Recalls: Mazda BL 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 BL Mazda3
Mazda BL Mazda3 hatch: tailgate may corrode and cause injury
In September 2016, a recall was issued for Mazda BL Mazda3 hatchbacks because an inappropriate type of paint was used on the end-cap of the external body of the Liftgate Stay Dampers (struts). In regions where exposure to salt occurred, surface corrosion may result. If the corrosion was not addressed and continued, the external body may swell such that the end-cap may split and break as the rear liftgate (tailgate) was opened. At worst, people nearby may be at risk of injury from components dislodged by the pressurised gas contained in the Liftgate Stay Damper (PRA 2016/15630).
2009-12 Mazda BL Mazda3: driver’s seat could move out of position
In February 2017, a recall was issued for Mazda BL Mazda3 vehicles that were available for sale in Australia prior to 28 March 2012. For the driver’s seat of these vehicles, the seat height adjustment lifter link could crack or the lifter link retaining nuts could separate. If this occurred, the seat may make an abnormal noise or rattling noise; at worst, however, the lifter link could break and separate from the seat frame, causing the seat to move out of its position. For the VINs of the recalled Mazda BL Mazda3 vehicles, please see PRA 2017/15935.
Problems and faults: Mazda BL 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.
2009-13 Mazda BL Mazda3 Diesel: engine failure due to oil starvation
For 2009-13 Mazda BL Mazda3 Diesel vehicles with 2.2-litre MZR-CD R2 2008 diesel engines, there have been reports of premature engine failures. For these engines, it is understood that the copper seals of the no.1 fuel injector could fail and cause combustion gases to heat the engine oil in the camshaft chambers, creating hard carbon deposits. Over time, these carbon deposits can get flushed into the oil sump and block the oil pick-up strainer/filter (in the oil sump). At worst, this blockage may starve the oil pump of oil, the oil warning light may illuminate due to the lack of oil pressure and the engine may seize. If the latter occurs, the engine must be replaced.
If the driver notices that the engine oil warning light illuminates, AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that the vehicle be stopped immediately and towed to a mechanic. It is understood that the low oil pressure warning light illuminates at around 6 psi, whereas normal oil pressure is 50-60 psi. As such, illumination of the engine oil warning light demonstrates seriously low oil pressure which poses an imminent risk of engine damage.
For owners, it is recommended that the strainer/filter be inspected when the oil is changed for any signs of blockage. Furthermore, AustralianCar.Reviews understands that since the oil strainer/filter sits low in the oil sump, it is not possible to completely drain the oil if the strainer/filter is blocked.
2009-11 Mazda BL Mazda3: sticky dashboard
For 2009-11 Mazda BL Mazda3 vehicles, the polymer which the dashboard is made from may degrade due to sunlight/heat and humidity. As a result, the dashboard surface may:
- Become sticky to the touch; and,
- Appear shiny and reflect more light, causing increased glare and impaired visibility.
The driver may also experience a ‘chemical’ smell.
WithinAustralia, there have been cases of Mazda supplying replacement dashboards at not cost as a ‘goodwill’ gesture, though owners have still had to pay labour costs (around $250-$350) to have the replacement dashboard fitted. For examples, see ‘Whirlpool: 2009 Mazda 3 dashboard is melting‘.
2008-09 Mazda BL Mazda3: MIL illuminates
In June 2011, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 01-023/11 for Mazda BL Mazda3 vehicles that were manufactured from 7 October 2008 to 23 April 2009 and had VINs in the range JM1BL****A1 100120 to JM1BL****A1 152216. In these vehicles, starting the engine after the vehicle has been parked under intense sunlight may cause the malfunction indicator light (MIL) to illuminate and the following diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) to be recorded –
- DTC P2183: ECT sensor no.2 circuit range/performance problem; and/or
- DTC P0111: IAT sensor circuit range/performance problem.
This condition was caused by an excessive temperature difference between the ECT #2 and the IAT that resulted from the sudden rise in engine compartment temperature from sunlight warming the vehicle’s bonnet. A revised powertrain control module (PCM) calibration was introduced to fix this problem.
2009-13 Mazda BL Mazda3: front-end clunk after take-off
In January 2014, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 04-022/14 for 2009-13 Mazda BL 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.
2011-13 Mazda BL Mazda3 SkyActiv-G: rough idle, MIL and DTC P0015/P0524
In September 2014, Mazda USA issued Technical Service Bulletin 01-009/14 for 2011-13 Mazda BL Mazda3 vehicles with 2.0-litre ‘SkyActiv-G’ petrol engines. These vehicles may exhibit the following symptoms:
- A rough idle;
- Illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL); and,
- Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0015 (exhaust CMP timing over-retarded) or P0524 (engine oil pressure too low) logged in the powertrain control module.
According to the technical bulletin, these symptoms were caused by a drop in engine oil pressure due to a foreign object becoming stuck in the oil pump pressure relief valve or oil control valve (OCV). While the temporary entry of a foreign object would cause illumination of the MIL, a rough idle would not occur until a later time.
