VERY DISSAPOINTED IN MY MAZDA-RUST [Archive]

cynthia

09-14-2010, 11:43 AM

I'm was very dissapointed to find rust appearing on the rear wheel wells of my 2005Mazda 3 GT Sport Sedan .

I immediately took it to the dealer, who took 2 month to get back to me to approve the rust warranty and to fix it.
It then took an additional 4 and a half months to get a loaner car, and was clearly made to feel bad that it was "your choice" not to bring it in for repair sooner.
Well, I need a car, I have 2 jobs, and need to pick up my niece from school etc..

I mailed off a letter to the President of Mazda, Donald Romano, and he didn't care to acknowledge me.
I emailed www.mazdacanada.ca 3x, with no reply, even though they say they will reply in 5-10 days.

I finally got a beast of a loaner mini van, and my car is now being repaired.

I don't want this car anymore, even though I have loved it since the moment I bought it. It has low kms, and has been fine, but the rust will surely come back, lowering the value of the car, and making it harder for me to sell in the future.

I will sell it as soon as I get it back next week.

I could have traded it in with another Mazda, but their poor service made up my mind.

I think I will buy a Volvo! Better Service, Better Quality, even though I will have to spend more up front.

If Mazda Canada would like to contact me: c_ashkar@yahoo.com, but I'm pretty sure they don't care.
[

MPS

09-14-2010, 11:47 AM

thats Mazda Canada's modo
we just dont care after we have your money !
this is my last Mazda also i have a 2008.5 thats showing rust also
and the car was never winter or rain driven

cynthia

09-14-2010, 11:50 AM

Never again will I get a Mazda..........they were so blessed to have such great growth in their industry, and I'm sure they will go down, due to poor customer service, poor recycled metal used for the car. The design is nice, the quality is poor.

poke65

09-14-2010, 11:56 AM

I know the feeling it took a little over a month for MOC to okay my rust fix on my 04. I took it in they said it would be a week (3 door pillars and 3rd brake light). I phoned 8 days later and they said they were waiting for MOC to okay the work ( rust was worse then they thought both back doors needed replacing). So 2 weeks 4 days later they phoned me and I get to pick my car up at 1:30 this afternoon. I am not impressed. PS do not get your work done at Agincourt Mazda they are worse then a joke.......

SKYMP3

09-14-2010, 12:08 PM

Which dealership you went to? I'm surprise that there is a dealership out there that's worse than Ontario Mazda.
My story is simialr than yours except mine is a 07 Speed3 and Ontario Mazda took 1 month to have the repair approved after a phone call to the GM of the dealer. Then they deny to get a loaner for me even my car is well within the first 36 months and I also have MAP for 48m.

I went to QEW Mazda and they approve the warranty fix within 1 week and get me a free rental at Mazda's cost.

ST3ALTH

09-14-2010, 12:14 PM

Wow i actually love Ontario Mazda, such friendly people and great service. Mind you i have never had to deal with rust issues.

RECREATIONAL_ANXIETY

09-14-2010, 12:24 PM

we just dont care after we have your money !

Unfortunately that's true of most companies that sell product, even if they seem different.

MPS

09-14-2010, 12:28 PM

not true company's like apple, Microsoft they care
Mazda is like a selfish child

Unfortunately that's true of most companies that sell product, even if they seem different.

SKYMP3

09-14-2010, 12:51 PM

Mind you i have never had to deal with rust issues.

Every Mazda owners will get their turns....ROFL!!

ST3ALTH

09-14-2010, 12:52 PM

I dont have a bit of rust on my car. My car is from the states i dont know if that makes any difference. But i make sure to wash and wax and rust proof and still not a spot of rust.

MPS

09-14-2010, 12:54 PM

i take the same care of my car and some
and still rusting

I dont have a bit of rust on my car. My car is from the states i dont know if that makes any difference. But i make sure to wash and wax and rust proof and still not a spot of rust.

ST3ALTH

09-14-2010, 12:56 PM

Hmm thats weird. Well i hope that i don't get any rust.

