Recalls: Mazda BK Mazda3
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Mazda BK Mazda3
2007 Mazda BK Mazda3: engine and transmission could drop
In February 2008, a recall was issued for Mazda BK Mazda3 Diesel variants manufactured from 30 June 2007 to 6 September 2007 and in the VIN range JM0BK10R200366179 to JM0BK10R200376301. In these vehicles, a bolt securing the engine and transmission assembly to one of its mounting points may loosen over time. If the bolt were to come out or break, the engine and transmission assembly may drop, allowing the alternator pulley to contact the body and causing it to break and the engine to stall (PRA 2008/9830).
2008-09 Mazda BK Mazda3: windscreen wiper may not work
In August 2011, a recall was issued for Mazda BK Mazda3 vehicles manufactured from 8 January 2008 to 19 February 2009 and in the VIN range JM0BK10*200395304 to JM0BK10*200469128. In these vehicles, the ground terminal of the windscreen wiper motor may have been bent during assembly, causing a loss of the electrical ground connection which could result in the wiper motor not functioning (PRA 2011/12765).
2003-06 Mazda BK Mazda3: horn pad logo replacement
In September 2021, recall campaign R202102 was issued for 2003-06 Mazda BK Mazda3 vehicles. In these vehicles, the plastic horn pad logo may become brittle and fracture during an airbag deployment. During airbag deployment, plastic fragments of the shattered logo could be propelled and hit vehicle occupants, causing serious injury. To fix, a Mazda dealer was to replace the horn cover. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-001663.
Problems and faults: Mazda BK Mazda3
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
2006-08 Mazda BK Mazda3 with automatic transmission: loss of transmission fluid
In 2010, Mazda UK issued a ‘non-code action’ for Mazda BK Mazda3 vehicles that were manufactured from 6 January 2006 to 11 December 2008. For affected Mazda Mazda3 vehicles, the automatic transmission could experience a loss of transmission fluid (NCA/2010/014).
2007-08 Mazda BK Mazda3: power steering may fail
In 2010, Mazda UK issued a ‘non-code action’ for Mazda BK Mazda3 vehicles that were manufactured from 2 April 2007 to 30 November 2008. For affected Mazda Mazda3 vehicles, the power steering could fail (NCA/2010/023); no further information was provided.
In the USA, a corresponding recall was issued in August 2010 for Mazda BK Mazda3 vehicles that were manufactured from 2 April 2007 to 30 November 2008 (NHTSA Campaign Number 10V374000). In these vehicles, rust could form inside the high-pressure pipe on the power steering system during manufacturing due to improper processing. These rust particles could detach from the pipe walls and enter the motorised power steering pump, causing damage to the pump bearings. As a result, gear lubrication could be reduced and this could increase load on the motor. If this occurred, the power steering system could enter its ‘fail safe’ mode to prevent overheating, resulting in illumination of the power steering warning lamp and the motorised pump to stop. When the motorised pump stopped, there would be a loss of power steering assistance – this would impair the driver’s ability to steer the vehicle and increase the risk of a collision. The recalled Mazda BK Mazda3 vehicles had VINs in the following ranges –
- 2007MY: JM1 BK**** 71 742201 to JM1 BK**** 71 774382;
- 2008MY: all 2008MY vehicles; and,
- 2009MY: JM1 BK**** 91 187372 to JM1 BK**** 91 257722.
The Mazda3 MPS (sold in the USA as the Mazdaspeed3) was not part of this recall since it did not have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).
Mazda BK Mazda3: VVT ticking noise
In December 2011, Mazda USA issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 01-010/11) for Mazda BK.II Mazda3 vehicles with 2.0-litre LF-VE engines that were produced prior to 1 December 2007 and had VINs lower than JM1BK******864673. In these vehicles, there may be a loud ticking noise from the variable valve timing (VVT) actuator when the engine was started – this was caused by:
- The lock pin of the variable valve timing actuator not fully engaging; or,
- A worn lock pin hole.
To fix, the cylinder head had to be removed and the VVT actuator replaced. Subsequently, heat treatment was applied to the area around the hole of the variable valve timing rotor lock pin to prevent this from happening.
2004-09 BK Mazda3: cracked dashboard
In December 2009, Mazda USA issued Service Bulletin 09-070/09 for 2004-09 Mazda BK Mazda3 vehicles because a crack may appear in the centre of the dashboard. According to the service bulletin, the crack in the dashboard was due to ‘stretching tension during production’ and could become visible when combined with temperature changes. As per the service bulletin, the dashboard was to be repaired by replacing the cracked panel of the instrument panel with a modified one; the dashboard assembly itself was not to be replaced.
Mazda BK Mazda3: squeaking rear brakes #1
In May 2004, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 04-003/04 for the following Mazda BK Mazda3 vehicles –
- 2004 Mazda3 with 15-inch wheels: VINs preceding JM1 BK **** 41 131014; and,
- 2004 Mazda3 with 16- or 17-inch wheels: VINs preceding JM1 BK **** 41 130969.
