7.7
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $1,100
- Average Mileage:
- 89,050 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 6 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (4 reports)
- replace subframe (2 reports)
My car was drifting at first and thought it could be it needed an alignment , but after a couple days I realized there was something really wrong so took it in to be looked at. The garage told me the subframe had rusted away from the main frame and insisted I Do Not Drive this car. I did drive it very slowly about 2 miles to a friends house then had it towed home at a later date. I had bought this car used and never had any issues with it paid it off early and was so happy it is a beautiful car, I took good care of it didn't drive it in winter and kept it clean I just don't get it. My daughter had a Mazda 3, 2010 and she is has had her car into 3 different shops who have all done the same thing balance the tires and she is now beyond shaking she is now having drifting problems hmmm is this the same problem, she is too scared to drive it now since my issues and can't sell it like that now we have 2 cars sitting in the yard "lawn ornaments" what the heck. I am not fixing it because the garage guy told me it will be expensive and will probably only rust some place else. I guess Mazda is off my buying list for now.
- screwed, Syracuse, NY, US
I drove this car at 70 MPH on the highway the day before the frame cracked; my husband was driving it when the wheel went sideways at 20 MPH. We were told the frame was too damaged to tow without signing a hold harmless document. When the car was at the mechanic and up on the rack we saw that the frame was extremely rusted and cracked in several places.
When we called Mazda we were told it was probably due to "weather conditions" and salt on the roads!!!! They said they did not have a recall on the frame but that they were on back order for 6 months. Curious !!!!
We had to buy a used frame from the south which took 6 weeks to arrive. MAJOR inconvenience.
It cost us $1100.00 to have the car fixed. MAJOR upset !!!!
Don't know how they can deny that the quality of the steel was not up to standard and could be destroyed so easily. The car has 141K and in almost perfect condition. There is no rust anywhere else on the car but the frame. Guess the rust was only attracted to the frame.
- Sue P., Pittsburgh, US
Purchased the car used, took it to be safetied, was told then shown the subframe was rusted through and needs to be replaced. I don't understand how an integral part of a car can rust out faster than the body.
- Trevor C., Everett, ON, Canada
Purchased this car in 2014 used. I didn't notice it until I drove it off the lot. Well used vehicles come with no warranty as is. Yay me.
- Misty G., Round Rock, TX, US
This is of great concern and could be very expensive to repair. May have to sell the car which, otherwise, is in very good condition.
- gerrynj, Sea Isle City, NJ, US
click to see larger images
In August 6th, 2018, I was driving back from work with my 4y old son in Quebec City at 50 Km/h. When I want to stop at the red-light I sensed a significant loss of steering control to the right and I was completely shocked because I was just about to hit a cyclist. And my son was frustrated too. Luckily nothing bad happened.
But from there I wasn't able to drive correctly, I held the steering wheel to 60 degrees to the left while going at 25 Km/h to be able to drive straight and get back to my home.
The following day I drove my car to the nearest garage, and to my surprise, the guy told me that the subframe at the right near to the wheel is completely corroded and the steering rack was separated from its mounts causing the steering loss.
The garage owner told that he called Mazda to ask for a new subframe for me, but they told him that they don't have it in stock and they have already 5 more people with the same problem waiting for that.
Know that I do rust check and treatment before every winter.
I am very thankful to God that nothing bad happened while I was traveling with my family during our holidays.
Mazda should recognize this as a serious and very dangerous defect, since it is happening for a lot of people.
- Sidi amine B., Quebec, QC, Canada