KenYork

09-14-2010, 01:01 PM

Agincourt, Ontario, Erin Mills Mazda are affiliated dealerships. Most of the body/paint work is sent to Agincourt as it's their in-house shop dealing with Mazda's.

cynthia

09-14-2010, 01:37 PM

I wish I would have known, I would have gone to another dealership.
427 Auto Collision is fixing the rust, and I know they are one of the best around.
Westowne Mazda has usually been ok for oil service etc.., but definitely not for this rust issue.
And the guy that answered the toll free Mazda Customer service was so rude, I wish I knew his name.
I will still sell it, as I have lost my trust in/for Mazda.

cynthia

09-14-2010, 01:38 PM

maybe they don't use the same recycled metal anymore, so hopefully you will be fine.

gotak

09-14-2010, 02:29 PM

maybe they don't use the same recycled metal anymore, so hopefully you will be fine.

Recycled vs non-recycled means nothing.

The rusting most likely is due to bad galvanic dipping process or just lack of it all together since the galvanic dip is suppose to provide sacrificial metal if the coating is scratched. Should have been easily enough for them to have fixed.

cynthia

09-14-2010, 02:37 PM

Zoom Zoom Boy

09-14-2010, 02:54 PM

well, i'm no expert on metals, or their process.....that's what i was told by a few people in the car industry......all i know, is it could have been avoided, it wasn't, even though it has extended warranty, rust proofing regularly, etc....

Buying an extended warranty doesn't make a car any more or any less, rust proof.
How much rust do you have? You didn't actually say how significant it was.
Did you buy the car new or used?
Has the car been in an accident previously and had bodywork performed?
Where did you take your car for rustproofing and how often?
Have you ever waxed your car and how often do you wash it in the winter and does that washing include an underbody wash?
Is your car stored outside in winter or stored in a heated or non-heated garage?
All of these things can greatly affect rust...

It does sound like you have had a terrible customer service experience and Mazda Canada not acknowledging your complaints is simply poor business practice.

However, it is not terribly uncommon for a car to start showing minor signs of rust after 5 years in this country and province. We use a lot of salt on the roads here.

Mr Fatty

09-14-2010, 02:55 PM

I bought my 2005 Mazda second hand, how do i go about claiming warranty for rust? what's covered? Mine has quite a bit of rust :(

I have to say my 1998 Honda Civic has far LESS rust than my Mazda... noticeably less.

hastiej

09-14-2010, 03:20 PM

My 08 only has rust on the wipper blade arms.. no where else, and I've had nothing but friendly service when needing to contact Mazda Canada for something. Sorry your expereince has tarnished your Mazda days :(

my only other insight would be, I hate rogers, why, I had a bad expereince with them and I will never use there service again... does that make them horrible company.. no... even if they are devil.. in my eyes.. just sayin..

antifuse

09-14-2010, 03:21 PM

not true company's like apple, Microsoft they care

Ahahaha - no. Those companies just have good PR engines to make you THINK that they care. But they're still all about the bottom line, as every successful company is. Apple didn't launch their "free case" program out of the goodness of their hearts, they did it to mitigate the iPhone 4 antenna PR disaster. And now that the hubbub from that is mostly done with, they are ending the program.

Shawn

09-14-2010, 03:59 PM

cubguy

09-14-2010, 04:03 PM

wow. well this is a lil disheartening. I get my first Mazada tomorrow. I am having it life long rustproofed....did you do that as well?

JSI

09-14-2010, 04:10 PM

Just do what I am doing, keep it as a winter beater and get a nice car. I will never own another Mazda again.

Pokey

09-14-2010, 04:54 PM

Just do what I am doing, keep it as a winter beater and get a nice car. I will never own another Mazda again.

Not everyone can afford to keep a 2005 as a 'beater' :(

aris

09-14-2010, 04:55 PM

I dont have a bit of rust on my car. My car is from the states i dont know if that makes any difference. But i make sure to wash and wax and rust proof and still not a spot of rust.

My borthers wife's car is 08 and hers has had rust repaired 2 times and hers is waxed regualy and krowned yearly

MPS

09-14-2010, 05:22 PM

hey they still did it to shut ppl up
Mazda wont even return emails

Ahahaha - no. Those companies just have good PR engines to make you THINK that they care. But they're still all about the bottom line, as every successful company is. Apple didn't launch their "free case" program out of the goodness of their hearts, they did it to mitigate the iPhone 4 antenna PR disaster. And now that the hubbub from that is mostly done with, they are ending the program.

mido

09-14-2010, 07:46 PM

Its pretty sad, i had high expectations before i bought it, but my first and last mazda for sure. Ive had it for approx 1 year so far. Im going to use it for the winter and get rid of it. Compared to many cars ive had ( 1992 honda accord, 05 honda civic, 2002 toyota corolla) and my current 2006 jetta, i have to say that mazda really does use cheap parts for sure. Service here in Ottawa aint that good here either, except for dilawri bank street mazda, they are the "better" dealer in town. :(

