2020 Mazda CX3. Passenger Airbag Light

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dafman

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#277392 12-Oct-2020 18:43

A friend has recently purchased an ex-demo 2020 Mazda CX3. One thing that seems strange is the the passenger airbag warning light is permanently on. They have queried this with the dealer who advised that this is normal as it is designed to stay on.

They have accepted this information, but it sounds suspect to me as every other new car I have driven the airbag warning are designed to turn off to indicate the bag is functioning normally.

Can any other CX3 owners shed any light on this?

Goosey

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#2583310 12-Oct-2020 19:07

What does the graphic look like?

Assume it stays on when nobody is using that seat / seatbelt is not used?

l43a2

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#2583314 12-Oct-2020 19:21

does it turn off when a passenger is in the seat?

doctormaxim

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#2583315 12-Oct-2020 19:23

Can confirm my 2020 Mazda 3 is exactly the same.

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#2583319 12-Oct-2020 19:34

Weird. The light on my VW Golf will only be on when the airbag is deactivated with the key for maintenance - otherwise it is off.

RunningMan

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#2583320 12-Oct-2020 19:36

Some cars have an override key switch near the glovebox to turn the airbag off if using a child seat or similar - if fitted, check the position of that.

k1w1k1d

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#2583323 12-Oct-2020 19:51

What does the Owners Manual say?

Dunnersfella

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#2583327 12-Oct-2020 20:20

It's completely normal behaviour for Mazda.

To an engineer somewhere, it makes perfect sense.

For everyone else, it's bizarre.

I questioned the same thing with my 2019 Mazda 3 (it wasn't like it in my previous CX3).

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alasta

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#2583330 12-Oct-2020 20:40

I have a CX-5 and this is normal.

The seats in current generation Mazdas have a sensor in the passenger seat so that the airbag is enabled when the seat is occupied, or otherwise disabled on the assumption that an infant seat may be fitted. This eliminates the need for a manual switch as you might find on other vehicles.

There will be more details in your handbook.

lxsw20

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#2583339 12-Oct-2020 21:36

freitasm: Weird. The light on my VW Golf will only be on when the airbag is deactivated with the key for maintenance - otherwise it is off.

The deactivation key is more if you have a small child in the front seat than maintenance.

sidefx

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#2583382 13-Oct-2020 06:48

l43a2:

does it turn off when a passenger is in the seat?

OP probably needs to answer this to make a definite call on whether something is wrong?

Judging by other answers it should turn off when there's a passenger in it? (Sounds weird but sorta makes some sense.... Is it a pressure sensor in seat or just triggered by seatbelt?)

If it just stays on all the time, regardless of whether there's a passenger or not then it sounds like something is not right as in that case it would seem like there's no point having the light?

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Bung

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#2583388 13-Oct-2020 07:22

sidefx:
Judging by other answers it should turn off when there's a passenger in it? (Sounds weird but sorta makes some sense.... Is it a pressure sensor in seat or just triggered by seatbelt?)

If it just stays on all the time, regardless of whether there's a passenger or not then it sounds like something is not right as in that case it would seem like there's no point having the light?

If it is similar to other makes it should be a weight sensor in seat. I know in US market Suzuki spent a fortune replacing faulty passenger weight sensors. Mazda have probably decided to safeguard themselves by having a positive indication of airbag status.

In NZ market Suzuki doesn't switch passenger airbag, the visor has a reminder that babies and children are safer in backseat

dafman

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#2583415 13-Oct-2020 08:29

Thanks all, feedback appreciated. Looks like it is normal on current Mazdas.

minigopher17

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#2583418 13-Oct-2020 08:43

I too queried this with the dealer when I purchased a 2018 Mazda CX-5. Turns out it's a white "informing" message to tell you the airbag is enabled, rather than an orange "warning" message that needs attention.

CX-5 owner's manual covers this: https://owners-manual.mazda.com/gen/en/cx-5/cx-5_8ft1ee17b/contents/03040700.html - I'm sure the CX-3 would be very similar.