Mazda 3 Rattles, Bumps, and Squeaks

chinny12

Hi there,
My mazda famila 98 is making a screeching noise when i accelerate it seems to be only doing this in the morning on the way to work. It lasts for about 3-5sec and stops. If anyone could point me in the right direction on a fix for this

Thanks

silvermzda3

check the belt (accessory/fan?/alternator) and tensioner.

igozoomzoom

I had a nasty run-in with a deep pothole in my '06 Mazda3 almost two years ago. It bent both of the alloy wheels on that side of the car and caused one of the fluid-filled engine mounts to rupture/explode. My mechanic fixed the engine mount for barely $100, then I learned months later that Mazda had issued a service bulletin admitting that the engine mount was defective...but the pothole didn't help! And the replacement 17" alloys cost about $700 for two!

Not sure what they tweaked or adjusted on yours, but I'd take it back in. Ask them specifically what they do to correct it!

autonomous

I had a nasty run-in with a deep pothole in my '06 Mazda3 almost two years ago ... replacement 17" alloys cost about $700 for two!

Yowza! That's an expensive pothole.

igozoomzoom

I had a nasty run-in with a deep pothole in my '06 Mazda3 almost two years ago ... replacement 17" alloys cost about $700 for two!

Yowza! That's an expensive pothole.

I was out-of-pocket for the $800 total repair costs intially. But I filed a claim on my comprehensive insurance covereage and got back all but my $100 dedictible! =) First time I've never needed or used comprehensive coverage...though I have used the collission coverage on at least four vehicles over the last 19 years. :P

autonomous

I filed a claim on my comprehensive insurance covereage and got back all but my $100 dedictible!

Yes! We like happy endings.

desy1003

I just bought a used 2006 Mazda 3. Every time I turn the car on, a beep comes on. Every 2 minutes while i'm driving, stopped, ANYTHING-One single long beep. I don't have any lights turning on the dashboard. I took it to the Mazda dealer and THEY have no clue what it is. Has anyone had this issue? Please help.

PF_Flyer

Just on first blush, that sounds like something with a low battery that needs to be charged, almost like someone stashed a cell phone under the seat that they forgot.

Did the beep happen for the dealer without you in the car? (Just covering the bases)

desy1003

Well, the gas tank light was on when I test drove the car so I figured a trip to the gas station would stop the beep. Not at all. I've gone back to the dealer to let them know about the beep but said he had no idea what it was and unfortunately, I bought the car "As Is". The other 2 issues I have are the ignition light staying after ive removed the car key AND the "Passenger Airbag is Off" light stays on regardless if someone is in the passenger seat. Don't know if it could be related to the airbag light

jeffyscott

Buying the car as is does not mean it is acceptable for a Mazda dealer to say they don't know what it is. Are they not actually willing to fix it, even if you would pay for the repair? I'd go to another dealer, if that is an option for you.

Do you have an owners manual? There are only a few things that are supposed to cause beeps. If you don't have a manual, I think if you register on line with mazdausa.com you can download an electronic copy for free. Not sure if knowing the things that are supposed to beep would help or not.

desy1003

Well guess what, I just found the Owners Manual and I now know what the issue is.... "If a malfunction is detected in the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner systems and the warning light, a warning beep sound will be heard for about 5 seconds every minute..." Now I will take it to get fixed... Thank you!

jeffyscott

Great!

But how could the Mazda dealer not know that would be one thing to check?

Also I thought you had said there was no warning light on.

desy1003

The dealer said "We have no idea what that beep could be" and wanted to charge $150 just to find out and get a "deeper" diagnostic. Unbelievable!

And I dont have a light on my dashboard BUT the Airbag light stays on.

ahightower

Seems to me it could be illegal for them to sell a car with a defective airbag. At the very least, not good business. Regardless of your purchase "as-is, no warranty", they still must make sure the cars they sell are safe. They wouldn't sell one with a missing seat belt, would they? I would push back hard on this issue.

tj6968

My 2005 doesn't have much of a squeaking problem with the brakes. Unless it's been sitting for a few days and I'm backing up. Kind of annoying sometimes.

autonomous

squeaking problem with the brakes ... sitting for a few days

That's normal for any car with disc brakes. The surface corrosion is visible on the rotors but is easily remedied with a couple of applications of the brakes. Bonus: everyone gets to hear you coming!

RiceBurner3

I have a Mazda3 i and I get a rattle when cruising above 50 MPH. If it's windy, the sound increases with the wind gusts. It's definitly outside. I had the glove compartment replaced due to a severe rattle over bumps.

