2004 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 170 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 24 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 19 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontalJul 1, 2021
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.
Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the air bag module cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between August 28, 2021 and October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4921G.
Campaign 21V494000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentApr 2, 2009
THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.
THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.
Campaign 09E011000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveSep 24, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CRACK IN THE AIR BAG CRASH ZONE SENSOR HOUSING CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THE SENSOR, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT AND ILLUMINATING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT.
IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTS, THE AIR WILL NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED IN CERTAIN TYPES OF FRONTAL CRASHES, INCREASING THE RISK OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CRASH ZONE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Campaign 04V468000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
27 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 1, 2015, fire
CLUTCH SLIPPING, HIGH RPMS, NOT RED LINING. TRANSMISSION EXPLODED CAUSING ENGINE FIRE AND BURNING MOTOR AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.
Power train, Sep 26, 2013
I HAVE CAR JM1BK12F64[XXXX], MAZDA 3, 2004, 2.0L. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE AXLE SHAFT OF MY CAR. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS CAR HAS RECALLS OR WARRANTY. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN DEALER OF PUERTO RICO BUT IT WAS AN IMPORT FROM THE USA. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Jun 24, 2011
1) DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON HIGHWAY, AT 4TH GEAR. 2) TRANSMISSION FAILED TO PUT POWER INTO THE WHEELS, CAUSING THE CAR TO DECELERATE RAPIDLY EVEN THOUGH RPM RISES WHEN THROTTLE IS PRESSED. ONLY 1ST AND 2ND GEARS ARE ABLE TO TRANSFER POWER FROM ENGINE TO WHEELS. 3) DEALER REFUSE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION, EVEN THOUGH MALFUNCTIONING OF THIS PARTICULAR PART ARE APPARENT TO MANY OF THE OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Mar 17, 2011
AFTER LESS THAN 40,000 MILES THE CLUTCH IN MY 2004 MAZDA 3 FAILED COMPLETELY AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE REPAIR BILL COST ME $1,100. *TR
Power train, Jan 25, 2011
2004 MAZDA 3 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURES. 1ST OFFENSE, IT REQUIRED A PCM VALVE/SOLENOID REPLACED., 2ND OFFENSE: TRANSMISSION LOST 4TH GEAR AND WONT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR. CAR IS IN A SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. ONLY GOES UP TO 35 MPH IF SHIFT MANUALLY AND IN 3RD GEAR, OTHERWISE IT REVS, JERKS, STALLS, ETC . *TR
Power train, Aug 20, 2010
WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION OF MY 2004 MAZDA 3 WITH ONLY 84,000KM DIED AS IT LOST THE ABILITY TO REACH 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. THIS INCIDENT NEARLY COST ME MY LIFE YET MAZDA CANADA WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. WHAT KIND OF COMPANY CAN NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AFTER SUCH A NEAR-FATAL INCIDENT. SUFFICE TO SAY THAT MAZDA WILL NEVER GET MY BUSINESS AGAIN. $3,200 LATER, I'M STILL ALIVE NO THANKS TO MAZDA. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Jul 20, 2010
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN VAN HOLLEN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE SAFETY PROBLEMS (RANDOM STALLING) WITH HIS 2004 MAZDA3 *TGW THE CONSUMER WENT TO SEARS TO PURCHASE A BATTERY THINKING THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE RANDOM STALLING, BUT WAS TOLD THE BATTERY WAS FINE AND IT APPEARED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS. THE CONSUMER THEN WENT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD DIFFERENT THINGS WERE WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS CAUSING IT TO STALL. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS, BUT WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *JB
Power train, Seat belts, Jun 5, 2010
TRANSMISIN DAADA. *TR
Power train, Structure, May 28, 2010
