2010 MAZDA MAZDA3 Tires Problems

I purchased two tires from Les Schwab in Molalla, OR on 1/15/25 in which upon them changing the tires they damaged one of my TPMS sensors and they did not replace it. I didn't have a warning light before I went in and now I do and they knowingly did not replace it when TPMS sensor service was part of purchasing the new tires. Instead they quoted me $451.96 to replace the sensors in all 4 tires other than replaced the one they broke. A set of TPMS sensors online cost $28, this is unethical of them to take advantage of consumers like this and they should be held accountable. If I'm not mistake it says in "49 USC 30122(b)" that "Prohibition.-A manufacturer, distributor, dealer, rental company, or motor vehicle repair business may not knowingly make inoperative any part of a device or element of design installed on or in a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment in compliance with an applicable motor vehicle safety standard prescribed under this chapter unless the manufacturer, distributor, dealer, rental company, or repair business reasonably believes the vehicle or equipment will not be used (except for testing or a similar purpose during maintenance or repair) when the device or element is inoperative." 205/55 R16

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 65 MPH NEARLY LOSING CONTROL MY MY VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY AND EXAMINE MY TIRE, AND SAW THAT MY VALVE STEM WAS COMPLETELY MISSING FROM THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, IT APPEARS THAT THE WHEEL THREADS SHOWS SIGNS OF CORROSION WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN THE TPMS MONITOR AND VALVE STEM BREAKING OFF.

Mileage: 64,040

WHILE SERVICING A CUSTOMER'S VEHICLE WE INFLATED THEIR TIRES. WHEN THE AIR CHUCK CLAMPED ON THE VALVE STEM, IT BROKE CAUSING ALL AIR TO ESCAPE FROM THE TIRE, IMMOBILIZING THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 59,036

WHILE SERVICING A CUSTOMER'S VEHICLE WE INFLATED THEIR TIRES. WHEN THE AIR CHUCK CLAMPED ON THE VALVE STEM, IT BROKE CAUSING ALL AIR TO ESCAPE FROM THE TIRE, IMMOBILIZING THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 59,036

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TPMS SENSOR WAS CORRODED AND THE NUT WAS FRACTURED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AND THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED WITH REGULAR VALVE STEMS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING, WHICH CAUSED A GLARE FROM THE SUN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 09/14/15*LJ UPDATED 11/01/2017*CN

Mileage: 83,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SENSOR WAS CORRODED AND THE TIRE VALVE WAS DISINTEGRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT RECUR AND REQUESTED RUBBER VALVES INSTEAD OF THE ALUMINUM VALVES; HOWEVER, THE DEALER DID NOT HONOR THE REQUEST. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,325. UPDATED 7/20/15*CN UPDATED 10/19/217*CN

Mileage: 25,325

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SENSOR WAS CORRODED AND THE TIRE VALVE WAS DISINTEGRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT RECUR AND REQUESTED RUBBER VALVES INSTEAD OF THE ALUMINUM VALVES; HOWEVER, THE DEALER DID NOT HONOR THE REQUEST. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,325. UPDATED 7/20/15*CN UPDATED 10/19/217*CN

Mileage: 25,325

WHILE ADJUSTING THE AIR PRESSURE IN A CUSTOMER'S VEHICLE THE TIRE AIR VALVE/TPMS SENSOR BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 52,116

TODAY AS I AM REPORTING IS THE 3RD INCIDENT OF THIS TYPE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW, AND MY CAR NOW HAS ONLY 44 K MILES ON IT. THE TPMS SENSORS ON THE MAZDA 3 ARE CONNECTED TO THE AIR VALVE IN THE TIRES. TPMS SENSORS ARE VERY FICKLE AND TEND TO CORRODE AND BREAK WITH SEASONAL WEATHER. WHEN THE TPMS SENSOR BREAKS ON A MAZDA3, IT LETS ALL THE AIR OUT OF YOUR TIRE AND GIVES YOU A FLAT, STRANDING YOU WHEREVER YOU ARE. TPMS SENSORS ARE SUPPOSED TO AID DRIVERS TO LET THEM KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT IN THIS CASE, THEY ACTUALLY CAUSE THE PROBLEM. THE AIR VALVE BEING CONNECTED TO THE TPMS IS UNIQUE TO THE DESIGN OF THIS CAR, AND HAS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ME WITH OTHER VEHICLES. THIS CAN LEAD TO DANGEROUS SITUATIONS, DEPENDING ON HOW FAST THE CAR IS TRAVELING AND WHERE. I HAVE LOST AIR ON THE HIGHWAY AND BEEN STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TPMS SENSORS/INSTALLATION ARE 200 BUCKS EACH APPROXIMATELY, AND IF YOUR TIRE GETS RIPPED UP DURING THE INCIDENT, YOU MUST ALSO BUY A NEW TIRE. *TR

Mileage: 22,016

THE VALVE STEMS ON THE WHEELS ARE CORRODING AND ONE COMPLETELY FELL OFF WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TAKE A CAP OFF OF IT TO ADD AIR. THESE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN RAPID AIR LOSS FROM THE TIRES AND AN ACCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY THAT IT HAPPENED WHEN I WASN'T DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

