Mazda3 owners with corrosion issues, join us here!

[carcrazy]

OK, we can torch them all together. 

[MazdaRep]

Good morning,

My name is Katherine and I am with the Mazda Canada Internet Communication team.

To address this thread, I would like to stress that our number one priority here at Mazda Canada is and will remain customer satisfaction. If your vehicle has a concern of paint corrosion or rust nature, we recommend that you visit your local Mazda Dealer and speak with the Service Manager to have your concerns verified and evaluated.

We trust this will assist you in maintaining that Zoom-Zoom feeling we've all felt at the wheel of our Mazda vehicle.

Regards,

Katherine
Mazda Canada Internet Communications
Zoom-Zoom

[articsteve]

Tell me something, when Mazda owners call your customer service support telephone number are they speaking with Mazda Canada employees or employees of a third party Mazda contractor?

[normancw]

From what I have read on this thread very few ppl are getting the "surface rust" repaired which is covered under warranty for the first 3 years because the time expired.  If ppl are getting their "perforated" rust repaired it's a sand, bondo and a respray paint blend and it will resurface in about 3 years.  The proper job would require welding in new out and inner fenders which if it's on both sides of the car and parts of the rear then it would exceed the value of the car itself.

My wife's 2005 Mazda 3 (purchased Dec 2004) had some surface bubbling appear in this spring (no visible rust).  In May, 2009 Carling Mazda (Ottawa) replaced the left and rear quarter outer panels (part numbers BNYF-70-410B and BNFY-71-410B) under warranty - the total on the estimate (including GST) was $2472.86.  Both the service manager and body shop manager were very easy to deal with.

[MazdaRep]

Tell me something, when Mazda owners call your customer service support telephone number are they speaking with Mazda Canada employees or employees of a third party Mazda contractor?

Hi Articsteve,

When a Mazda owner contacts our Customer Relations number, they are indeed speaking with a Mazda Canada employee.


Katherine

[carcrazy]

Hi Kathrine,

Could you confirm that Mazda extended the corrosion warranty to 6 years on all Mazda3?

[slybry]

Good morning,

My name is Katherine and I am with the Mazda Canada Internet Communication team.

To address this thread, I would like to stress that our number one priority here at Mazda Canada is and will remain customer satisfaction. If your vehicle has a concern of paint corrosion or rust nature, we recommend that you visit your local Mazda Dealer and speak with the Service Manager to have your concerns verified and evaluated.

We trust this will assist you in maintaining that Zoom-Zoom feeling we've all felt at the wheel of our Mazda vehicle.

Regards,

Katherine
Mazda Canada Internet Communications
Zoom-Zoom

First I commend you for stepping into this forum to represent Mazda. That says a lot for Mazda right there. I hope your message will be received well and you will be treated with respect.

I bought my 2005 Mazda 3 in April 2009 with 18,000 kms. It had rust forming in wheel wells. As I have stated here my rusting problem was handled very well by Mazda dealer. I showed them the problem and they addressed it right away. I was told they were replacing a 4 inch section around the wheel wells. Not sure if that was done or rust was just removed and painted.

While my car looks great now I do have concerns about how it will hold up in long term as I like to keep my cars 10 to 12 years. I sold my 1997 Acura 1.6 with no rust thanks to regular rust proofing. I plan to spray my Mazda 3 every year.

I suspect my Mazda will have more paint and rust issues long before then. My car being white will look really bad with any rust at all. For this reason I am thinking about selling this car earlier than planned.

Overall I love the car and it driving dynamics. I would like to consider another Mazda but I need to be convinced that Mazda has taken steps to address the rusting issues in the newer models. I am concerned as this problem existed with the Proteges and was not addressed in Mazda 3's.

Question.... Has Mazda made changes in production to address this rusting problem. If changes were made can you tell me in what model year the fixes were implemented.
Thanks

[toolatecrew]

FYI I was working with a local bodyshop today and they said they expect to handel close to 1 million dollars in Mazda rust claims in the coming months.

Obviously Mazda is well prepared to deal with a high volume of these and the $ involved for them are substantial.

[MazdaRep]

Hi Kathrine,

Could you confirm that Mazda extended the corrosion warranty to 6 years on all Mazda3?

