2016 Mazda Mazda6

On certain vehicles, there may be excessive weld spatter on the front passenger seat frame due to a manufacturing issue. Over time, the occupant classification sensor wire harness may chafe and wear against the weld splatter and cause an electrical short. This could result in a loss of power steering assist and/or a deactivation of the entire airbag system. A loss of power steering assist could unexpectedly increase steering effort, which could increase the risk of a crash, and failure of airbags to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Correction: Dealers will affix a protective pad to the seat frame to prevent the wire harness from chafing. If the harness has already been damaged, dealers will also apply insulating tape on the harness. If the harness has been damaged beyond repair, dealers will replace the bottom seat cushion containing the sensor, and the harness. Note: The airbag warning light, along with other malfunction indicator lights will illuminate in the instrument cluster if this condition is present.