Mazda North American Operations submitted a petition to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) claiming that a defect in Takata airbag inflators in some Mazda vehicles was inconsequential to safety. The defect involves propellant degradation that could lead to inflator ruptures and potentially cause injury. After reviewing the evidence and arguments presented, NHTSA denied Mazda's petition, stating that Mazda had not adequately demonstrated that the defect posed no significant risk to motor vehicle safety. Consequently, Mazda is required to notify vehicle owners and provide a remedy for the defect.
Simple Explanation
Mazda wanted the government to say that a problem with their airbags wasn't dangerous, but the government said no, and now Mazda has to fix the airbags.