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Comments
Anybody in Ottawa (I split time between the two cities)know if dealers here have the part.
This seems to be a safety issue, I generally defend Mazda, but they should address this quickly. Shouldn't Mazda Canada at the very least get in touch with all of us. God forbid somebody have a fatal accident.
I really like this car, but @#$%%!!@#*, where's the customer service, not to mention corporate responsibility.
I suggest that you contact Mazda Canada since they are aware of the issue, (number is on the website) ask them nicely what the appropriate action your dealer should be taking.
Take the action you feel is appropriate after that.
Happy Hunting!
I'm sorry to hear you got the airbag light on too. The full story on this is when the first people got their airbag sensors replaced, the replacements were the same part # as the original (so a few people have had a second failure). Only since early February have dealers received the airbag sensor with the newer part number. This airbag problem is world-wide and Mazda simply doesn't have enough replacement parts to meet demand yet for both US & Canada.
As to a shortage of parts, it may be a reason but it is not a legal excuse.
Personally, I don't really want a rental car, since I am a firm believer in the value of good snowtires (I have Blizzacs on my 3). Don't get me wrong, I'm not exactly tickled pink about the thought of no airbags, but I prefer avoiding the accident to relying on crash protection.
I know I could call Mazda Canada, and they would no doubt press the issue with my dealer and arrange something, but should I have to?
Why do you need to fight for customer service after dropping a cheque for more than $25000?
This won't make me swear off Mazda, since I still love the cars, and I know similar complaints are levelled at all manufacturers, but it does take the sheen off the new car experience. sorry for the rant
Because the sensor fails with dirt/salt/water getting into a cracked sensor, and the fact that it's currently winter, it's not a surprise that Canadian's are primarily reporting the failure. However, there have been reports from Canada, US, and Europe.
If you are having so many problems you should check with your government to see if there is any type of legal protection.
I know nothing about how things work in Canada but here in California there is a very strict "Lemon Law". With all of the problems you have had coupled with your dealer's and Mazda's unwillingness/inability to solve the issues you would definately be able to return the car and get a full refund.
Maybe someone one here knows something about Canadian Consumer Protections Laws, if any?
I too noticed the brake dust scoring but only for about the first week - it is normal now.
Weather could be a issue since there have been dramatic climate changes over the last 60 days from -21 (-5.8F)centigrade to +10 centigrade (50F). But more than temperature the climate change (from wet soppy humidity to dry to the point where everything you touch is static charged) is often tough on cars.
Obviously no excuse for a brand new car to shut down - but factors than more moderate climates.
Also have the cars started selling at different times? I know up here my hatch was available in mid - late January and I believe the Sedan was available in November.
My 2 cents - the only weird thing that I have experienced is a very loud sound that occured while I was in a parking lot moving very slowly.
It was the sound you hear when a stone hits your windshield at a high rate of speed. The sound came from the middle of the car. It forced me to go out and have a look because I thought something dropped out of the sky and hit the car.
I found nothing and nothing has happened since. Just really odd....who knows!
That being said the rear rotors are still wearing and showing in a completely different way than the front. Maybe the brake force distribution is off and they apply more to the rear than needed and it needs adjustment. Maybe they just have the wrong rotor on these cars for the rear? Why can't my front rotors be the same as the rear? I will be contacting Mazda and I am due for the 3000-mile oil change. I want some freakin info. No one seems to know what they’re talking about with this stuff.
So at least in my case the brake dust problem in the rear rotors is due to some other cause.
Just returned from the first long (500 miles) trip, and my biggest complaint is the cramped lateral leg room. My right leg presses up against the molding strip around the audio system and I was glad to get home.
I thought the interior dimensions were a bit larger than the Protege, but the way the audio system juts out into the passenger area, it cancels out any extra room there might be.
One thing I have noticed is that the Mz3 won't let you top off the tank. Is this a deliberate design by Mazda? Doesn't take long at all for the fuel gauge to fall below the Full mark.
Lots of questions about owner satisfaction.
I told her the biggest problem was with the brakes.
Anyway, at the end of the conversation she said I could call Mazda to discuss the brake problems. The # she gave was 1-800-222-5500. She said to reference the survey from RDA.
I haven't called yet so it might not result in anything.
Just thought I'd let you guys know.
I realize that everyone on this board spends a lot of money on their cars, and some of these issues are very frustrating, but I can't help but feel that there is a lot of nitpicking going on. Brake dust happens! Is there any performance degredation? probably not. Document the problem, log a complaint, and forget about it. If your rotors need replacement after 10K miles, then you have a course of action.