DumpInfo

09-14-2010, 08:03 PM

I know exactly what your all talking about. I was in the exact same shoes when I bought my car and then Mazda does this lame as rust fix and the crap returns. I did mods which only resulted in selling it all and naming my ride the beater. Now I could really give a rats ass about it. I don't expect Mazda to get any future sales on me nor my sister which owns a cx7.

cynthia

09-15-2010, 10:31 AM

Hi, I had my car rust proofed at Rust check every year, and the car was protected with rust proofing when first purchased. I drive less about 8 000km a year, and park my car in a heated garage. I wash my car regularly, and wax it a couple of times a year. My worry is, that even though it is being repaired by a good place, I'm worried that from all that I'm hearing about the Mazda rust situation, that it will come back to haunt me in a year or two, so is it not best to sell it now? 64 000kms, and in great shape otherwise. minor rust will grow fast, as it spread quite a bit since last March when I first noticed it, and it may be slowly creeping in in places I haven't seen yet........I wish I didn't have to deal with this issue, as I've only had the car for 3 years, and was hoping to keep it for 10!

cynthia

09-15-2010, 10:36 AM

Yes, the original owner had that done. What year is the car you're getting? if it is 2010 or 2011, maybe you will be lucky as they may have improved the material used...........I wish you all the best.

cynthia

09-15-2010, 10:38 AM

GO ASAP to the dealer! I think they extended the warranty by a year for everyone, so gooooo!! You have till the end of the year. Go to a good dealer, the VIN number is all you need, it doesn't matter if it's second hand.

Punkrockjohn

12-03-2010, 10:32 AM

reading these posts really scares me, hopefully i avoid rust for as long as possible

Or3

01-15-2011, 02:38 AM

Same here. Rust issues after 4 years (supposed to be covered under warranty) but 3 dealerships and Mazda Canada hung me out to dry: babbled something about some Western Regional Service Manager who was supposed to come and look at all these rusting Mazda3's but they never called and he never showed up. The dealership said without actual perforation there will be no coverage, too bad so sad for me.
Some die hard victims of the shitty Mazda paint job almost took Mazda to court and Mazda took care of them - so the squeaky wheel got the grease. After visiting all these dealerships, calling and sending letters to Mazda with no reply I gave up.
I swore to never ever touch this car again and recently kept my promise (bought a Toyota instead, mind you they have had their own issues but at least their service level, is much better).
I actually explained to Mazda that this will be the last Mazda I buy and I will warn all my friends and relatives (happy customer shares his satisfaction with 2-3 friends. Unhappy customer shares his frustration with 10-12 people) but they could not care less. The dealership is still "killing trees" by sending me all these invitations to useless new car sales events and promotions as if I would touch a Mazda with a six foot pole..:rolleyes

All I can say is stay away from this company and remember that there is a reason for their business culture, or lack thereof: The buck always stops at the top.

Maybe their motto is "suckers never cease, they just rotate..."
Don't be a sucker!

dj_adamix

01-15-2011, 05:24 AM

i gotapproved for that 1 extra year. got my car back today with no rust, new back fenders:)

sol_searchin

01-16-2011, 09:27 PM

I wouldn't say it's the paint, it's more of the cheap metal and poor galvanization. I'm in the same boat as Or3, last Mazda for me also! There nice car's to drive but poor quality.

Coaster

01-18-2011, 11:22 PM

Sorry, but every car I have ever owned I've kept until it was over 7 years old. Every one of them showed some rust after 5 years & was a rustbuck by the time it was 7 years old, except one.
I was absolutely shocked when I learned that Mazda was warranty repairing 6 year old rusty 3s, so I had my 04 hatch repaired this past summer. Make no mistake I'm not happy to have a rusty car, but for me anyway all of the other cars I've owned I didn't really care about after they were 7 years old anyway. I just find a freshly washed 3 still looks so good even after 7 years & the rusty fenders were just like acne on a beautiful woman. I do know how some of you feel, from my own experience I won't ever buy a Volkswagen, Infiniti, or Nissan ever again. So to each their own. Also if you ask around it wouldn't take long before you found people who hate Apple & Microsoft in the same manner. So for me anyway the pluses far outweigh the minuses, but I don't know if I will buy a new Mazda either, I just find the new ones too ugly.