I HAVE NOW HAD TWO TPMS VALVE STEMS SNAP OFF WHILE NEEDING TO INFLATE MY TIRES. BOTH CRACKED IN HALF AT THE THREADED PART OR THE STEM. COST IS $150 EACH TO REPLACE. MAZDA CORPORATE SAYS THIS IS "NORMAL". I HAVE DRIVEN 500,000 IN MY LIFE AND NEVER HAD A VALVE STEM CRACK OFF. THIS CAR HAS HAD TWO. FORUMS ARE LITTERED WITH THIS ISSUE. PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AND TIRES GOING FLAT ON THE HIGHWAY. WILL SOMEONE NEED TO DIE FOR MAZDA TO CHANGE THESE DANGEROUS MONITORS? *TR

THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS BECAME CORRODED. ONE BROKE OFF DURING GETTING NEW TIRES INSTALLED, THE SECOND HAPPENED WHILE I WAS FILLING THE TIRE WITH AIR. IT JUST FELL APART IN MY HAND. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

ON 4/19/14, I HAD A BROKEN TPMS SENSOR WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS SENSOR WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, FRONT TIRE. THEN AGAIN ON 6/2/14, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON A DIFFERENT TIRE - THE DRIVER SIDE BACK TIRE. *TR

Mileage: 53,000

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) LIGHT CAME ON TO INDICATE A LOW TIRE. I PULLED INTO THE GAS STATION NEAR MY HOUSE RIGHT AFTER AND CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURES. WHEN CHECKING THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE PRESSURE WITH A TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE THE TPMS SENSOR AND STEM PUSHED IN AND AIR BLASTED OUT, BLOWING SEVERAL PIECES OF THE SLEEVE THAT KEEPS THE STEM IN PLACE OFF OF THE WHEEL/STEM. I PICKED UP THE 2 REMAINING PIECES (ONE THIRD OF THE SLEEVE WAS MISSING AND PRESUMED TO HAVE FALLEN OFF WHILE DRIVING) AND THEY HAD CRACKED LENGTH-WISE AND HAD A LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE CORROSION IN THE THREADS. THE REMAINING STEM WAS ALSO COVERED IN WHITE CORROSION ON THE THREADS AND THE TIRE HAD LOST MOST OF ITS PRESSURE. I STILL HAVE THOSE PIECES OF THE CRACKED TPMS SENSOR SLEEVE IF NEEDED TO BE EXAMINED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE AND WHEEL TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INSPECTED THAT WHEEL AS WELL AS THE OTHERS. THEY STATED THAT 2 OF MY OTHER TPMS SENSORS HAD CRACKED SLEEVES THAT COULD COME OFF AT ANY TIME IN ADDITION THE ONE THAT HAD FAILED. IF ONE OF THOSE HAD FAILED ON ONE OF MY FRONT WHEELS THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 59,025

IN THE MAZDA 3, THE TPMS SENSOR IS CONNECTED TO THE AIR VALVE. THE TPMS SENSORS BREAK EASILY, CAUSING THE TIRE TO DEFLATE. IF THE OUTSIDE PART OF THE TPMS SENSOR BREAKS FROM CORROSION OR BEING HIT AGAINST A CURB, THE TIRE WILL DEFLATE. I HAVE HAD 3 TPMS SENSORS BREAK SINCE I HAD THE CAR, WHICH HAS ONLY BEEN 4 YEARS (APPROX 39,000 MILES), AND IS EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. MY TIRES ARE LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. THE PART OF THE TPMS EXPOSED ON THE OUTSIDE WILL CORRODE, AND IF THE OUTSIDE PART BREAKS OFF, YOUR TIRES DEFLATE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MAZDA OWNERS. THESE THINGS BREAK AND THEN CAUSE A FLAT, LEAVING THE DRIVER IN A POSSIBLE EMERGENCY SITUATION. THE REASON FOR THE TPMS SENSOR IS SO DRIVERS DON'T HAVE BLOW OUTS, BUT THE EMERGENCY LIGHT IS VERY NONSPECIFIC, SO THE ONLY WAY YOU KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THE FLAT HAS ALREADY OCCURRED, WHICH IS UNNECESSARILY CAUSED BY THE TPMS SENSOR. THIS LATEST INCIDENT INVOLVED ME STRANDED IN THE COUNTRY, YET ANOTHER TPMS SENSOR REPLACEMENT ($200 APPROX), A NEW TIRE, AND AN ALIGNMENT - ALMOST $500 TOTAL. IF THE TPMS SENSOR HADN'T BROKEN, THE FLAT WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED AT ALL. *TR

