Recalls: Mazda BM 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 BM Mazda3
2015-17 Mazda BM/BN Mazda3: front windscreen wipers may not work
In May 2019, recall campaign R201902 was issued for Mazda BM and BN Mazda3 vehicles that were available for sale from 20 July 2015 to 11 July 2017. Due to a defective relay in the Front Body Control Module (F-BCM), the front windscreen wipers may become inoperative. Drivers may therefore experience reduced or poor visibility while driving and this increased the risk of a collision. To fix, the Front Body Control Module was to be replaced. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17496.
2014-16 model year Mazda BM Mazda3 Diesel: carbon deposits in intake shutter valve
In October 2019, recall campaign R201912 was issued for 2014-16 model year Mazda BM Mazda3 vehicles that had diesel engines and were available for sale in Australia from 26 January 2012 to 10 August 2018. In these vehicles, carbon deposits may accumulate in the intake shutter valve and engine components may experience premature wear. These factors could cause the following symptoms:
- Gradual decrease in engine power;
- Illumination of multiple warning lights in the driver’s instrument cluster;
- A gradual increase in vehicle stopping distance;
- Potential engine stall with no re-start; and,
If any of these occurred, there was an increased risk of a collision or injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. To fix, affected engine components were to be inspected, repaired and, where required, replaced; the Engine Control Module (ECM) was also to receive a software update. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17867.
2013-16 Mazda BM Mazda3: rear-view camera wiring harness
In August 2023, recall campaign R202301 was issued for 2013-20 Mazda DK CX-3 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing defect, the rear-view camera wiring harness may become damaged – this could cause the rear-view image to become distorted or flicker. If the rear-view camera display did not display the rear-view image as intended, it could increase the risk of a collision and injury to persons behind the vehicle. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005733.
Problems and faults: Mazda BM 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.
2013 Mazda BM Mazda3: whining noise from automatic transmission
In May 2014, Mazda USA issued Technical Service Bulletin 05-004/14 for Mazda BM Mazda3 vehicles with automatic transmissions, manufactured prior to 11 November 2013 and with VINs preceding JM1BM1K73E1144608. In these vehicles, the driver may notice a whining noise from the automatic transmission when driving at 16 km/h (10 mph) and above. Furthermore, the noise:
- Increased with vehicle speed;
- Occurred during all types of driving (i.e. acceleration, deceleration and maintaining a steady speed); and,
- Did not depend on engine speed, gear or automatic transmission fluid (ATF) temperature.
To fix, the automatic transmission was to be replaced.
An earlier version of this technical service bulletin attributed the whining noise to a damaged bearing in the transaxle due to improper configuration of the transaxle case. Furthermore, it was noted that a modification had been implemented on transmissions from serial numbers TR1111680 and TD1104906 (the serial number could be found on top of the transaxle case near the manual shaft lever). This information, however, was omitted from the revised bulletin.
2013 Mazda BM Mazda3 with automatic transmission: failsafe mode and flaring
In February 2014, Mazda USA issued Technical Service Bulletin 05-002/14 Mazda BM 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.
2013 Mazda BM Mazda3 SkyActiv-G: ‘check engine’ light, DTC P0192 and fuel pump
In April 2014, Mazda USA issued Technical Service Bulletin 01-010/14 for Mazda BM Mazda3 vehicles which had ‘SkyActiv-G’ petrol engines, were produced before 1 December 2013 and had VINs preceding JM1BM******154277. In these vehicles,
- The “check engine’ light may illuminate; and,
- Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) (DTC) P0192 (‘Fuel pressure sensor circuit low input’) 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.
2013-14 Mazda BM Mazda3 SkyActiv-G: check engine light and transmission warning light
In September 2014, Mazda USA issued Technical Service Bulletin 05-005/14 for 2013-14 Mazda BL Mazda3 vehicles which had ‘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.
2013-14 Mazda BM Mazda3: rough idle, MIL and DTC P0015/P0524
In September 2014, Mazda USA issued Technical Service Bulletin 01-009/14 for 2013-14 Mazda BM Mazda3 vehicles with ‘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.
2013-14 Mazda BM Mazda3 SkyActiv-G: noise from fuel tank after re-fuelling
In October 2014, Mazda USA issued Technical Service Bulletin 01-018/14 for Mazda BM Mazda3 vehicles that were manufactured prior to 1 October 2014 and had VINs preceding JM1BM******235980. In these vehicles, the driver may notice a tapping noise from inside the fuel tank (located under the rear seat) when the vehicle is idling after the fuel tank has been filled up. Furthermore, the noise disappears after driving, i.e. once the vehicle has consumed some fuel. According to the bulletin, this noise was caused by the fuel float inside the roll over valve (ROV) moving up and down when the tank was over-filled. To fix, the fuel tank was to be replaced.
For vehicles produced after 1 October 2014, the ROV was modified to restrict the up and down movement of the float.
