Can you spot the bubbling paint on the top of the seam? Click to enlarge.
1. Rear Fenders
One of the first areas to check is where the end of the rear bumper meets the rear quarter panel at the rear wheel opening. Its at this point where rust begins to form as bubbling paint.
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how Mazda Canada was quietly reducing the dollar amount it would pay for repairing corrosion on vehicles at qualified for their Corrosion Warranty Protection which was extended from 5 years unlimited kilometers to 6 years unlimited kilometers. It was initially reported to me that the amount would drop from $1500 down to $500 after November 5, 2010 by the service department of the Mazda dealership I originally purchased my car from. I won’t name the dealership, but i will say that it’s named after the Province I live in, whose capital is Toronto.
After several unanswered and unreturned calls to this dealership to have my car dropped off I became frustrated and contacted another dealership (QEW Mazda in Oakville), to look into get these repairs done. I stopped in unannounced and was treated well by its service department. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the service advisor had been to this site looking for a couple of carpet kits for the pair of 2010 Mazda3’s he and his wife drive.
I was then enlightened that the information I had received about Mazda Canada reducing the dollar amount of money it was covering was incorrect. That the likely story is that the dealership had performed some questionable warranty claims and that Mazda Canada was tightening their reigns.
To make a long story short, I was instructed by the friendly service advisor at QEW Mazda to drive over to an affiliated body shop to have pictures taken and paperwork processed for the claim to be sent to Mazda Canada. One week later I got the call that the warranty claim was approved.
In the next couple of weeks my 2005 Mazda 3 will be taken in for its repairs which should take about 5 days. The kicker is that Mazda Canada doesn’t provide for a rental car.
I’m going to put out another blog post with the areas on your car to look for rust in the next couple of days.
The rust problem with the first generation Mazda 3 produced from model year 2004 – 2009, that has been widely written about in forums and blogs across the internet has taken an underhanded turn.
Mazda Canada had extended their 5 year, unlimited mileage corrosion warranty another year to 6 years, due to the amount of Mazda 3 and other Mazda owners complaining about their rusting rides. Well a source close to us, informed me today that if you are in Canada and have a Mazda with rust issues on your car to call you dealer immediately.
The urgency stems from news that Mazda Canada has quietly decided to reduce the amount of money that they pay to dealers to cover repair costs from $1500 to $500 only. This reduction in coverage takes effect on November 1, 2010.
This means the owners of Mazda vehicles may potentially be left holding the majority of the tab to repair their rusting vehicles.
So what can you do about it? Well, here is what I have learned:
1. Call your local dealer service department with your VIN number in hand. They will verify that your vehicle is covered under the 6 year corrosion warranty. They do this while your on the phone.
2. Once confirmed that your vehicle qualifies, your dealer will typically arrange for you to come in to take pictures and get the claim done.
3. When Mazda Canada approves the claim, arrangements are then made for your vehicle to be brought in for repair.
There are a few things that I am unclear of yet: Not sure if a rental or courtesy car is provided while they work on your car. I am also not sure if the claim has to be made before November 1, 2010 or the repairs have to be done by that date.
I am currently awaiting word from my local dealer in Mississauga to find out if my car qualifies and have been waiting for a call for 2 days from their Service Manager despite multiple phone calls and voice mails left.
If you live in the United States or any other country that sells the Mazda let us know how it is being handled in your country by posting a comment below.
I will post more information as it becomes available to me right here on the blog.
If you are looking for more information on the areas that typically rust on Mazda3’s check out: Click Here