Mileage: 39,078

IT IS NOW MARCH 2014, AND 3 OF THE TPMS VALVE STEMS HAVE CORRODED AND ARE FALLING APART. THE FIRST ONE WAS DISCOVERED DURING TIRE REPLACEMENT. NOW 2 MORE ARE FALLING APART. ALL COMPONENTS ARE THE ORIGINAL, SO THE CLAIM ABOUT GALVANIC CORROSION DUE TO USING AFTERMARKET VALVES WITH BRASS IS IRRELEVANT. MAZDA HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. FOR REFERENCE I ALSO OWN A TOYOTA RAV4 AND THE TPMS ARE STILL PERFECT. *TR

Mileage: 103,000

TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE BROKE OFF, RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE AND THE NEED TO SUDDENLY SLOW AND PULL OVER. AFTER TAKING IT INTO BE SERVICED, THE MAZDA DEALER SAYS ALL FOUR ARE CORRODED, AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. AT 4 YEARS AND LESS THAN 40,000 MILES, THIS SEEMS CLEARLY LIKE A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IN GENERAL. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

REAR TIRE WAS FLAT IN THE MORNING. COULD NOT FIND VISIBLE DAMAGE. PUMPED IT UP TO 32 PSI AND BY NEXT MORNING IT WAS 20 PSI. THREE DAYS LATER, A FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. NO NOTICEABLE DAMAGE, BUT DID NOTICE A CRACKED TIRE STEM ON A THIRD TIRE. WENT TO A TIRE DEALER TO GET REPAIRS. WAS INFORMED THAT THREE OF MY FOUR TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SENSORS WERE LEAKING. HAD ALL FOUR REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT OVER NOT HAVING THE SENSORS WHICH ARE NOW REQUIRED BY LAW. *TR

Mileage: 70,100

JUNE 9TH 2013, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF INFLATION PRESSURE IN PASSENGER FRONT TIRE WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED TPMS VALVE SEAL FAILURE WAS ROOT CAUSE OF AIR LOSS. CHECK OF OTHER TPM SENSORS CONFIRMED DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAL WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND LEAKING SMALL AMOUNTS OF AIR. BOTH REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY WITH DEALER INDICATING THIS AS A KNOWN ISSUE. SEPTEMBER 16TH 2013 PASSENGER REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED AIRLOSS WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. DEALER INVESTIGATION CONFIRMED TPM VALVE FAILURE. PART NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR DEALER GOODWILL. FAILURE OF SAFETY-CRITICAL PART AFTER ~3 YEARS OF FIELD EXPOSURE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

WITHIN 2 DAYS OF DRIVING, MY MAZDA 3 HAD TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS, WHERE THE VALVES OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) FAILED, ON TWO SEPARATE TIRES. ON MONDAY, JULY 18, 2013 WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON RT. 25 IN BOURNE, MA, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED AT THE NEAREST GAS STATION. THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE WAS VERY FLAT. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO FILL IT WITH AIR, THE VALVE PUSHED INTO THE TIRE. LUCKILY, I WAS AT A GAS STATION AND THEY WERE ABLE TO REPAIR THE TIRE WITH "STANDARD" (NON-TPMS) VALVE AND I WAS ON MY WAY. AS I WAS ON VACATION. I PARKED THE CAR FOR A WEEK. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR (JULY 22), I DROVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT 50 MILES. I STOPPED TO HAVE LUNCH AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS VERY FLAT. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT AIR INTO THE VALVE, IT TOO PUSHED INTO THE TIRE. THAT IS TWO TPMS VALVES THAT FAILED IN TWO DAYS OF DRIVING. I CALLED MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE (800-222-5500, EXT. 6) EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO JOSE (EXT. 1180). HE WAS SYMPATHETIC, BUT WOULD NOT COMMIT TO MAZDA REPAIRING THE TPMS VALVE AT NO COST TO ME. I AM HAVING MY MECHANIC PUT IN NON-TPMS VALVES IN THE REMAINING TWO TIRES ON THE CAR, AS I FEEL THEY ARE A REAL SAFETY HAZARD. I WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. I WENT ON TO THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF VALVE FAILURES ON MAZDA3 CARS (HTTP://CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/MAZDA/MAZDA3/TIRE-PRESSURE-MONITORING-SYSTEM-PROBLEMS.PHP). I PLAN TO TAKE THE FAILED COMPONENTS TO WELLSLEY MAZDA, IN WELLSLEY MA WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, FOR EVALUATION. I DO NOT TRUST THE RELIABILITY OF THE TMPS SYSTEM IN MY MAZDA3, AND APPARENTLY THERE ARE OTHERS WHO FEEL THE SAME. THE FAILURE OF THE TPMS VALVES IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND ONE THAT THE NHTSA SHOULD CONSIDER INVESTIGATING. TIRE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED CAN LEAD TO VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.