Good morning carcrazy,

The terms of warranty remain 3 years or 80 000 whichever comes first for surface rust and 5 years for perforation. We do have a Customer Care Program in place to properly assess rust concerns at the dealership.

The steps to having your vehicle evaluated, as with any concern that you may experience remains first and foremost to visit your local Mazda Dealer and speak with your Service Manager for assistance. They are the eyes and ears of Mazda Canada and they know your vehicle best.

Katherine

[MazdaRep]

First I commend you for stepping into this forum to represent Mazda. That says a lot for Mazda right there. I hope your message will be received well and you will be treated with respect.

I bought my 2005 Mazda 3 in April 2009 with 18,000 kms. It had rust forming in wheel wells. As I have stated here my rusting problem was handled very well by Mazda dealer. I showed them the problem and they addressed it right away. I was told they were replacing a 4 inch section around the wheel wells. Not sure if that was done or rust was just removed and painted.

While my car looks great now I do have concerns about how it will hold up in long term as I like to keep my cars 10 to 12 years. I sold my 1997 Acura 1.6 with no rust thanks to regular rust proofing. I plan to spray my Mazda 3 every year.

I suspect my Mazda will have more paint and rust issues long before then. My car being white will look really bad with any rust at all. For this reason I am thinking about selling this car earlier than planned.

Overall I love the car and it driving dynamics. I would like to consider another Mazda but I need to be convinced that Mazda has taken steps to address the rusting issues in the newer models. I am concerned as this problem existed with the Proteges and was not addressed in Mazda 3's.

Question.... Has Mazda made changes in production to address this rusting problem. If changes were made can you tell me in what model year the fixes were implemented.
Thanks

Hi slybry,

Thanks for your support with Mazda approaching the online world of car lovers and enthusiasts. We welcome any feedback and are definitely here to educate and further the public’s passion for our cars!

Mazda Canada is a fun and enthusiastic ever improving developing and growing car manufacturer.
Our origins started with Zoom-Zoom and we learn and grow from providing that feeling to our owners as we look forward to seeing them coming back.

The Mazda3 as we are sure you are aware, has been a huge success and hit from the moment it hit our Dealer showrooms.
With this success comes the responsibility of ensuring that our product maintains and keeps up with not only our clients, but the market environment as well.

We know that harsh weather conditions and the application of corrosive road de-icing products contribute to rust development.

Because you plan to keep your car 10 to 12 years, as you have done with your Acura, the application of rust proofing can extend the life expectancy and minimize the occurrence of rust. Regular washing, and touching up paint chips and scratches is a small investment as well.

Mazda continuously evaluates our product and makes ongoing product improvements. You can be reassured that subsequent model years benefit from our research and constant improvement.
 
We continue to stress that owners of any vehicle, should maintain their vehicles diligently and pay heed to items such as scratches, stone chipping and other paint damage areas that worsen over time if not addressed. Your Mazda dealer, will have the tools necessary for all your vehicle care needs.

I hope this answers your question!

Katherine

[carcrazy]

Hi Kathrine,

Could you confirm that Mazda extended the corrosion warranty to 6 years on all Mazda3?

We do have a Customer Care Program in place to properly assess rust concerns at the dealership.

Does this program apply to Mazda3s older than 5 years? Is there a description of this program available to the public?

[MazdaRep]

Hi Kathrine,

Could you confirm that Mazda extended the corrosion warranty to 6 years on all Mazda3?

We do have a Customer Care Program in place to properly assess rust concerns at the dealership.

Does this program apply to Mazda3s older than 5 years? Is there a description of this program available to the public?

Hi carcrazy,

The Customer Care Program is simply a process through which vehicles are assessed at a Mazda dealership with regards to rust concerns any owner may have. (i.e. appt with service manager, work order opened, pictures taken, review with Mazda Canada) The details remain the terms of warranty, however because we absolutely focus on customer satisfaction at all levels we have this program that enables dealers to review each case individually as described below.

Have a good afternoon,

Katherine

[Shnak]

Given all the rust problems Mazda has been encountering recently, I really think they should follow VW's lead and offer 10-12 years rust perforation warranty. It would show that they have confidence in their products in regards to rust.

[Giant Dwarf]

Given all the rust problems Mazda has been encountering recently, I really think they should follow VW's lead and offer 10-12 years rust perforation warranty. It would show that they have confidence in their products in regards to rust.

