Mazda North American Operations
Irvine, CA 92618-2922

Service Alert
Subject:

7TH GENERATION i-ACTIVSENSE FAQ

Service Alert No.: SA-024/19

Last Issued: 06/12/2019

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS
2019 Mazda3

DESCRIPTION
The 7th generation i-ACTIVSENSE introduced on the 2019 Mazda3 (BP) has been equipped with
updates/new functions. The following FAQs will help to understand the changes from the 6th gen iACTIVSENSE in order to provide the customer with correct and detailed information.
These FAQs cover the following content:





System function, purpose and operating conditions.
Operations that customers might not understand as a vehicle failure.
Function limitations and vehicle reaction time.

About these systems:








Driver Attention Alert (DAA)
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Human Machine Interface (HMI)
360 Degree View Monitor System
Sensors - General
Accident avoidance support system - General

RCTA

Question
Are the warning messages displayed on the
multi-information display switched
automatically to display a warning on the
MAZDA CONNECT screen?

Answer
The view does not switch automatically. They are
displayed only when the customer turns the view on.

Is it possible that radar interference from
There is the possibility, however, the frequency of
another vehicle using 24 Ghz radar could cause occurrence should be extremely low, and there are no
a problem with operation?
problems with operation.
Page 1 of 5
CONSUMER NOTICE: The information and instructions in this bulletin are intended for use by skilled technicians. Mazda technicians utilize the proper tools/
equipment and take training to correctly and safely maintain Mazda vehicles. These instructions should not be performed by “do-it-yourselfers.” Customers
should not assume this bulletin applies to their vehicle or that their vehicle will develop the described concern. To determine if the information applies,
customers should contact their nearest authorized Mazda dealership. Mazda North American Operations reserves the right to alter the specifications and
contents of this bulletin without obligation or advance notice. All rights reserved. No part of this bulletin may be reproduced in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical---including photocopying and recording and the use of any kind of information storage and retrieval system ---without permission in
writing.

© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.

Service Alert No.: SA-024/19

Last Issued: 06/12/2019

How can the customer be made aware that a
radar unit is damaged?

If a radar unit has been damaged, the i-ACTIVSENSE
warning light turns on, a part of the i-ACTIVSENSE does
not operate, and a message indicating the damaged
radar unit is displayed.

Is there a recording function for the operation
history? Additionally, can verification of the
operation history at a dealer be done using a
diagnostic tester?

The operation log/history is not stored. A means of
storing the conditions at the time of a malfunction is
being investigated.

HMI

Question

Answer

Is there a recording function for the
operation history? Additionally, can
verification of the operation history
at a dealer be done using a
diagnostic tester?

The operation log/history is not stored. A means of storing the
conditions at the time of a malfunction is being investigated. A
message indicating the reason for canceling the operation is
displayed in the instrument cluster. The message displays the nonoperation status and the cause mutually at intervals of 5 seconds.

Because the operation history
recorded in the vehicle cannot be
verified at a dealer, what questions
should the customer be asked for a
diagnosis?

The message that is displayed in the instrument cluster, where it
occurred, and when it occurred are important questions to ask the
customer.

With the 6th generation, a DTC is
stored when the FSC is temporarily
The function is not available.
stopped. Is this function available on
the 7th generation?
For the systems related to hazard
avoidance, are they restored after
switching the ignition ON/OFF?

The systems related to hazard avoidance are restored after the
ignition is switched ON, even if the ignition was switched OFF,
however, the related warning message remains the same as
before the ignition was switched OFF.

DM/DAA

Page 2 of 5
CONSUMER NOTICE: The information and instructions in this bulletin are intended for use by skilled technicians. Mazda technicians utilize the proper tools/
equipment and take training to correctly and safely maintain Mazda vehicles. These instructions should not be performed by “do-it-yourselfers.” Customers
should not assume this bulletin applies to their vehicle or that their vehicle will develop the described concern. To determine if the information applies,
customers should contact their nearest authorized Mazda dealership. Mazda North American Operations reserves the right to alter the specifications and
contents of this bulletin without obligation or advance notice. All rights reserved. No part of this bulletin may be reproduced in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical---including photocopying and recording and the use of any kind of information storage and retrieval system ---without permission in
writing.

© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.

Service Alert No.: SA-024/19

Last Issued: 06/12/2019

Question

Answer

What are the
operation/nonoperation
conditions for
the DM/DAA?

5 km/h = 3 mph
65 km/h = 40 mph
What is the
operation start
condition that is DAA: Aims for a timing when the vehicle speed is 40 mph (65 km/h) or more. The
registered in the system performs learning over a traveled distance applicable to this condition.
DM/DAA
DM: Aims for a timing when the vehicle speed is about 3 mph (5 km/h) or more.
operation
conditions?
Does the
DM/DAA
operate when a
mask is worn,
and with that, is
there a limit to
the type of mask
and color?