Mileage: 45,800

WITHIN 2 DAYS OF DRIVING, MY MAZDA 3 HAD TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS, WHERE THE VALVES OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) FAILED, ON TWO SEPARATE TIRES. ON MONDAY, JULY 18, 2013 WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON RT. 25 IN BOURNE, MA, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED AT THE NEAREST GAS STATION. THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE WAS VERY FLAT. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO FILL IT WITH AIR, THE VALVE PUSHED INTO THE TIRE. LUCKILY, I WAS AT A GAS STATION AND THEY WERE ABLE TO REPAIR THE TIRE WITH "STANDARD" (NON-TPMS) VALVE AND I WAS ON MY WAY. AS I WAS ON VACATION. I PARKED THE CAR FOR A WEEK. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR (JULY 22), I DROVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT 50 MILES. I STOPPED TO HAVE LUNCH AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS VERY FLAT. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT AIR INTO THE VALVE, IT TOO PUSHED INTO THE TIRE. THAT IS TWO TPMS VALVES THAT FAILED IN TWO DAYS OF DRIVING. I CALLED MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE (800-222-5500, EXT. 6) EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO JOSE (EXT. 1180). HE WAS SYMPATHETIC, BUT WOULD NOT COMMIT TO MAZDA REPAIRING THE TPMS VALVE AT NO COST TO ME. I AM HAVING MY MECHANIC PUT IN NON-TPMS VALVES IN THE REMAINING TWO TIRES ON THE CAR, AS I FEEL THEY ARE A REAL SAFETY HAZARD. I WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. I WENT ON TO THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF VALVE FAILURES ON MAZDA3 CARS (HTTP://CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/MAZDA/MAZDA3/TIRE-PRESSURE-MONITORING-SYSTEM-PROBLEMS.PHP). I PLAN TO TAKE THE FAILED COMPONENTS TO WELLSLEY MAZDA, IN WELLSLEY MA WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, FOR EVALUATION. I DO NOT TRUST THE RELIABILITY OF THE TMPS SYSTEM IN MY MAZDA3, AND APPARENTLY THERE ARE OTHERS WHO FEEL THE SAME. THE FAILURE OF THE TPMS VALVES IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND ONE THAT THE NHTSA SHOULD CONSIDER INVESTIGATING. TIRE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED CAN LEAD TO VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.

Mileage: 45,800

I HAVE A 2010 MAZDA 3, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR CORRODING AND CAUSING THE TIRE TO LOSE AIR QUICKLY. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME TWICE WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. I TOOK THE OTHER TWO TIRE SENSORS OFF, WHICH THEY WERE ALSO CORRODED. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, I GOT LUCKY THAT I WASN'T TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS AT THE TIME MY PRESSURE IN MY TIRES WENT OUT. ALSO AT THE TIME I HAD TWO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 5 IN THE CAR WHICH THANK GOODNESS NOTHING HAPPEN TO THEM! THIS COULD VERY EASILY CAUSE SOMEONE TO LOOSE CONTROL AND WRECK THEIR CAR AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES. *TR

Mileage: 68,000

ONLY OWNER OF A 2010 MAZDA 3. ISSUES WITH CAR SINCE PURCHASING. REPLACED TIRES IN WINTER OF 2012, FEW WEEKS LATER TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. FILLED TIRES WITH AIR. FEW WEEKS LATER, SAME OCCURRENCE. BROUGHT CAR TO THE PLACE WERE THE TIRES WERE PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED. THE INSPECTED OVER ALL 4 TIRES AND FOUND THAT 2 OF THE 4 TIRE STEMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CALLED MAZDA CORP AND THEY STATED THE CAR NEEDED TO GO TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE DIAGNOSED. ( FOR LEAKING TIRE STEMS ). CALLED MY LOCAL MAZDA WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, THEY WERE GREAT AND SAID THEY WOULDN'T CHARGE A FEE TO DIAGNOSE LEAKING STEMS AS IT WAS OBVIOUS. THEY DID FIND THAT 2 OF THE 4 WERE BROKEN. 1 WAS ACTUALLY SNAPPED IN HALF. NO DRIVER ERROR NOTED, OR DAMAGE TO RIM. IF YOU GOOGLE THIS ISSUE THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS OUT THERE REGARDING THIS, BUT MAZDA STILL WONT RECOGNIZE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE. MY QUESTION BEING... WHAT IF THE STEMS FAILED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ???? *TR

Mileage: 40,000

WHILE CHECKING A CUSTOMER'S TIRE PRESSURE THE TPMS SENSOR BROKE CAUSING ALL AIR TO ESCAPE THE TIRE, IMMOBILIZING THE VEHICLE. WE HAD A NEW TPMS SENSOR INSTALLED AND THE TIRE REPAIRED FOR $81.41. *TR

Mileage: 76,111

TPMS ALERTED DRIVER TO LOW AIR PRESSURE IN A TIRE. CHECKED TIRE, PRESSURE LOW (SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND SCREW IN TIRE). ONCE AIR NOZZLE PLACE ON VALVE STEM, IT SNAPPED IN HALF AND ALL THE AIR IMMEDIATELY WENT OUT OF THE TIRE. OTHERS CHECKED AND ARE CORRODED AND BRITTLE. DEALER AND LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC BOTH STATED LIKELY TO HAPPEN AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. MATERIALS USED IN THE VALVE STEM SHOULD BE CHANGED TO MAKE THEM FLEXIBLE, LIKE THE OLDER ONES WITHOUT THE MONITORING SYSTEM. REPLACED VALVE STEM WITH $5 STEM OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL TO PREVENT SAFETY ISSUE IN THE FUTURE. *TR