The double-sided galvanized process that the Germans have been been doing for a long time does seem to make sense, doesn't it? 

Still, my wife's Mazda3 doesn't get washed as often as it should (though it does sleep in our garage) and there is no sign of rust on it.  In fact, when I finally washed it a few weeks ago I thought to myself how impressively the paint was holding up despite the 'neglect' (relative to my car). 

My MX-5 didn't show any corrosion either, but the paint was pretty bad on it right from the get-go.  Black always shows marks, but this seemed to be really bad and even from the factory there was a flaw in the finish on the trunk lid about 4" wide by 1.5" high.  I simply lived with it (and apparently it wasn't noticeable enough for most people since nobody picked up on it at the end of the lease).

But I digress...

[articsteve]

Given all the rust problems Mazda has been encountering recently, I really think they should follow VW's lead and offer 10-12 years rust perforation warranty. It would show that they have confidence in their products in regards to rust.

Virtually all the domestic and asian auto companies only offer five years on rust perforation which is in reality a JOKE.   For rust "perforation" to occur within 5 years there must be a major design flaw in the vehicle whether that be the metal or it's fabrication/installation.

Mazda is hardly doing their current 2005+ Mazda 3 customers a favour on this one.  It's obvious there is a major issue with the rear quarter panels at least.  What they should do is extend the warranty coverage on these vehicles to 8 years.  Therefore, extending the value of these cars to approx. 13 years.  Currently, these vehicles are a no go in the used market.  The ill informed will buy these vehicles used, inherit the same issue, but have no coverage.  They will during the course of their ownership be a mobile advertisement for Mazda on why not to own a Mazda. 

   

[Careener]

I just did the tire changeover on my 06 Maz 3 and scooped out sludge that had accumulated in the rear wheel wells. I could see that causing an issue.

[carcrazy]

They will during the course of their ownership be a mobile advertisement for Mazda on why not to own a Mazda. 

Everything else being equal, I'd take a used, slightly rusted 05 Mazda3 over a mint 05 Corolla any day. 
I think it's a matter of personal choice and priorities.

[Shnak]

They will during the course of their ownership be a mobile advertisement for Mazda on why not to own a Mazda. 

Everything else being equal, I'd take a used, slightly rusted 05 Mazda3 over a mint 05 Corolla any day. 
I think it's a matter of personal choice and priorities.

What about when you're trying to get rid of a 6-7 year old rust bucket?

[carcrazy]

They will during the course of their ownership be a mobile advertisement for Mazda on why not to own a Mazda. 

Everything else being equal, I'd take a used, slightly rusted 05 Mazda3 over a mint 05 Corolla any day. 
I think it's a matter of personal choice and priorities.

What about when you're trying to get rid of a 6-7 year old rust bucket?

If that's your concern, you clean up the rust as soon as it shows up and you don't let it become a rust bucket. This is what I did anyway. I addressed the issue at the very first sign and my Mazda3 is almost 5 years old and it doesn't show any rusta at this time. If the rust shows up again between now and the time I sell it, I can spend few hundred bucks to have a cosmetic job done if necessary.

Most of the 05 Mazda3 and later models seem to have the rust contained around the wheel well. The 04 models also had the "bubbling" issue in other places and that's more difficult and expensive to address. I would stay away from 04 and early 05 cars if I'd buy used.

I don't deny the premature rusting is a real problem on the Mazda3 and other Mazda models and I never did in my previous posts, but there are ways to get around it if you really like the car.

What I'm saying is that I would be willing to put up with the troubles and enjoy driving and being in the car than play safe (e.g. buy a Corolla) and hate to be in it and drive it.
If one thinks it's not worth it, than he/she shouldn't buy one. It's that simple.

[articsteve]

They will during the course of their ownership be a mobile advertisement for Mazda on why not to own a Mazda. 

Everything else being equal, I'd take a used, slightly rusted 05 Mazda3 over a mint 05 Corolla any day. 
I think it's a matter of personal choice and priorities.

Well I certainly would not be purchasing a 2005 Corolla either, but I would never buy a vehicle with rust no matter what it was because it never ends up having a happy ending.  I would split the difference and look for a 2006 Civic.

I would also add that Mazda Canada is really doing nothing about this issue other than indicating that they will honour their rust warranty.  Whippie.  5 years is ridiculous for rust holes.