Depending on the results of an oil pressure test, which DTCs were present and whether it was the 2.0- or 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G engine, fixing this condition could involve replacing the oil pump, oil strainer and cleaning the oil pan.
If only P0015 was logged, oil pressure was to be tested. If oil pressure was not within specification for the 2.5 SkyActiv-G engine, the oil pump was to be replaced and the oil pan cleaned; for the 2.0 SkyActiv-G engine, the oil strainer was to be released.
2011-13 Mazda BL Mazda3 SkyActiv-G: failsafe mode and flaring
In February 2014, Mazda USA issued Technical Service Bulletin 05-002/14 for 2011-13 Mazda BL Mazda3 vehicles that had ‘SkyActiv-G’ engines and automatic transmissions. In these vehicles, the fail-safe function for the automatic transmission may engage and be accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Vehicle speed does not increase with engine speed (flaring); and,
- The automatic transmission does not shift up or down as expected.
According to the bulletin, it may not always be possible to reproduce this condition and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may not be stored. The bulletin attributed these symptoms to iron particles in the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) entering the automatic transmission’s valve body and causing a temporary malfunction of the valve body and/or sensor – this triggered the automatic transmission’s fail-safe function. Furthermore, the fail-safe function would be cancelled and DTCs would not be recorded if the malfunction went away and did not recur during the next drive cycle.
If these symptoms could be reproduced or a DTC was stored, then they were to be diagnosed according to the vehicle’s workshop manual. If, however, the condition could not be re-produced, the automatic transmission would be subjected to ‘initial learning’ twice – this would forcibly actuate each valve in the valve body and verify their operation. During this operation, automatic transmission fluid would circulate through the valve body and have a flushing effect.
2011-13 Mazda BL Mazda3 SkyActiv-G: check engine light and transmission warning light
In September 2014, Mazda USA issued Technical Service Bulletin 05-005/14 for 2011-13 Mazda BL Mazda3 vehicles which had 2.0-litre ‘SkyActiv-G’ petrol engines and six-speed automatic transmissions. In these vehicles, the check engine light and automatic transmission warning light may illuminate and the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) may be stored in the Transmission Control Module (TCM):
- P0842 – oil pressure switch no.1 (oil pressure switch B) stuck on;
- P0847 – oil pressure switch no.2 (oil pressure switch A) stuck on;
- P0872 – oil pressure switch no.3 (oil pressure switch A) stuck on; and,
- P0877 – oil pressure switch no.4 (oil pressure switch B) stuck on.
Furthermore, DTC P0780 (gear shifting malfunction) and P1738 (automatic transaxle internal malfunction) may also be stored together.
According to the technical bulletin, these symptoms were caused by oil pressure switch A and/or B at the control valve body temporarily or permanently becoming stuck due to contamination entering the passage. To fix, both oil pressure switches A and B were to be replaced, a new oil strainer and O-rings were to be installed; the TCM could also require re-programming. Changes in production to reduce contamination and DTC diagnostic logic were subsequently implemented.
2011-13 Mazda BL Mazda3 SkyActiv-G with manual transmission: hard to shift or shifter jumps out of 3rd gear
In November 2014, Mazda USA issued Technical Service Bulletin 05-008/14 for 2011-13 Mazda BL Mazda3 vehicles which had ‘SkyActiv-G’ petrol engines and manual transmissions. These vehicles may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Hard to shift into third, fourth, fifth and/or sixth gear; or,
- The shifter may jump out of third gear when driving over a road bump at speeds between 40 and 60 km/h.
According to the bulletin, these symptoms were caused by a failure of the related clutch hub(s). To fix,
- The transmission was to be removed;
- The 3-4 and 5-6 clutch hubs were to be replaced with modified hubs; and,
- If third gear was jumping out, the third gear was also to be replaced.
To correct the problem of hard shifting, the shape of the 3-4 and 5-6 clutch hub was subsequently changed. Furthermore, a surface treatment was added to the 3/4 clutch hub to prevent third gear from jumping out.
2011-13 Mazda BL Mazda3 SkyActiv-G: ‘check engine’ light, DTC P0191 and fuel pump
In April 2014, Mazda USA issued Technical Service Bulletin 01-010/14 for 2011-13 Mazda BL Mazda3 vehicles which had 2.0-litre ‘SkyActiv-G’ petrol engines. In these vehicles,
- The ‘check engine’ light may illuminate; and,
- Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0191 (‘Fuel pressure sensor circuit range/performance problem’) may be logged in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
According to the bulletin, this condition was caused by the high pressure fuel pump not generating the target fuel pressure due to a manufacturing error for the inner parts. To fix, the high pressure fuel pump was to be replaced.
To prevent this problem from occurring in later models, production control of the fuel pump was improved.
Mazda BL 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.