I HAVE A 04 MAZDA 3 W/ AUTOMATIC TRANS / DRIVING INTO PARKING LOT HEARD A LOUD NOISE , CAR QUIT MOVING , DRIVER SIDE AXLE WAS HANGING / THE ENGINE HAD ALMOST DROP TO THE FLOOR , VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP , THEY FOUND OUT THAT THE BRACKET WHICH HOLDS TRANSAXLE / ENGINE , ON DRIVER SIDE HAD BROKEN !! IT IS A ALUMINUM BRACKET WITH 3 BOLTS THAT CARRY ALL THE WEIGHT OF ENGINE / TRANSAXLE IT DAMAGED BOTH AXLE SHAFTS , CAUSED ABOUT $ 950.00 ON REPAIRS MY CONCERN IS THAT IT A VERY BAD / POOR / WEAK / DESIGN / THE GOOD THING IT HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED , IF IT WOULD HAVE BROKEN AT FREEWAY SPEED IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR DAMAGE / ACCIDENT !! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 3, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA3. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN AS AN AUTOMATIC OR A MANUAL. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH IN MANUAL MODE SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEARS, TO NO AVAIL. SHE HAD TO TAKE HER FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE GEARS TO RELEASE AND AFTERWARDS THE GEARS STARTED TO SHIFT ON THEIR OWN. SHE WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE FREEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, BUT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE OR MAKE A TURN. THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING FROM ONE LANE TO ANOTHER AND ACCELERATED THROUGH A RED LIGHT TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING WITHIN IN A FEW MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MELTED, DAMAGED THE SENSOR AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, SENSORS, AND THE GASKETS; HOWEVER, SHE HAD TO ADD OIL TO THE ENGINE BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A REPORT; HOWEVER , THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THE ENGINE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Power train, Equipment, Aug 14, 2009
MAZDA 3 ENGINE MOUNTS CONTINUE TO FAIL, AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN 4 YEARS. *TR
Power train, May 25, 2009
THE CAR CONTINUES TO MOVE WHEN PLACED IN PARK EVEN ON A FLAT SURFACE. *TR
Power train, Apr 14, 2009
I HAVE A 2004 MADZA3 WITH 73,560 MILES ON IT. THE A/T LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. SO I TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED. THE A/T LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE TECH FOUND INTERNAL FAILURE DUE TO PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID AND NEEDS REBUILT TRANSMISSION. ( $3,700 DOLLARS !) THE TECH TOLD ME THAT 2003-2004 HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HE ALSO SAID, THAT HE HAD 3 TO 4 PER WEEK, WITH CUSTOMERS COMING IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. SO MY WARRANTY RAN OUT. BUT THAT'S NOT THE PROBLEM! THE MANUFACTURER KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM, (BACK THEN) BUT DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE A RECALL ON THE 2003 AND 2004 MADZA3 TRANSMISSION!! THEY KNEW IT WILL COST THEM ALOT MONEY!! THE MANUFACTURER FIGURES THAT HALF OF THE CUSTOMERS USUALLY ONLY KEEP THEIR CAR ONLY 2 TO 3 YEARS AND TRADE IT IN. THE OTHER HALF OF THE CUSTOMERS USUALLY HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY, SO THE MANUFACTURER WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE RECALL!! THAT'S BAD BUSINESS!! I ALSO LOOK IN THE INTERNET AND FOUND ALOT OF CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM!! IF THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT DEPT. THEN PLEASE FORWARD IT TO THE RIGHT DEPT. THANK YOU *TR
Power train, Dec 29, 2008
THERE WERE NO MAJOR EVENTS THAT LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE, JUST NORMAL COMMUTING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. THE FAILURE WAS MY PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE MOUNT, WHICH FAILED COMPLETELY, 1 OCCURRENCE WHICH HAPPENED JUST OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY WINDOW. NO IMMEDIATE SIDE EFFECT BUT LONG TERM RAMIFICATIONS DUE TO STRESSES PLACED ON OTHER MOTOR/TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS STILL UNKNOWN. MOTOR MOUNT PURCHASED AND REPLACED BY MYSELF. OLD PART NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
Power train, May 1, 2008
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION/MANUAL JERKS WHEN GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND AFTER A PERIOD OF HARD DRIVING THE JERKING STOPS. THIS SHOULD NOT OCCUR IN A QUALITY VEHICLE LIKE THIS ONE, HOWEVER IT SHOULDN'T OCCUR AT ALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ME A SOLUTION TO THIS ANNOYING PROBLEM. FYI: I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND NEW FLUID ADDED HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS..HELP!!! *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Mar 18, 2008
