# 1997 MAZDA 626 — AIR BAGS
> NHTSA complaint `523336` · 2005-02-23 · Mazda Motor Corp.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** MAZDA
- **Model:** 626
- **Year:** 1997
- **Manufacturer:** Mazda Motor Corp.
- **Component:** AIR BAGS
- **Miles at failure:** 87,000
- **Speed:** 25 mph
## Narrative
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 1997 MAZDA 626 WHEN SHE HIT A POTHOLE AT 19TH AND SPRING GARDEN STS IN PHILA., PA.  BOTH AIRBAGS WENT OFF, BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD.  HER NECK WAS A LITTLE RED AFTER THE INCIDENT, BUT NO MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS SOUGHT.  WE FOUND A SMALL DENT IN THE RIM, BUT THE TIRE DID NOT GO FLAT.  SHE DROVE THE CAR TO A PLACE WHERE SHE COULD PULL OFF THE ROAD.  OUR INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE CAR.  I FOUND THAT 97 MAZDA 626'S WERE RECALLED.  I HAD A DEALER CHECK OUR VIN NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD BEEN TAKEN IN FOR THE RECALL.  OUR INSURANCE COMPANY AAA MIDATLANTIC IS CALLING THIS A CHARGEABLE ACCIDENT AND RAISING OUR RATES 40%.  I FEEL THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED WHEN HITTING A POTHOLE AT NO MORE THAN 25 MPH THAT DID NO REAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR.  LUCKILY, SHE WAS NOT HURT, BUT WAS CERTAINLY SCARED TO DEATH WHEN IT WENT OFF.*AK
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*