BTW the the only 7+ year old car that I had that wasn't a rustbuck was a 91 Mazda Protege

thetim

01-20-2011, 02:00 AM

I just find a freshly washed 3 still looks so good even after 7 years & the rusty fenders were just like acne on a beautiful woman. I do know how some of you feel, from my own experience I won't ever buy a Volkswagen, Infiniti, or Nissan ever again. So to each their own. Also if you ask around it wouldn't take long before you found people who hate Apple & Microsoft in the same manner. So for me anyway the pluses far outweigh the minuses, but I don't know if I will buy a new Mazda either, I just find the new ones too ugly.

I thought VWs were supposed to be fairly decent for (not) rusting? Or at least, recent ones? Untrue?

Since you've had so many brands of car, which brands do you found gave the best overall service?

Thanks!

Or3

02-02-2011, 10:56 AM

The issue was not the rust alone, which happened 4 years after buying the car.
The issue was customer service from both the Mazda dealerships in Alberta and Mazda Canada. Back than when not too many upset clients "unionized" to get Mazda's attention, they politely hung me out to dry.
Heck, if Mazda would even offer to split the cost of repair back than I would not be posting here...

They chose a short-sighted business strategy which backfires.
They already lost my business, my family and friend's business for good.

Issues happen in any company. It is how you resolve them which makes a difference.

taxinjazz

07-28-2011, 07:18 PM

I just bought a 2011 Gunnmetal Blue 3 s Sport. I'm thinking about getting it rust proofed after reading these posts. I keep my cars a long time and switched from a 1998 Jetta that started to rust after 10 years. I don't want any rust!

squall458

07-28-2011, 10:50 PM

WASH your car often, especially in the wheel wells and annually rust proof. No guarantees in life though.

Cosmo77

07-28-2011, 10:50 PM

I just read this whole thread and realized that Cynthia must be a great DISAPOINTMENT to her grammar and spelling teacher.

taxinjazz

07-29-2011, 07:13 AM

I'm very dissapointed in everything I have been reading about rust on the Mazda's. Why would anyone buy one again if they rust after a few years. Wish I had known before I bought but couldn't beat the 0% interest. And I needed a new car. Looks like I'm going to have to baby this car and keep an eye on it for rust. If I see rust after a few years I'm going to sell it. I think rust drops the value a lot.

taxinjazz

07-29-2011, 08:20 AM

DualSoul

07-29-2011, 11:29 AM

Flagrum_3

07-29-2011, 02:33 PM

I just read this whole thread and realized that Cynthia must be a great DISAPOINTMENT to her grammar and spelling teacher.

You just spelled disappointment wrong.

Anyways on topic; This is by far no remedy to the Mazda rust issue but in my experience the best thing to do if you buy brand new is 1~Head straight to Krown, minutes after you pick her up, don't wait.2~Clay bar and wax her asap and then clay her twice a year afterward.3~Wash and quick wax weekly paying special attention to problem areas.4~ Take care of chips asap.

Like I said this won't guarantee your car won't ever rust but following this method will definately fight it.I've followed the above the past 6+ years and there is not a spec of rust on my car.Even underneath still looks new...I can't explain it, as I know some people have had their cars rust-proofed and still rust shows, so maybe it has a little more to do with the 'regular' maintenance and how well it's done.

_3

zmz3

07-29-2011, 02:39 PM

You just spelled disappointment wrong.

Anyways on topic; This is by far no remedy to the Mazda rust issue but in my experience the best thing to do if you buy brand new is 1~Head straight to Krown, minutes after you pick her up, don't wait.2~Clay bar and wax her asap and then clay her twice a year afterward.3~Wash and quick wax weekly paying special attention to problem areas.4~ Take care of chips asap.

Like I said this won't guarantee your car won't ever rust but following this method will definately fight it.I've followed the above the past 6+ years and there is not a spec of rust on my car.Even underneath still looks new...I can't explain it, as I know some people have had their cars rust-proofed and still rust shows, so maybe it has a little more to do with the 'regular' maintenance and how well it's done.

_3

I agree with taking care of stone chips.

I had few rather large ones, and because I didn't actually maintain them or fix them right away, bubbling started on the roof [exactly around the stone chip]. Nothing large, but still noticeable enough.

No rust in rear wheel wells for met yet. Model 2007 sedan.

Flagrum_3

07-29-2011, 02:42 PM

I have been doing reserch on the Zebart rust system. Does anyone know how this effects the warranty on a new car. I called the dealership and of course they would not tell me that it did. Has anyone ever had to deal with this?

