Mazda recalls 12,000 over bad airbags

Mazda Motor announced Thursday that it will recall more than 12,000 vehicles from the Japanese domestic market to replace faulty airbags. The recall covers the JDM Premacy, Atenza and Ixion models (branded as Fords in Japan) manufactured between March 1999 and July 2002. Three accidents have apparently been attributed to the faulty airbags, which can abruptly open. Not a very fun surprise. About 19,000 of the affected vehicles were sold in export markets during the period, but the company has yet to issue a recall overseas.