Side/window Air Bag problems of the 2003 Mazda Protege

2003 Mazda Protege would not pass 2019 virginia safety inspection due to defective passenger side airbag. Dealer cannot replace because Mazda has discontinued that part. Under virginia law, car cannot be operated without valid inspection certificate. Inspection disclosed no other disqualifying conditions.

I have a 2003 Mazda Protege. When I purchased the car, I paid extra for a side airbags and anti-lock brake package. On Monday, December 20th of 2004, I was broad sided by a 1990 huge chevy work pick up. I was going 40 mph, I estimate the truck at the same. My side airbags failed to deploy. If I had not seen the truck coming and offset the angle of impact, my brother and I would most likely be in the hospital right now. When I contacted Mazda consumer affairs, I was told that they were not guaranteed to deploy and ?made a note in my file they failed to deploy. ? at no point during the buying process was I told they were not guaranteed. When talking to Mazda?s consumer affairs, I was also told they would not look into the failure unless my insurance company came after them.

My son was involved in an auto accident and none of the front or side air bags went off. Though he or the other driver was not seriously injured my concern was why didnt the air bags go off? everyone I have spoke to about this felt there may of been some defect in this car because of all the damage involved my son was pulling out of a side road onto the main highway he never saw the driver and hit the car on the passenger side my sons car was totaled. He just purchased the car brand new in April 2003 he had less than 15,000 miles on the car the transmission was busted as well as many other parts I spoke to senator corman regarding this issue and he said to file a complaint I also spoke to Mazda regarding this however they said they werent aloud to investigate it that we would have to do this ourselves the insurance adjuster also commented on the air bags not going off I have pictures of the wrecked car and my son has the police report if you need any other information please call or email me down below I listed 4 failures that was all the air bags as for anyother information about this I have the insurance copy of the damage any assistance you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Failure of front and side air bags to deploy.

Failure of side air bag to deploy. On date indicated the right side of my 2003 Mazda Protege5 struck a metal utility pole with sufficient force to cause the vehicle to be a total loss, yet the side curtain air bag did not deploy. This was a direct and not glancing blow the main force of which struck immediately over the right rear wheel. Interestingly enough, when notified, the Mazda USA customer service representative stated that the insurance company (usaa) should initiate any required action. Yet, the insurance company claims they are not "involved" if the air bag did not contribute to the cause of the accident. Is no one but me concerned that there may be a defective side air bag system design or that a defective unit may have been installed in my car?.