Brake repair and warranty

[rob_444]

So the other day I returned home from a vacation, during which time my 2010 Mazda 3 GS sedan was sitting in my underground parking lot. Started the car ok but when started to move forward heard a huge sudden grinding noise from front passenger wheel area, and then constant thump-thump noises coming from same area while driving.

Immediately took car in to the dealer, and turns out while it was parked the brake somehow fused shut and didn't release properly, so it was severely damaged when tried to drive. Ended up being charged $410 + tax from Mazda of Toronto to get new front brakes/pads put on.

I asked if this was covered by warranty and they said no, and since I needed the repair done asap I couldn't argue. But the car only has 37,000 km on it so this isn't just normal wear and tear. This was caused through no fault of my own and not doing any actions contrary to what's in the manual. It's not uncommon to leave cars for a few weeks so to me this can't be anything other than a manufacturing or installation flaw in my front brakes. So any advice if I could be successful contacting Mazda directly for a compensation/warranty claim?

Thanks!

[SomeGuy]

Doubt it...they are not responsible for environmental conditions of the car. Brake calipers seize, you driving anywhere with the clunking/grinding noise does more damage. Suck it up and be thankful it wasn't thousands.

[rob_444]

Doubt it...they are not responsible for environmental conditions of the car. Brake calipers seize, you driving anywhere with the clunking/grinding noise does more damage. Suck it up and be thankful it wasn't thousands.

The damage happened the split second I drove the car forward even 1 foot. No warning or other indications. Only place I drove was directly to the dealership a few km away, but the damage was done in a split second.

And the environmental condition was that it was sitting in a climate controlled underground parking lot with no exposure to the elements.

I guess i'm questioning how a normal working brake system can be damaged so severely while a car is parked. I've never experienced this in 20 years of driving, so am really wondering what the reason is this happened and how it could be something other than a fault of the brake itself.

[SomeGuy]

By driving it every day you were keeping a part that was ready to seize from actually seizing. Let it sit for a while the corrosion and rust and gunk whatever hardens up and becomes solid, doesn't take too long.

That said, I'm kind of surprised the brakes destroyed themselves...granted I wouldn't expect them fixed under warranty...but usually a couple applications of the brakes will clean up whatever gunk has built up on the pads/rotors.

It's unfortunate you don't have pictures of the condition of the rotors when the damage was gone, would be interesting to see.

[SonicBoy]

Are you sure that it was the front brakes that were replaced?

I suspect when you parked your car, you applied the parking brake?

If so, it would be the rear brakes that could possibly seize to the rotors but I find that odd since you say that it's in a climate controlled under ground.

At worst, you would have heard the clunk of the pads separating from the rotor as you moved forward.

Did you have regular brake service at 20, 000 KM where they lube the sliders and service your brakes? With the harsh salt used here in the GTA, that service is recommended at least once a year if you don't drive your vehicle all that much.

[rob_444]

Are you sure that it was the front brakes that were replaced?

I suspect when you parked your car, you applied the parking brake?

If so, it would be the rear brakes that could possibly seize to the rotors but I find that odd since you say that it's in a climate controlled under ground.

At worst, you would have heard the clunk of the pads separating from the rotor as you moved forward.

Did you have regular brake service at 20, 000 KM where they lube the sliders and service your brakes? With the harsh salt used here in the GTA, that service is recommended at least once a year if you don't drive your vehicle all that much.

The parking brake wan't applied. It's a flat parking surface so normally I don't use the parking brake.

And am definitely sure which brake it was. Sound was loud and unmistakable where it was coming from. Also i've had all regular services done, most recent big one being the 2 yr/48K one (even though only have 37K on it).

Anyways I found out that brakes are considered friction parts and are only under warranty for 1 year/20,000 km. Had this same situation happened within this time they would have made a warranty claim for it.

Another explanation they gave was that if it was raining right before I parked (can't remember if it was) it would expedite any rust forming during the time parked. Guess next time i leave for a while... i'll need to get a buddy to drive my car back and forth a couple feet once a week!