3driver

Did you ever figure out what this noise is? I have the same issue. I am starting to think its the timing chain on mine. I used to be able to get up to about 70 before the rattle started and now its earlier, maybe low 60s. My thought was that if the chain is getting looser that the sound will get worse. I dont know where the chain is but mine comes from the drivers side of the car. Yours?

lazyk

just bought a 2010 Mazda3 iTouring (auto)

Noticed that when I close the window (driver or front passenger - haven't tried the back) there is a resounding THUD when the glass reaches the top and seals. It's a louder THUD / sealing noise than i noticed in my sienna when it was new.

is this normal?
Thanks

lazyk

just bought a 2010 iTouring auto sedan

noticed that when i'm driving 40mph - 55 mph it runs fine, feels good. but when i'm on the highway doing 65 mph it doesnt feel as smooth or tight when (driving straight, no turns/curves). kinda feel it more under my feet.

maybe cause i'm a toyota owner (Sienna and Camry) and am use to a more softer/quieter ride. but not sure if it's due to a problem in this particular vehicle.

ideas?
thanks

autonomous

I experienced a similar problem this month when my 2002 Mazda Protege5 started rattling upon startup and when accelerating. In my case, it turned out to be some loose heat shield clamps, etc. Once they were removed, the noise disappeared.

m3touring

Hi all,

Like a number of 2010 Mazda3 owners, I've been hearing the metallic rattle coming from the rear when going over small bumps (especially with the rear seats folded down, radio off, windows up, and rear carpet removed). I took it to the dealer to get diagnosed; they replaced the rear shocks with new ones.

The rear shock replacement didn't get rid of my rattle after all. I took it back to the dealership. They determined that the rattle was coming from the fuel tank. They called up Mazda directly to ask about repair/replacement. Mazda is aware of the problem, and indicated that the splash guard within the fuel tank is loose, and, therefore, rattles over minor bumps (this is very apparent with the rear seats folded, radio off, etc.) The dealer also looked for the issue on their brand new (i.e. unsold) 3s sitting on the lot - they all have this problem. I guess only those of us with sensitive hearing actually notice it....

I asked the technicians if this problem will grow worse, or if it will cause major damage to the tank. They said it wouldn't.

Anyway, since all fuel tanks on all 3s will have this problem, there is no point in replacing the fuel tank with a new one. Repairing it seems pretty difficult since the problem is within the walls of the tank. I've called up Mazda customer service reporting this, but all I got was that "this problem will be looked into".

My own solution to this is to find some lightweight, but sound-absorbing foam and stuff it around the spare tire. It will help with the overall road noise too.

RiceBurner3

Sorry for the delay getting back to you. I went to the Dealer and I went out with the mechanic to reproduce the noise. Of course it would not make the noise. The noise is similar to a loose washer on a bolt and is on the Passenger side. The guy probly thinks I'm nuts! I need to have him ride w/me above 65Mph

saak

Thank you for the information. I, too, had been wondering what the heck was making that soft rattle in the trunk area when driving over rough pavement. I suspected it may be coming from the spare tire, or from the tools and equipment stored around the spare tire. Never would have guessed it was from the fuel tank -- how weird. In any case, this is a minor issue (even for those of us with sensitive hearing). The car is solid, and amazingly rattle-free and squeak-free in all other respects.

mel00

I have a 2010 Mazda3 sport hatchback and I had this same rattle. I finally figured it out myself because I didn't want to risk having the dealership dismantle and cause something else. Remove the panel that covers the back middle break light (next to the hatch window). I used masking tape to cover the plastic inserts that snap into the adjacent panel. It not only makes a tighter fit but it totally stopped the squeaking noise. Good luck!

melissa10102

Hi

Did you ever figure out what was causing this? I am in the EXACT same scenario that you were. Just wanted to know what ended up happening because I am trying to figure out if this has something to do with them towing my vehicle.

please let me know what you ended up doing with your mazda3.

thank you

m3touring

Thanks for the info, but I don't have the hatchback m3 (I have the sedan). When you say "middle break light" do you mean the one attached to the rear windshield on the interior? Did you have a squeaking noise or a rattle?

Thanks

m3touring

I have also noticed a buzzing noise when I first start the A/C and the car is at a standstill. The buzz goes away after the first few seconds. The A/C seems to be working fine. I think it is normal for this car.

steven39

mazda_pro1

Most likely engine mount #3