2004 MAZDA 3, BROUGHT BRAND NEW FROM DEALER. HAD REAR BRAKE PROBLEMS, WAS FIXED DUE TO BAD EQUIPMENT/METAL USED FOR ROTORS OR THAT WAS WHAT I WAS TOLD. WARRANTY COVERED. NOW I AM AT JUST UNDER 50,000 MILES AND MY CLUTCH NEEDS REPLACED, CAUSE THEY SAID I BURNED IT UP. NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM OVER A YEAR AGO, THAT IT WHINED/SCREECHED WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, BUT ONLY WHEN IT WAS COLD. TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, JUST WARM THE VEHICLE UP FIRST. NOW A SMELL SOMETHING BURNING AND THEY KEEP SAYING IT WAS MY FAULT. I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT DRIVES IT, GOING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AND DROPPING MY KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL. VERY FRUSTRATED, BECAUSE I WAS TOLD ITS GOING TO COST OVER $1,000 TO FIX...... *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Other or unspecified, Oct 6, 2006, crash
CAR STALLS AT LIGHTS DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN ACCELERATING HAVE GONE TO BACK UP AND NO RESPONSE THEN CAR WILL JUST TAKE OFF HAVE HAD 2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO NO ACCELERATION FOG AND BUGS IN TAILLIGHTS AIRBAG LIGHT ON/OFF FOR NO REASON CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR ALL RECALLS I AM TOLD I AM NOT DRIVING THE CAR FAST ENOUGH AND AM TOLD I NEED TO CHECK MY OIL WHEN I GET GAS. TOO MANY PROBLEMS TO LIST DEALER WILL FIX BUT CANNOT DUPLICATE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS I EXPERIENCE HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER ONLY TO BE PUT ON HOLD TO LISTEN TO ZOOM ZOOM MUSIC OVER AND OVER. *JB
Power train, Sep 27, 2005
THE CAR IS A MAZDA 3 2004 WITH 18000 MILES. I BOUGHT MY WIFE THIS MAZDA 3 IN MAY OF 2005. WITH 16000 MILES. THE CAR WAS RUNNING GREAT AND IT IS A PLEASURE TO DRIVE. 3 DAYS AGO I STARTED TO HEAR A NOISE WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. SOUND IS LIKE A CLICKING SOUND THAT YOU MADE WHEN YOU PUT YOUR BASEBALL CARDS ON YOUR BICYCLE TIRE. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, THE TRANSMISSION IS BEING REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
Power train, May 2, 2005
CLUTCH SHUDDERS VIOLENTLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE. IS VERY PRONOUNCED ON HILLS, INCLINES, AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE CLUTCH IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, IE, NEED ACCELERATION TO PASS, MERGED INTO TRAFFIC ETC. AS A RESULT, THE CLUTCH WILL FAIL TO ENGAGE PROPERLY AND LEAVE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS IN VULNERABLE POSITION OF NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE WHEN EXPECTING TO. IN ADDITION, THE CAR WILL ROLL BACK WHILE ON HILLS AND GET DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO VEHICLES BEHIND IT SINCE THE CLUTCH EITHER ENGAGES RESISTANTLY OR NOT AT ALL. *AK
Power train, Seats, Mar 10, 2005
1.WHEN ADJUSTED DRIVER'S POWER SEAT CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD EVEN AFTER ADJUSTMENT SWITCH IS RELEASED, RESULTING IN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS UNINTENDED AND UNCONTROLLABLE DRIVING POSITION FOR THE DRIVER.*AK 2.WHILE IN THE 'NEUTRAL' POSITION, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS TOO EASILY MOVED UINTENTIONALLY INTO THE REVERSE POSITION RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY AND DANGEROUSLY REVERSING ITS POSITION AND MOVING REARWARD UNINTENTIONALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE GEAR SELECTOR 'GATE DESIGN' IS FAULTY.
Power train, Oct 25, 2004
1. CLUTCH REALLY HARD WHEN PUSHED. (SAT IN OTHER MAZDA 3'S AND CLUTCH WAS EXTREMLY SOFT) *DEALER INSISTED THAT I BURNED IT AND WANTS TO CHARGE ME $800 FOR LABOR. WENT TO A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AND THEY DIDN'T THINK IT WAS BURNED. GOING TO THE DEALER AGAIN.*AK 2. NOISE IN THE REAR WHEN I HAVE PEOPLE IN THE BACK. MAKES SCRAPING NOISE! GOING TO THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN. 3.WHEN ACCELERATING ON A TURN, THE FRONT OF THE CAR MAKES A BOOM BOOOM BOOM BOOM NOISE, REALLY LOUD. WENT TO A COUPLE OF FRIENDS WORKING IN SHOPS AND SAID IT'S MY STRUTS. GOING TO THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN! 4. HAD TO CHANGE TWO FRONT WINDOW REGULATORS. 5. 3RD GEAR MAKING NOISE WHEN TRYING TO ENGAGE INTO IT. GOING TO THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN. 6.BACK BRAKE ROTORS GIVING A LOT OF DUST THEN THE FRONT ROTORS. NOT SUPPOSE TO BE LIKE THAT!GOING TO THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN! 7.EXHAUST LOOSE, WHEN STEPPING ON GAS IT JAGS BACK AND FORTH. GOIN TO COMPLAIN IN OTHER WORDS NOT SATISFIED WITH CAR, ESPEASIALLY SINCE IT'S BRAND NEW.. MY CAR JUST REACHED 17000 MILES, BUT ALL THE PROBLEMS HAPPENED EARLIER