Mileage: 32,750

THE DOCUMENTED DATE ABOVE (07/13/13) IS MY MOST RECENT INCIDENT WITH MY VALVE STEM/TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM FALLING OFF WHILE DRIVING. IN JUNE 2012 WITH ~34,000 MILES, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY FIRST VALVE STEM/TPMS FELL OUT, NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE ON THAT WHEEL (NO AIR), AND THE WHEEL COULD NO LONGER BE USED UNTIL I HAD A MAZDA DEALER REPLACE THE PART. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE FOR MY TIRE TO SUDDENLY DEFLATE WHILE MOVING AT FAST SPEEDS. THIS WAS FIXED UNDER MY ALMOST TERMINATED WARRANTY. ONE MONTH LATER, THE VALVE STEM/TPMS ON ANOTHER WHEEL CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING AND THIS HAD TO BE REPLACED LIKE THE OTHER ONE. MOST RECENTLY, MY THIRD WHEEL TPMSENSOR WENT WHILE ALSO DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, VIGILANTLY MAINTAINING CONTROL ON MY VEHICLE UNTIL I COULD PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. THIS TREND SHOWS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE/INADEQUATE PARTS USED DURING CONSTRUCTION. THERE IS NO PRESCRIBED CARE FOR THESE PARTS IN THE MAZDA OWNERS MANUAL NOR IS THERE ANYWAY TO KNOW THAT THESE WOULD MALFUNCTION UNTIL THEY DID. 3 OUT OF 4 IS UNACCEPTABLE AND UNSAFE AND SHOULD SHOW A TREND. WHEN I CALLED MAZDA, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE COST OF THIS RECENT REPAIR WAS MINE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE, NOW AT ~55,000 MILES WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THESE PARTS WERE DYSFUNCTIONAL FROM THE BEGINNING AND SHOULD HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED AT MY FIRST INCIDENT IF THIS WAS TO HAPPEN AGAIN, AND AGAIN. I AM NERVOUS THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN TO MY FOURTH WHEEL WHILE DRIVING, POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM SENSOR FAILED CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOWOUT AND GO FLAT ON THE HIGHWAY. THE STEM OF THE SENSOR WAS CORRODED WHICH CAUSED THE INCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 49,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE VALVE STEM AND SENSOR WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VALVE STEM WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WAS ON, I STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION TO PUT SOME AIR IN AND AS I REMOVED THE PLASTIC VALVE CAP THE VALVE CRACKED AND BROKE OFF LEAVING ME WITH A FLAT TIRE. *TR

Mileage: 51,546

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE INSIDE OF THE VALVE STEMS HAD RUSTED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE STEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH A RUBBER STEM INSTEAD OF A METAL ONE TO PREVENT RUST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000. *TR

BOUGHT A USED 2010 MAZDA 3 5-DOOR IN JANUARY 2013. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON MAY 18TH 2013 WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, I CUT OFF TRAFFIC TO GET INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT, PUT ON THE SPARE AND TOOK CAR TO THE CLOSEST TIRE REPAIR SHOP (GOOD YEAR TIRE). TURNS OUT THAT THE TIRES TPMS (TIRE-PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM) SENSORS THREADS STRIPED CAUSING THE SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRE. IRONICALLY THE SMALL LITTLE SENSOR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT RUNNING ON LOW AIR PRESSURE WAS AT FAULT IN THIS TRAFFIC INCIDENT. *TR

ON OR ABOUT 4/24/2012, I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW SET OF FOUR TIRES AT THE FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP ON ROUTE 36, WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ 732-542-0995. PLEASE ALSO NOTE I HAD MY MAZDA 3I FOR ONLY A LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS AT THAT TIME. WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE TWO OF THOSE TIRES DUE TO LEAKS/BLOWOUTS. UPON TAKING MY CAR BACK TO THE SELF-SAME FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP IN WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ FOR CLOSER INSPECTION, ED GONZALEZ, THE MANAGER, INDICATED TO ME THAT THE TIRE VALVE STEM ON THE TIRE MOST RECENTLY "DECEASED"' (LEFT REAR) HAD ACTUALLY FALLEN OUT OF THE TIRE AND INTO THE WHEEL WELL WITHOUT EVER BEING TOUCHED BY ANYONE PREVIOUSLY (I HAVE PHOTOS OF DEFECTIVE STEMS. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, THE TIRE VALVE STEM IN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE IS ALSO DEFECTIVE TO THE EYE. I HAVE BOTH DEFECTIVE STEMS AND [XXX] WILL ATTEST-IN WRITING-TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE BOTH DEFECTIVE-AND THE ORIGINAL, FACTORY-INSTALLED TIRE VALVE STEMS THAT I RECEIVED ON MY MAZDA 3I IN FEBRUARY, 2010. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 69,500

CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE IN DRIVEWAY AND TPMS SENSOR - TIRE VALVE CRACKED AND FAILED IN 3 OF 4 TIRES/WHEELS. TWO TODAY, AND THE FIRST APPROX. 3 MONTHS AGO. IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF ONE OF THESE VALVES FAILED WHILE . DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND AFTER INSPECTING THE LEFT REAR TIRE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SLEEVE FOR THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT BOTH OF THE REAR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR SLEEVES HAD DEVELOPED CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THAT THE SENSORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND CORRODED THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. AS A RESULT, ALL FOUR SENSORS AND ONE OF THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000. *TR

Mileage: 58,000

TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, SO I CHECKED THE PRESSURE OF EACH TIRE. ONE WAS LOW, SO I ASKED MY MECHANIC TO FIX IT. HE FOUND THE LEAK WAS A CRACKED VALVE STEM ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING AIR TO ESCAPE ALONG THE VALVE STEM. FORTUNATELY IT DIDN'T DAMAGE THE NEW TIRE, BUT STILL COST $150 TO FIX AND I FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT FOR THE MAZDA3. FOR ME, THE SAFETY ISSUE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN WHEN MY WIFE IS DRIVING THIS CAR ON A TRIP, SEES THE WARNING LIGHT COME ON, AND HAS TO FIND HELP TO FIX IT OR TO CHANGE THE TIRE FOR THE SPARE, OR THE LEAK BECOMES FAST ENOUGH TO GIVE HER A FLAT TIRE. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE MAZDA 3 HEADED EAST ON I-94 IN BROOKFIELD, WI NEAR THE MOORLAND ROAD EXIT ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, FEBRUARY 9, 2013 THE CAR WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 65MPH. THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SUDDENLY. THEN A FEW SECONDS AFTER THAT THE STEERING BECAME WOBBLY AND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET CONTROL OF THE CAR, DECELERATE AND PULL TO THE SHOULDER. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE OUTSIDE SIDEWALL WAS COMPLETELY SHREDDED. WITH THE HELP OF STATE TROOPER DAVID W. HANSON SHE GOT THE TIRE CHANGED. ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2013 I TOOK THE CAR TO A TRUSTED MECHANIC. WE FOUND THE TIRE VALVE AND TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR INSIDE THE SHREDDED TIRE. THE VALVE STEM HAD BLOWN INTO THE TIRE. WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THAT. I HAD THE MECHANIC, ROB OF ERV'S SERVICE IN HARTLAND, WI EXAMINE THE OTHER TIRES AND VALVE STEMS ON THE REMAINING WHEELS OF THE CAR. HE FOUND ANOTHER VALVE STEM WITH A CRACKED HOUSING THAT WAS READY TO FAIL. I HAD THE MECHANIC REMOVE IT AND SECURE THE VALVE STEM. I RETAINED THE FAULTY PARTS. I BELIEVE THE VALVE STEM ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING THE SUDDEN LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE, THE SHREDDING OF THE TIRE SIDEWALL AND NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. INJURIES AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF LIFE. *TR

Mileage: 25,614

SPONTANEOUS FAILURE OF TIRE VALVE STEM RESULTING IN THE NEAR INSTANTANEOUS DECOMPRESSION OF THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. AT THE TIME I WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE OF THAT WHEEL. THE STEM SEPARATED INTO TWO PIECES WITHOUT ANY PRIOR INDICATION OF WEAR. *TR

Mileage: 11,000

NEW CAR, MAZDA M3, PURCHASED IN APRIL 2010. YOKOHAMA TIRES WERE ON THE CAR. CAR CURRENTLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000 MILES AND TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED. LAST NIGHT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WENT FLAT. UPON REMOVING THE TIRE TO FIX THE FLAT, THE SIDEWALL HAD SPLIT FROM THE TREAD. THIS HAPPENED ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE MEANING THE SIDE OF THE TIRE AGAINST THE CAR SO IT WAS NOT VISIBLE FROM JUST LOOKING AT THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE SPLIT IS 15 INCHES IN LENGTH AND I CAN SEE THAT THERE ARE OTHER AREAS THAT LOOK LIKE THEY ARE ABOUT TO SPLIT AS WELL. I FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12T025000 TALKING ABOUT RECALL OF A YOKOHAMA TIRE THAT SEEMS TO MATCH WHAT I HAVE HAD. I HAVE CONTACTED MY CAR DEALER AS THE RECALL SAYS THE DEALER WILL REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE, BUT THEY AREN'T AWARE OF ANY RECALL. I'VE BEEN ON HOLD FOR YOKOHAMA FOR 30+ MINUTES WITH NO LUCK IN SPEAKING TO A LIVE PERSON. I CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO HAVE A CAR AND BASED ON ALL I'VE READ ABOUT THESE TIRES, I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE MY CHILDREN RIDE ON TIRES THAT PERFORM LIKE THIS. I CAN'T AFFORD TO WAIT ON A PROCESS TO DETERMINE IF YOKOHAMA WILL MAKE GOOD ON THEIR WARRANTY CLAIMS. I HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES AND WILL BE PURCHASING 4 NEW TIRES AND NOT YOKOHAMA. *TR

Mileage: 18,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE VALVE STEM FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VALVE STEM CRACKED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,750.