My 94 civic had a defective clutch. My 2000 Celica had a broken weather seal, CEL issues and Alignment issues. Hang tight, Mazda will do right by you.
I bought my mazda3 in dec and had an air bag indicator problem within a month, i took to te service guy and he ordered a part and replaced it,
now, after some time its the same problem again, I am taking to the service guy. I was just wondering if this problem is with any of u guys before...
This past weekend, I was lovingly handwashing and drying my baby...and I notice some serious paint defects on the hood. I am working with my dealer to find out what this is and getting it fixed ... anyone else notice this? and do you know what it is
I am having the same issue with my 3hatch as a couple of others on here #82 and one other. I took out all the cargo trays, checked seat belts, spare tire, headliner... everything, even the tire jack in the left side wall.
After all this and a couple of trips to the dealer where they checked my rear suspension and also greased up the hatch lock and striker (which did quiet down a little), I have come to the conclusion that since it only happens when it is cold outside (or so it seems), that it is the gas charged hatch supports that hold it open. When you have it open, wiggle them a little and that noise may sound familiar to you, just like the popping,rattling noise you experience while going down the road with it closed of course. I have not gone back to the dealer because it is warm here now and they are quiet. At least that is what I am thinking now, because I have practically torn the rear of this car apart looking for it and that is where it seems to be...I have even tightened up the license plate holder by putting a big rubber wedge between it and the hard styrofoam part of the bumper...Anyone else on here have any ideas????? Please help
HONDA has announced it is RECALLING 440,000 CIVICS (2001-2002) & INSIGHTS (2000-2002) because the low-beam headlights just fail without warning.
I don't have the total count of recalls on those Civics, but I think it is high (considering it's a Honda).
I will post this in the regular/original Mazda 3 forum and the Mazda 3 Hatchback forum.
When I recently took my Honda in for service the dealer automatically replaced a few parts that had been recalled for one reason or another.
As a general rule it isn't a great idea to buy a car in the first two years the model is made. Much like a computer program, it takes time to get all the "bugs" out. It is somewhat understandable that many of us are having a few minor problems.
I decided to purchase the Mazda 3 not only because I really liked it but also because it has the same 4 cylinder engine as the 6 and much of the rest of the car comes from other Ford owned companies like Volvo. Besically, the important parts aren't really new.
I have a minor problem with the brakes and it will be fixed soon. So far I haven't read about any truly serious problems with this car.
We had 4 or 5 with this issue...We have a tech who previously work with a highline German brand and he had seen this before. He took a heat gun and essentially heated up the surface and it vanished and never returned. Most consumer hair dryers don't get hot enough to work.
I've had the CEL and Airbag issues with my 3, but I am happy with the car overall.
No. You should buy a Honda.
Oh wait, maybe you should read this first:
http://www.indystar.com/articles/1/125912-9621-031.html
There's nothing quite as exciting as having your headlights totally go out without warning.
I am of the school of thought that EVERY vehicle has, at worst, the potential of being a LEMON. The only question remains is what are the chances of buying/driving one? For those having problems with their Mazda (regardless of which one), I'm sure Mazda will do right by you (can't say the same for the individual dealers, though they stand to make a bundle off of mfg's blunders).
I think this car was built very cheaply. Noway will this car last 10 years. My paint chips very easily, I have that knocking noise in the rear, I've got the high humming noise from the audio area, I've got the brakes issue, thermostat issue, air bag issue...and the beat goes on. For a brand new car, it sucks!! So there are other makes and models who also have their downfalls...it still doesn't make it right that I have these problems with my car. Mazda has NOT done right for me. Basically, this is the car they built. Lemon or not, this is it.
So far, after 1000 miles, I'm not so sure about that. The Pro had zero problems and, unlike the Mz3, had a less cramped cabin layout.
Granted, the Mz3 is much peppier and sportier looking.
All in all, however, I wish I had my Pro back. I think my wife does too.
The lesson here is, #1, remember that in lots of cases beauty really is only skin deep. #2, don't buy a new model car of any make until the bugs are identified and ironed out.
Well, let me think about this. Which would be more "exciting"? Having my low beam go out, which would be kinda exciting if I was driving at night. Or having the engine cut out, which could happen at night, during the day, in an intersection, going down a mountain road, while driving thru Harlum.....hmm...interesting choice.
I have had the Mazda3 for about 1 1/2 months (1,500 miles) and with the exception of a little brake dust on the rear wheels during the first 1,000 miles I have had no problems.