2013 Mazda BM Mazda3 with manual transmission: hard shifting, especially into first gear
In December 2013, Mazda issued Technical Service Bulletin 05-007/13 for Mazda BM Mazda3 vehicles that were produced before 11 November 2013; these vehicles had VINs preceding JM1BM******144465. These vehicles may exhibit hard gear shifting (i.e. abrupt shifts), especially into first gear. According to the bulletin, this condition was caused by the shift control cable of the shift lever being misaligned from the centre of neutral position during production. To fix, the control cable was to be adjusted as per the instructions of the bulletin.
2013-14 Mazda BM 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 Mazda BM Mazda3 vehicles which:
- Had ‘SkyActiv-G’ petrol engines mated to manual transmissions;
- Were manufactured before 8 August 2014; and,
- Had VINs preceding JM1BM******228314.
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.
2014 Mazda BM Mazda3 with i-ELOOP: ‘Battery Management Inspection Required’
In 2014, Mazda UK issued a ‘non-code action’ for Mazda BM Mazda3 vehicles that were fitted with Mazda’s i-ELOOP system and manufactured from 9 July 2014 to 20 December 2014. In these Mazda BM Mazda3 vehicles, heavy rain or deep water could cause the alternator drive belt to become wet and potentially slip. If slippage occurred, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) would interpret this as a failure of the deceleration energy regeneration system and the alternator would stop charging the battery. This failure would cause the engine and charging warning lights on the instrument panel to illuminate and a message ‘Battery Management Inspection Required’ would be indicated in the LCD panel in front of the driver. Since this issue would prevent the alternator from charging the battery, the battery could be drained of its power and cause the engine to stall. As battery voltage dropped, the driver would experience symptoms such as insufficient acceleration, malfunctioning windscreen wipers, et cetera.
To rectify, the PCM was to be re-programmed with modified Capacitor Control Programme software. The affected Mazda BM Mazda3 vehicles had VINs in the range JMZBM547621100059 to JMZBM547621132754 (NCA/2014/011).
2013 Mazda BM Mazda3 2.2 SkyActiv-D: lack of acceleration and white smoke from exhaust
In February 2015, Mazda issued Technical Service Bulletin R073/15 for Mazda BM Mazda3 vehicles which:
- Had 2.2-litre ‘SkyActiv’ diesel engines;
- Were manufactured prior to 17 September 2013 and had serial numbers (i.e. the last six digits of the VIN) prior to 112007; and,
- Engine numbers preceding SH3-0352618.
According to the service bulletin, these vehicles may exhibit the following symptoms:
- A lack of acceleration (i.e. ‘poor acceleration performance’);
- White smoke from the exhaust while driving; and,
- Illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Light (or ‘check engine’ light) with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0299, P02CB and/or P2263 stored in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
These symptoms may be due to damage to the small and/or large turbochargers and wear to the high-lift cams of the exhaust camshaft.
To inspect the small turbocharger, engine speed was to be raised to 2500 rpm; if any abnormal noise was heard, the small turbocharger was to be inspected for damage to its blades using a fiberscope. The damage may be apparent as a saw-toothed deformation on the outer edge of the turbine blades or deformation of the entire outer edge of the turbine blades.
If there were no abnormal noises when testing the small turbocharger, then the large turbocharger was to be inspected for:
- Scratch marks on the inside wall of the turbine housing; and,
- Scratches to the turbine blades which may cause the housing to appear whitish, or saw-toothed deformation on the outer edge of the blades.
If there was damage, the turbochargers were to be replaced after the engine oil had been flushed, new oil added and a new oil filter. If there was any engine oil leakage from around the turbocharger or intercooler, then the leak needed to be repaired before flushing the oil.
Beyond the turbochargers, the high lift cams of the exhaust camshaft were also to be inspected for wear. If wear was apparent, then the exhaust camshaft and rocker arms also required replacement.
Please note that Technical Service Bulletin R073/15 superseded R074/14 and its revisions.
2013 Mazda BM Mazda3: front-end clunk after take-off
In January 2014, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 04-022/14 for Mazda BM 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.
2013 Mazda BM Mazda3: front-end clunk after take-off
In July 2014, Mazda USA issued Technical Service Bulletin 06-002/14 for Mazda BM Mazda3 vehicles that were produced before 19 November 2013 and had VINs preceding JM1BM******148473. When accelerating from rest and with the steering wheel turned to the full left position, an unusual ‘clacking’ noise may be heard from under the front of the vehicle. The noise, however, is not heard when the steering wheel is in the centre or full right position.
According to the technical bulletin, the noise was caused by the edge of left side inner ball joint getting stuck within the steering gear housing. The measures required to fix the problem, however, depended on the vehicle’s production date since it may or may not be necessary to replace the inner ball joint. For further information, please refer to the bulletin.
To prevent this problem from occurring in later models, the following production changes were implemented:
- The shape of the inner ball joint edge was changed; and,
- Grease was applied to the inner ball joint edge.