Mileage: 24,750

WHILE CHECKING AND INFLATING A CUSTOMER'S TIRES THE VALVE STEM BROKE CAUSING THE TIRE TO COMPLETELY DEFLATE. *JS

Mileage: 48,844

THE VALVE STEM OF MY TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) HAD SIGNIFICANT CORROSION LEADING TO IMMEDIATE AND RAPID DEFLATION OF FRONT LEFT TIRE WHILE REMOVING AIR HOSE WHILE TENDING TO TPMS WARNING LIGHT. THE RAPID DEFLATION WAS DUE TO COMPLETE AND IMMEDIATE SEVERANCE WHERE THE THREADED PORTION OF VALVE STEM MET VALVE CAP WITHOUT ANY TORQUE OR ABNORMAL PRESSURE APPLIED. THE SEVERED EDGE OF THE VALVE STEM SHOWS CLEAR EVIDENCE OF CORROSION 360 DEGREES AND INWARD, WITH A THIN HALO (APPX. 1/10 OF THE WALL) REMAINING. BOTH THE TIRE AND VALVE STEM SHOWED NO SIGN OF LEAKING AND HELD PROPER PRESSURE WHILE FILLING TO RECOMMENDED PRESSURE UNTIL REMOVAL OF AIR HOSE CAUSED THE STEM TO SPLIT HORIZONTALLY BETWEEN THE 9TH AND 10TH THREAD. PLASTIC VALVE CAPS WERE IN PLACE ON ALL 4 TIRES. SPARE TIRE ALSO NOT ABLE TO BE PUT IN PLACE DUE TO 'STUCK' LUG NUTS ON SAME TIRE; SIMILAR CORROSION IS SUSPECT, POSSIBLY CAUSED BY GALVANIC CORROSION DUE TO METALS FOUND IN DISK BRAKES, SHOES OR ALLOY RIM. VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND NEEDED TOW TO NEAREST MAZDA DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. WHEN CALLING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT SENDING MY VEHICLE OVER I ADDRESSED MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE OTHER 3 VALVE STEMS NEEDING REPLACEMENT AND WAS TOLD "THEY ARE $150 EACH SO IF YOU WANT TO PAY TO HAVE THE OTHER ONES REPLACED YOU CAN, BUT THE DEALERSHIP ISN'T GOING TO PAY FOR IT" MY RESPONSE: "REALLY? I'M THANKFUL THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY, I WOULD HOPE THE SAFETY OF YOUR CUSTOMERS WOULD COME FIRST" ..NO IM SORRY, NO WE'LL LOOK INTO IT FOR YOU, JUST "WELL CAN I GIVE YOU THE NUMBER FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE?" *TR

Mileage: 25,000

THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME OUT ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASING MY NEW MAZDA 3 IN JULY 2010. I FILLED THE TIRE WITH AIR BUT LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON SEVERAL WEEKS LATER. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER IN OCTOBER 2010 AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER IN OCTOBER 2011 AND NOW THEY FIND A BENT WHEEL RIM. REPLACED THE RIM AT MY COST -- OVER 350.00. 4 WEEKS LATER, WARNING LIGHT COMES BACK ON. I CHECKED THE AIR ON ALL TIRES AND THEY ARE FINE. MY MAZDA HAS ONLY 6,000 MILES ON IT. MAZDA CANNOT SEEM TO FIX THE WARNING LIGHT PROBLEM AND THEY BLAME IT ON CHANGE IN WEATHER TEMPERATURE! COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY TO BRING THE CAR BACK IN. I REFUSE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE WHEN THIS IS CLEARLY A MAZDA PROBLEM AND THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. I'VE OWNED MAZDA CARS SINCE 1993; THIS IS MY 6TH MAZDA AND I AM VERY UPSET. *TR

Mileage: 100

WHILE SERVICING A 2010 MAZDA3 WE CHECKED THE CUSTOMER'S TIRE PRESSURE AS REQUIRED BY LAW. THE VALVE STEM SNAPPED OFF WHEN AN AIR LINE WAS ATTACHED TO INFLATE THE TIRE. *TR