The owner’s manual indicates the following: The system may not operate normally
under the following conditions: When wearing glasses or sunglasses.
The description indicates that the system may operate, however, with regard to this
matter, it is based on the assumption of a general mask (white, square-shape).
However, even at that, the system may not operate normally depending on how it is
worn.

Can the
operation

The operation history remains in the non-volatile memory on the CMU and it can be
divided into warning activation or non-activation based on internal or external
Page 3 of 5

CONSUMER NOTICE: The information and instructions in this bulletin are intended for use by skilled technicians. Mazda technicians utilize the proper tools/
equipment and take training to correctly and safely maintain Mazda vehicles. These instructions should not be performed by “do-it-yourselfers.” Customers
should not assume this bulletin applies to their vehicle or that their vehicle will develop the described concern. To determine if the information applies,
customers should contact their nearest authorized Mazda dealership. Mazda North American Operations reserves the right to alter the specifications and
contents of this bulletin without obligation or advance notice. All rights reserved. No part of this bulletin may be reproduced in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical---including photocopying and recording and the use of any kind of information storage and retrieval system ---without permission in
writing.

© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.

Service Alert No.: SA-024/19

history of the
DM/DAA be
verified at a
dealer?

Last Issued: 06/12/2019

operation conditions. However, because the non-volatile memory is encrypted, it is
necessary to send the part (CMU) to the supplier."

360°VM

Question

Answer

How far has the 360° degree view
monitor camera performance
6th generation: Video signal is analog/camera with 300,000 pixel.
improved from the 6th generation 7th generation: Video signal is digital/camera with 1,300,000 pixel.
to 7th generation vehicles?
The following are possible causes:
1. Flares/ghosts/halation: Highly bright light is picked up by the
camera or there is oil on the lens.
The camera image is difficult to
2. LED flicker: Flicker from the LED of own vehicle or other vehicles
view or it sometimes flickers. What
may occur.
could be the cause of this?
3. Noise: Noise which occurs during low light conditions such as at
night.
4. Other: Rain or snow on the lens, backlight.
If tire replacement is required, such as changing to winter tires,
there is the possibility of the camera images deviating, therefore
If the tires are replaced, is camera aiming may be necessary. Do an inspection using the inspection
aiming required?
procedure and then do the aiming if necessary.
NOTE: For tire sizes other than the factory setting, it would not be
covered by the warranty.

SBS

Question
Are there any differences in the functions of the
SCBS (low speed) on the 6th generation and the
SBS?

Answer
The AEB (automatic braking) function when driving in
the forward direction was standardized on the SBS.

Accident avoidance support system-general

Page 4 of 5
CONSUMER NOTICE: The information and instructions in this bulletin are intended for use by skilled technicians. Mazda technicians utilize the proper tools/
equipment and take training to correctly and safely maintain Mazda vehicles. These instructions should not be performed by “do-it-yourselfers.” Customers
should not assume this bulletin applies to their vehicle or that their vehicle will develop the described concern. To determine if the information applies,
customers should contact their nearest authorized Mazda dealership. Mazda North American Operations reserves the right to alter the specifications and
contents of this bulletin without obligation or advance notice. All rights reserved. No part of this bulletin may be reproduced in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical---including photocopying and recording and the use of any kind of information storage and retrieval system ---without permission in
writing.

© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.

Service Alert No.: SA-024/19

Last Issued: 06/12/2019

Question

Answer

(1) The operation vehicle speed has changed from less than or
What changes have been made to the equal to 6 mph (10 km/h) to less than or equal to 9 mph (15
pre-collision throttle control from the km/h).
6th to the 7th generation?
(2) The collision avoidance by automatic braking was added in
addition to the torque control.
For inquiries concerning unintended
SBS operation, does the operation
history remain in the vehicle?

Yes, it is recorded in the VCM. It can be read out using the
diagnostic tool, however, because analysis cannot be done in
markets, it needs to be sent to Mazda with an analysis request.

What are the functions available for
turning i-activsense on/off?

The following functions can be switched on/off all at once.
However, functions turned off using the personalization features
do not turn on.
1. Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
2. Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
3. Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
4. Lane-keep Assist System (LAS)
5. Distance Speed Alert (DSA)

Sensors - General

Question
In what unit are DTCs
stored?

Answer
They are stored in the VCM. Only the internal malfunction DTC (U3000:04) in
each sensor is stored.

Page 5 of 5
CONSUMER NOTICE: The information and instructions in this bulletin are intended for use by skilled technicians. Mazda technicians utilize the proper tools/
equipment and take training to correctly and safely maintain Mazda vehicles. These instructions should not be performed by “do-it-yourselfers.” Customers
should not assume this bulletin applies to their vehicle or that their vehicle will develop the described concern. To determine if the information applies,
customers should contact their nearest authorized Mazda dealership. Mazda North American Operations reserves the right to alter the specifications and
contents of this bulletin without obligation or advance notice. All rights reserved. No part of this bulletin may be reproduced in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical---including photocopying and recording and the use of any kind of information storage and retrieval system ---without permission in
writing.

© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.