Do not use ZIEBART they use more of a tar type coating, which is not good.Believe me you only want to contemplate an oil-type spray, like Krown or RustCheck as it will creep into crevices and dissipate moisture.The rubber/Tar or wax types will not do either...your call. (I researched this thoroughly).

_3

aris

07-29-2011, 02:53 PM

Flagrum_3

07-29-2011, 03:10 PM

flagrum_3 (Ron I think lol) I don't see how wax will prevent rust?

My sister inlaws 08 is going in for rust repair for it's second time on Tuesday. Her car has been Krowned since new and I personally being waxing the car 2 times a year and it still rusted.

Your missing the point Aris, waxing will not prevent rust directly but it's the regular care that will help fight it.Wax will put an extra layer of protection over the clearcoat though.Also as I said I can't explain why some cars still rust after being sprayed, so it may have to do with 'regular care' and proper regular care.To me waxing twice a year is not nearly sufficient.OR it may be I just got lucky and when it was built, my car got good sheetmetal and a proper paint process, who knows? But everything I mentioned, you cannot say will hurt.

_3

taxinjazz

07-29-2011, 03:43 PM

Thanks a lot for this info. I will look into Krown or RustCheck. Not sure it's here in the States but will check. Still afraid it might void my warranty. Anyone know anything about that?

taxinjazz

07-29-2011, 03:50 PM

OK, just checked and Krown and RustCheck are not in the States.

Flagrum_3

07-29-2011, 07:27 PM

OK, just checked and Krown and RustCheck are not in the States.

Well you must have some other Brand there.Maybe try going to the Krown site and asking there if they can steer you to a comparable Service...it's worth a shot.

Oh and as for the warranty; here in Canada undercoating the vehicle WILL definitely NOT void the warranty, I would assume the same goes in the States.

_3

krimsalt

10-27-2011, 08:51 AM

mazda changed the 3's metal quality in 2007, and the 2008.5 models. so the new ones shouldn't rust as bad. Problem is, when rust starts, its hard to catch and fully remove. basic can of asphault undercoating and chassis-rust-protection-oil at canadian tire, spend 50$ on a few cans and spray the underbody, then u never have to worry about rust
also, apparently it doesnt matter if the car was made in america or japan for rust

aris

10-27-2011, 10:03 AM

nitsuji

10-27-2011, 07:30 PM

I've got an 08.5 and it's sneaking on me. Luckily i caught it before winter...

http://www.jeetsin.com/images/fenderrust.jpg
http://www.jeetsin.com/images/fenderrust2.jpg

edit: False alarm! It was bothering me so much after posting these photos I went otuside and scrubbed it down. Looks like it was melted tire or something. Anyways, keep vigilant with looking for rust and if you want that extra protection, spray a coat of plastidip in your wheel wells and fenders this winter.

zoomahh

01-21-2012, 10:43 PM

I got the rust module with my 07 and have had "0" rust....Drive my car in all weather 24/7/365....cost an extra grand but worth it IMHO :cool

rukus

01-22-2012, 07:43 PM

I got the rust module with my 07 and have had "0" rust....Drive my car in all weather 24/7/365....cost an extra grand but worth it IMHO :cool

https://whyweprotest.net/asset-proxy/abbbb1154889281100560fecea2f79d78cc4c211/687474703a2f2f63646e2e7374796c65666f72756d2e6e6574 2f342f34612f34616439306230385f4e6f742d737572652d69 662d736572696f7573322e6a706567/http://cdn.styleforum.net/4/4a/4ad90b08_Not-sure-if-serious2.jpeg

shutterbug

01-22-2012, 09:53 PM

I got the rust module with my 07 and have had "0" rust....Drive my car in all weather 24/7/365....cost an extra grand but worth it IMHO :cool

I've got some ocean front property in Arizona I wanna sell you.

sube

01-24-2012, 01:53 PM

I got the rust module with my 07 and have had "0" rust....Drive my car in all weather 24/7/365....cost an extra grand but worth it IMHO :cool

Those modules are a gigantic rip off. My friend has an 05 Honda Civic, and he had one of those things installed. I think he has the rustiest 05 Civic on the road. The bottoms of all 4 doors are rusted, as well he has rust showing in the seams of the front strut towers. I half believe the rust module is accelerating the rust
There are all sorts of topics relating to how useless these things are.
Oh and you got royally ripped off for a grand. Dealer cost on those things is around 125 bucks.

Pat.