Mileage: 37,539

TIRE PRESSURE AND REGULATING SYSTEMS - I OWN A 2010 MAZDA 3 AUTOMATIC (14,542 MILES) --ALSO PURCHASED JUST OVER A YR AGO. I HAVE NOW HAD "THREE" VALVE STEMS THAT HAVE BROKEN; WITH SLOW LEAKS AND FLAT TIRES. THE LAST ONE LEAVING ME STRANDED FOR 2 HRS UNTIL HELP ARRIVED. THIS ALSO HAPPENED 2 DAYS AFTER I HAD MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE FOR ANOTHER TIRE WITH A "VALVE" STEM REPLACEMENT--COSTING ME $198.00. ALSO TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL AND IT APPEARS MAZDA HAVING PROBLEMS NOW WITH THIS FOR A FEW YEARS. ALSO THOUGHT IT FUNNY THAT WHEN DEALERSHIP COMPLETING MY PAPERS THEY COMMENTED THAT THEY JUST COMPLETED EXACT SAME PAPERS FOR CAR BEFORE MINE !!!! I AM A CAUTIOUS DRIVER AND I KNOW MY WHEEL/TIRES WHERE NOT DAMAGED AND THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE VALVE STEM. I NOW HAVE 3 NEW VALVES STEMS THRU MY COST ---JUST WAITING FOR LAST ONE TO GO AND THEN WILL SEE HOW LONG THE "NEWER" ONES LAST. HAVE A FEELING THIS WILL BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM. AT LEAST DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE ONE TODAY AS A GOOD WILL FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

Mileage: 14,542

I OWN A 2010 MAZDA SPEED 3. PURCHASED JUST OVER A YEAR AGO. I HAVE A VALVE STEM THAT HAS BROKEN, WHICH RELEASED PRESSURE. THE VALVE STEMS USED ON THE VEHICLE ARE INCORPORATED INTO TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TMPS), AND THE DEALER REQUIRES THAT BOTH ITEMS BE REPLACED FOR $125. AFTERMARKET COMPANIES, SUCH AS DORMAN OFFER REPLACEMENTS THAT ARE MODULAR, AND ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO REPLACE JUST THE STEM, IF BROKEN. THE FACTORY, CONVENIENTLY DOES NOT OFFER THEM COMPONENT INDIVIDUALLY. BY THE LOOKS OF ONLINE FORUMS, THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. I HAVE OWNED VEHICLES FOR 30 YEARS NOW, AND I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED A BROKEN VALVE STEM LIKE THIS. THERE IS NO TRAUMA TO THE WHEEL ITSELF THAT WOULD EXPLAIN A BUSTED STEM THAT DOES NOT PROTRUDE BEYOND THE RIMS OUTER EDGE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM COULD BE ELIMINATED IF MAZDA WERE TO REDESIGN THE THREADED PORTION OF THE STEM TO BE THICKER. THE ALUMINUM STEMS ARE MACHINED SO THINLY, THAT THEY FAIL, OR ARE EASILY DAMAGED WHILE PERFORMING BASIC MAINTENANCE. THE MAZDA DEALER DOES NOT FEEL THAT THE PARTS ARE FAULTY, AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS BROKEN STEM PROBLEM. I FIND THAT EXTREMELY HARD TO BELIEVE. RESOLUTION: I NEED TO GET MY SPARE TIRE OFF THE CAR, SO I WILL BE DROPPING THE WHEEL OFF AT A TIRE SHOP TO REPLACE THE UNIT WITH A STANDARD METAL STEM UNTIL I DECIDE WHAT ROUTE TO TAKE. MY RESEARCH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS WILL NOT BE THE LAST PROBLEM I HAVE LIKE THIS, UNTIL I GET THE DANGEROUS FACTORY ONES OFF OF MY VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 24,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA, MAZDA3. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS LOW ON AIR AND SEEMED AS IF THE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE SENSORS WERE DAMAGED AND THE TIRE WAS NOT FLAT. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED TO THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE TIRE SHOP WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED ALL THREE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY TAKEN TO THE TIRE SHOP INSTEAD OF THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

Mileage: 32,000

2010 MAZDA 3 EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. BOUGHT CAR NEW IN SEPT 2009. JULY 2010 THE CAR HAS 24,000 MILES ON IT AND ALL TIRES ARE WORN OUT IN PATCHES AND ALIGNMENT NEEDS TO BE DONE ON ALL WHEELS. KEN TOWERY CONSIDERS THIS "NORMAL ON MAZDA 3'S". I USE MY CAR FOR COMMUTING SO MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 24,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 65 MPH, THE RIGHT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO INSTALL THE SPARE TIRE AND DROVE TO A TIRE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRES ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT AND OFFERED TO TAKE LIABILITY FOR 50 PERCENT OF THE REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 850. UPDATED 08/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/04/10*JB

Mileage: 700

2010 MAZDA 3 EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. BOUGHT CAR NEW IN OCT 2009. MAY 7TH 2010 THE CAR HAS 18,000 MILES ON IT AND THE REAR TIRES ARE DOWN TO THE STEEL BELTS. MY NET SEARCHING SHOWS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. HOW A CAR CAN HAVE ONLY 18,000 MILES ON IT AND HAVE DANGEROUSLY WORN TIRES IS BEYOND BELIEF. THE DEALERSHIP CONSIDERS THIS "NORMAL ON MAZDA 3'S". TIRES WERE WELL MAINTAINED WITH TIRE PRESSURE BY ME. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HIT A SIGNIFICANT ROAD HAZARD. CAR IS USED FOR MOSTLY STRAIGHT LINE HIGHWAY DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 18,000