I was one of the first people to get the 3 when it was relaesed in America. I got it in late january of this year, and since i have put just over 6000 miles on it (i drive alot) But its also been in the shop 4 times and had the following replaced:

- Air bag / seat belt pre tensioner module
- Crash sensor ( Im not even sure what that is)
- Purge valve
- Mass airflow sensor

The last three problems all happened within the last month, has anyone else had this these troubles or is it just me?

 

I have two Mazda 3's and one was in the shop for that Crash sensor thing. And the other one had to get the fuel pump replaced already.

 

the crash sensor is going to be replaced on every 3. Apparently the machine that installed them in the factory tightened them too much causing the air bag light to stay on

 

you have to expect problems with a new model. just hope the all occur while under warenty

 

Ive had a CEL 2wice and my synchos have went bad in 3rd gear. Mazda is giving me a new 3rd so its ok. and the CEL was because it was running rich.

 

I just got it back from the dealer. Got about 600 miles on it and had to take it in for

rattle in passenger door
broken auto down window switch (on order)

Not bad, but I was hoping to go at least a month before the econocar rattles hit me. Anyway, I'm coming from a 2002 WRX, so I'm use to rattles

 

Got it back from the dealer and they fixed the rattle. One of the first times I've had a dealer actually solve a rattle problem.

It goes in next week for the autodown window switch.

The leather is starting to shed the backing through the holes. I'm hoping this doesn't mean it's going to look like crap in a short while.

Also, I might have an issue with one of the Xenons. It seems to shake when hitting bumps and has a dark streak.

I'm hoping these are all solvable problems and after these it will be smooth sailing. It's a pain in the *** having to take a new car back to the dealer so often. I'm being very patient at this point.

 

We have almost 10,000 miles on our 3S 5 door and have had 5 check engine lights, the 5th time being today right after we got it back from its 4th CEL.

Unfortunately, we may be invoking the lemon laws in order to get a refund. We really like the car a lot but don't feel it fair for us to have to go to the dealership so often. It's too bad because we looked at a lot of cars and most fell well short of what this car offered.

 

Day one of my new 3 and when I picked the car up (yesterday) I had the "threads" poking through the holes in the leather. But I still LOVE the car.

 

I never had any problems when I bought my P5 the first year that it came out...

I expected the same quality from my new Mazda 3 to my dissapointment, I'm peeved on a couple items.

The leather in my car is a little on the cheap side.... some threads are poking through and it feels really dry.

I'm also concerned about my brakes. I find they squeak really really bad, but only when I throw my car into reverse.

Other than that, the car is great.

 

4000km on the odometer and only a couple of problems

- driver window doesn't auto lower very well
- too much brake dust on the rear wheels
- headlight shine too far ahead I think (xenons)


Other than that it's a great little car I like the 3 way better than the Protoge I had.

peace....Pete

 

Hey jackwrx
Did you get your xenons fixed. Mine shakes over bumps too. What did they do?

peace...Pete

 

i'm wondering if ford had anything to do with all these problems.
is ford slowly taking over quality control in mazda?

 

You "new model" P5 had already been in production for 3 years overseas, and the 3rd gen protege was already in production 3 years in the US...the P5 is virtually no different than a sedan, its just a hatch...no other real differences except the bumper...so it's hardly a fair comparison

 

You guys bash Ford too much...Ford took over quality control for Jaguar and VASTLY improved quality....the Mazda 3 is built in Japan....so no Ford does not oversee quality processes..if anything Ford borrows from Mazda and Volvo in such issues..there are always little problems when a new model is designed from the ground up and released...