In these vehicles, the rear brakes may emit a squeaking noise when the vehicle accelerates from rest, or during light brake pedal application. The service bulletin attributed this brake noise to the rear brake pad not fitting straight on the mounting due to burrs. As a result, the rear brake pad partially contacted the disc plate. It is understood that revised brake pads and caliper supports were subsequently released.
The service bulletin also stated that a squeaking noise from the rear brakes could be caused by an improperly adjusted parking brake.
Mazda BK Mazda3: squeaking rear brakes #2
In June 2005, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 04-003/05 for 2004-05 Mazda BK Mazda3 vehicles due to a squeaking and/or grinding noise from the rear brakes when braking to rest. The service bulletin attributes the braking noise to a ‘stick-slip’ condition between the rear disc brake pad and rotor. To fix, both the rear brake pads were to be replaced with modified pads (part number B3YP-26-48Z).
BK Mazda3: vibration around 90 km/h
In June 2007, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 03-001/07 for 2004-07 Mazda BK Mazda3 vehicles. In these vehicles, a body vibration may occur when driving at around 90 km/h due to the characteristics of the #3 and #4 engine mounts. It is understood that modified #3 and #4 engine mounts were developed for replacement.
Mazda BK Mazda3: engine stalls at low-speed
In February 2008, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 01-003/08 for 2004-05 Mazda BK Mazda3 vehicles because the engine may stall when driving at low speed, the accelerator pedal was lightly depressed and then released. To overcome this problem, the powertrain control module (PCM) software was revised.
Mazda BK Mazda3: engine doesn’t start in park
In November 2008, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 05-012/08 for Mazda BK Mazda3 vehicles that were manufactured before 1 November 2007 and had VINs preceding JM1BK**** ** 848579. In these vehicles, the engine may not start when the vehicle is in park and the shift position lamp in the instrument cluster may not illuminate; the engine could, however, be started with the transmission in neutral – this could be caused by rust on the connecting point of the shift cable and lock cable lever which caused the select lever not to move to the location where it was recognised as being in ‘park’.
To fix, the lock cable lever, nut and washer were to be replaced.
Mazda BK Mazda3: variable idle speed and stalling
In February 2009, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 01-007/09 for Mazda BK Mazda3 vehicles because of variable idle speed and, in some rare cases, stalling after the vehicle had stopped. The service bulletin attributed this behaviour to the accumulation of carbon deposits inside the throttle body which caused air flow to decrease. To fix, the throttle body needed to be removed, cleaned and re-installed using a new gasket.
Mazda BK Mazda3: squeaking seat
In October 2009, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 09-064/09 for Mazda BK Mazda3 vehicles. In some of these vehicles, there may be a squeaking noise from the front seatback due to contact between the seat frame and seat frame spring. To fix,
- The headrest was to be removed;
- The seat trim and seatback pad were to be removed;
- Clamp B was to be widened to remove Spring A (see bulletin);
- Vinyl tape was to be wrapped around the clamped portion of the spring;
- The spring was to be fitted back into the clamp and the clamp squeezed to secure the spring; and,
- The seatback pad, seat trim and headrest were to be re-installed.
Mazda BK Mazda3: 3-4 automatic transmission shift shock
In August 2010, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 05-010/10 for 2006-08 Mazda BK Mazda3 vehicles with 2.3-litre engines that were manufactured prior to 24 February 2008 and had VINs preceding JM1BK******899999.
In vehicles fitted with automatic transmission, the driver may experience excessive transmission shock when shifting from third to fourth gear and driving uphill or with some load applied. The service bulletin attributed this shift shock to uneven wear on the servo piston bore which resulted in oil leakage from the bore. This, in turn, caused mistimed engagement of the 2/4 band and 3-4 shift shock. To prevent the problem from recurring, the servo piston hardness was changed. To fix, however, the transmission had to be replaced since the servo piston was inside the transmission case and could not be repaired.
Mazda BK Mazda3: front-end clunk after take-off
In January 2014, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 04-002/14 for 2007-09 Mazda BK Mazda3 vehicles because some owners experienced a slight clunk/bang/buzz noise or jolt from the front of the vehicle during the vehicle’s initial forward movement after starting the engine. As per the service bulletin, this noise was due to a normal ‘Malfunction Detection Function’ being performed by the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and did not require repairs.
Mazda BK Mazda3: Other problems and faults
- Engine overheating and/or a lack of battery charging may be due to a tensioner pulley wearing out; as a result, the tensioner and air conditioning belt require replacement.
- The power steering may become heavy due to leaking from a fluid return hose connection.
- The auto-down feature of the driver’s power window may stop working when the window is half-way down. If so, the power window main switch likely requires replacement.
- The hinges in the windscreen wiper arms may be affected by corrosion and require replacement arms.
- The ‘check engine’ light may illuminate in the absence of any drivability issues due to a valve in the intake system jamming.
- The airbag warning light may illuminate due to pretensioner sensor wiring damage caused by adjusting the seat.
