2008 Mazda B-Series: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 11 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags; the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“unknown. have been trying to get airbag recall scheduled with Jim Doran Mazda in Mcminnville, OR for months. 1st appointment no record of parts being ordered. now nobody can confirm parts being ordered for upcoming appointment.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2022
“Truck involved in auto accident involving a suv running a red light at high spped. To avoid being broadsided daughter braked hard to stopped but still hit the suv rear bumper as he continued to drive thru the red light.. Daughter expected airbags to deployed and shielded her face. No airbags. This was a four lane road leading to the freeway at a intersection with daughter entering with a green lite severe whiplash and back pains. Currently at the hospital er.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 mazda b-series truck. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v013000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The dealer (doug's lynnwood mazda, 22130 wa-99, edmonds, wa 98026, 425-774-3551) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were unavailable for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. *tt”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mazda b2300. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 17v013000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact received the recall notification in march of 2017. The contact spoke with ron tonkin mazda (750 se 122nd avenue, portland, oregon 97233, phone (503) 257-2420) several times and was informed that the part was unavailable for the repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mazda b-series truck. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 16v499000 (air bags) had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer advised that the part was not available for the recall repair. The contact did not experience a failure. VIN tool confirms remedy not yet available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 mazda b2300. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v499000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 mazda b23. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v499000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The balise mazda dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 mazda b23s 2a. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v499000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer stated that the parts were not available and the contact would be notified when the parts become available. The dealer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“While driving the truck at approx 60 mph on a straight road, the steering locked, unable to turn the wheel or control the truck, it veered to the left, crossed over oncoming lane, slowed the truck as much as possible and veered off the road, crashed the truck, total loss. Was unable to control the steering despite pulling. Previously had no trouble with steering or driving the truck. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2014
“Throttle sticks at all times, takes up to 30 seconds to return to idle. No engine braking, you have to ride the brakes at times to compensate for sticking throttle. Dealer is claiming they all do it. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2009 B-Series pickup trucks. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk with an interim letter mailed April 26, 2021. A second letter was sent December 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4821C.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 B-Series trucks manufactured June 6, 2006, to January 22, 2009, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 B-Series trucks manufactured February 21, 2006, to April 28, 2008, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda notified owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9616F.
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2009 B-Series trucks sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2007-2008 B-Series trucks sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0817A.
How other years compare
Check your exact B-Series by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Mazda B-Series reliable?
NHTSA has 11 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Mazda B-Series. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2008 Mazda B-Series have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.