normally when the airbag light is illuminated, it’s not safe to drive with this warning light on for the long haul
Considering that the airbag warning light means that there’s a possible issue with the airbag system, there’s a chance your airbag will not deploy if you get into an accident. Or if it does, your airbag could deploy inadequately, severely hurting you and your passengers—or worse. With the high probability of injury at stake, you shouldn’t wait too long before you take your Mazda 3 to a trusted mechanic to figure out why your airbag light is on. 
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