Steering, Power train, Sep 2, 2004
MY CAR HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. I HAVE A MAZDA 3 WHICH I PURCHASED IN DECEMBER. ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY CAR BEGAN HESITATING ON OCCASSION WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND THEN PUSHING THE GAS TO GO. I DID NOTICE AFTER THE THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE DID THIS THAT THE D LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD BLINKED. I DO NOT KNOW IF THEY ARE LINKED BUT IT WOULD BE ODD IF THEY WERE NOT. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE PROBLEM AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT AND HAD KEPT IT FOR 4 DAYS.AT WHICH THIS TIME THEY FOUND A BERRING HAD GONE BAD MY CAR HAS 12,600 MILES AT THIS POINT. I RECIEVED MY VEHICLE BACK AND HAD TO BRING IT BACK TWO DAYS LATER FOR THE BERRING. THE BERRING WAS REPLACED AND I WAS SENT HOME AGAIN. THEN TWO WEEKS AGO WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR MY HUSBAND HAD IT IN NETTURAL AT A LIGHT AND PLACED IN MANUAMATIC THEN DIRECTLY IN DRIVE AND THE CAR MADE A LOUD SOUND THAT MADE US WONDER IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AGAIN WE BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AGAIN THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE IT AND DECIDED TO REPLACE A DRIVE MECHANISM THAT DEALS WITH THE ELECTRONIC SHIFTING OF THE VEHICLE. AT THE SAME TIME THEY REPLACED A RECALL PART THE O2 SENSOR ON THE CAR. THEN TODAY SEPT 1ST I RECIEVE A CALL STATING A NOISE THE DEALER HEARD WHILE RUNNING MY CAR THROUGH THE CAR WASH IS THE FRONT AXLES GOING BAD. I AM AT A LOSS AND FRUSTRATED AND THE MAZDA HEADQUARTERS TELLS ME THEY CAN'T NOT DIAGONOSE THE DEALERSHIP IS CAPABLE AND THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME MAZDA HEADQUARTERS FOR REPAIR NEED TO ASSIST THEM. I HAVE PAID A LOT OF MONEY IN INSURANCE FOR RENTAL CARS AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE VEHICLE.*AK
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 30, 2004
REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT OF VEHICLE. *MR THE ENGINE AND POWER TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR AND WHILE DOING SO THERE WAS SUBSEQUENT OVER -REV OF THE ENGINE AT ANY SPEED WHILE IN 4TH GEAR WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED IN 4TH GEAR. THIS WOULD BECOME A NO-CONTROL SITUATION. *SC
Power train, May 30, 2004
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER 1,500 MILES. TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHIFT VERY HARSHLY AND ABRUPTLY FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4TH GEAR. EVENTUALLY, I COULD NOT DRIVE ABOVE 30 MPH FOR FEAR OF SHIFTING INTO 4TH GEAR. DEALER WAS INITIALLY UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. CAR WAS OUT OF SERVICE FOR A WEEK. *LA
Power train, May 19, 2004
VEHICLE OVERVIEW: MY 2004 MAZDA3 S SEDAN IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH ABS AND HAS 16" INCH FACTORY WHEELS. THE CAR HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: AFTER APROXIMATELY 1800 MILES OF DRIVING (CITY/HIGHWAY), I BEGAN TO NOTICE SLIGHT DISCOLORED BANDS ON EACH OF THE BRAKE ROTOR DISCS AT ALL FOUR WHEELS. AFTER ANOTHER 600 MILES OF DRIVING, I BEGAN TO NOTICE GROOVING IN THE PLACES WITH THE DISCOLORED BANDS. AT THIS POINT, THE GROOVE COULD BE FELT BY A FINGERTIP. THE GROOVES ARE VISIBLE ON THE OUTWARD SIDE OF EACH ROTOR. I HAVE NOT INSPECTED THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF EACH ROTOR (THE SIDE THAT WOULD BE CLOSEST TO THE VECHICLE CHASSIS) TO VERIFY GROOVING ON EITHER SIDE. EFFORTS TO CORRECT: I HAVE REQUESTED THAT MY DEALERSHIP INSPECT THE BRAKES, AND THEY HAVE ALSO NOTED THE GROOVING. HOWEVER, THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS OTHER THAN RE-SURFACING EACH ROTOR. THIS WILL PREMATURELY WEAR MY BRAKING COMPONENTS, SO I DECLINED THIS OFFER. ALSO, SIMPLY RESURFACING THE BRAKE ROTORS DOES NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF WHAT IS CAUSING THE GROOVING IN THE FIRST PLACE. OUTCOME: BRAKING POWER AND STABILITY REMAIN UNAFFECTED IN SPITE OF THE GROOVES. HOWEVER, THE LONGEVITY OF THE BRAKES IS DIMINISHED. I AM UNCERTAIN WHAT THE OUTCOME WOULD BE WITH CONTINUED GROOVING. THIS IS A FORESHADOWING TO PREMATURE BRAKE COMPONENT FAILURE.