2010 MAZDA MAZDA3 Wheels Problems

ABS module malfunction all four wheel speed sensor not read in the same time and powersteering cut off cause by unready wheel speed check engine light ABS light and Steering Light on.

As the original owner, I have now experienced (4) faulty/broken/corroded valve stem as part (attached to the TPMS-Tire Pressure Monitor System). This happened over the course of 12 years. I do believe all of them were OEM parts. All of them broke when attempting to air up the tire. It is a safety issue because once broke, you can no longer put air into the tire. The first occurrence was while still under warranty and i had to argue with the Mazda dealer to replace it . The dealership gave me some sort of unofficial receipt which I actually kept, found, and attached to this complaint form. During my second set of tires, Sams Club graciously replaced 2 more as part of their tire warranty package (I dont think they documented this on their receipts). Now, what i believe to be the final OEM stem left has broke. Unfortunately, I have a third set of tires through Costco and they wont replace without a fee. This should be a safety recall absolutely no doubt in my experience!

ABS, AND TRACTION CONTROL DASH BOARD LIGHTS ARE ON. THE ABS RELAY IS FAULTY, SO THE ABS MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED

Mileage: 100,000

MAZDA3 FACTORY-INSTALLED TIRE INFLATION VALVE STEMS ARE PREMATURELY FAILING RESULTING IN AN IMMEDIATE TIRE DEFLATION WITH NO PRIOR WARNING OR INDICATION OF FAILURE. FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WHEN MOVING. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION (I.E. NO WARNING OR SLOW LOSS OF PRESSURE) OF A PROBLEM WITH THE VALVE. PRIOR TO THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE NEVER HAD A TIRE INFLATION VALVE STEM FAIL IN THE 35+ YEARS I HAVE OWNED VEHICLES. HOWEVER, THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES TO THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE (WHICH WE PURCHASED IN 2014) WITH THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE HAPPENING TODAY, 16 JAN 2019. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THIS IS A WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM WITH MAZDA 3 TIRE INFLATION VALVE STEMS. I'VE ATTACHED PICTURES OF TODAY'S FAILURE AS WELL AS AN EXEMPLAR WEBSITE PRINTOUT OF IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS BY OTHER MAZDA OWNERS. GIVEN THE UNWARNED AND RAPID FAILURE OF THESE VALVE STEMS, THIS IS AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL SHOULD THE TIRE INFLATION VALVE STEM FAIL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY DURING ADVERSE WEATHER.

Mileage: 102,000

WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON THE BYPASS WHEN THE VALVE STEM AND TPMS SENSOR BROKE OFF AND IMMEDIATELY DEFLATED THE TIRE SHAKING THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY AND ALMOST CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. HAVE BROUGHT THIS COMPLAINT TO MAZDA IN THE PAST AND THEY SAID THEY KNOW THAT IT IS CAUSED BY USING DISSIMILAR METALS ON THE TPMS SENSOR CAUSING EROSION TO THE STEM AND ULTIMATELY THE STEM BREAKING OFF. THIS TPMS SENSOR WAS ALREADY REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIRE CHANGE INTERVAL AND STILL FAILED LONG BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS DUE FOR ANOTHER SET OF TIRES. MAZDA KNOWS THESE ARE DEFECTIVE AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I'D RATHER NOT HAVE TPMS AND NOT KNOW WHAT MY TIRE PRESSURES ARE THAN TO HAVE THAT SYSTEM ENDANGER MYSELF OR MY FAMILY ANY MORE. IT IS CURRENTLY MORE DANGEROUS TO USE THESE DEFECTIVE FAULTY TPMS SENSORS THAN IT IS TO NOT HAVE THEM. THAT SHOULD TELL YOU SOMETHING...

Mileage: 85,000

TPMS/VALVE STEM ASSEMBLY FAILED SUDDENLY CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE LOST OF AIR IN THE TIRE ON 2-LANE MARKED HIGHWAY(POSTED SPEED LIMIT 55MPH)

Mileage: 95,500

ONE OF THE TWO ELECTRICALS BROKE LOOSE THAT'S CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY THAT STARTS THE CAR. MY CAR LITERALLY STALLED OUT ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. I WAS ALMOST HIT BECAUSE OF THAT. ANOTHER ISSUE IS MY RIGHT BACK TIRE. ONE OF THE LUG NUTS WON'T COME OFF AND THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY TIRE, I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET A NEW TIRE TO REPLACE THE OLD ONE. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE LIGHT ON THE CEILING OF MY CAR BROKE. THE WIRES ARE EXPOSED. MY DASHBOARD IN MY CAR IS ALSO MELTING.

Mileage: 107,000

IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, SINCE JULY 2015, I HAVE REPLACED THREE TIRE MONITORING VALVES ON MY 2010 MAZDA 3. THIS MORNING I WENT TO DRIVE MY CAR THE MONITOR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH REPLACEMENT. AND THE REPAIR IS NOT CHEAP THROUGH THE DEALER. IT IS ABOUT $200 FOR EACH VALVE. I READ SOME BAD EXPERIENCES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT. I PRAY THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ME.

Mileage: 80,000

TWICE NOW, WHEN I WAS ALERTED VIA MY TPMS THAT I HAD LOW TIRE PRESSURE IN ONE OF MY TIRES, I STOPPED AT A SERVICE STATION TO ADD AIR TO MY LOW PRESSURE TIRE. AS I APPLIED THE AIR HOSE TO THE VALVE STEM, THE VALVE STEM (AND THE ATTACHED TPMS SENSOR, DISAPPEARED INTO THE WHEEL AND TIRE AND THE TIRE WENT IMMEDIATELY FLAT. . I BELIEVE THIS TO BE THE RESULT OF FAULTY DESIGN OF THE TPMS ASSEMBLY. THE MATERIALS USED IN THE COLLAR AND NUT THAT SECURE THE TPMS ASSEMBLY TO THE WHEEL IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT (EXPOSED TO ROAD SALT, DIRT, GRIME, BRAKE DUST, ETC.) IN WHICH THE TPMS ASSEMBLY MUST FUNCTION. THE COLLAR AND NUT CORRODE AND EVENTUALLY FAIL DUE TO THAT EXPOSURE. FORTUNATELY FOR ME, I WAS STOPPED AT THE TIME OF THOSE FAILURES; HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE COMPLETE FAILURE (NO AIR PRESSURE REMAINING IN TIRE) COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THE FIRST ASSEMBLY FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 36,500 MILES AND THIS MOST RECENT ONE FAILED AT 61,800 MILES. BOTH TPMS ASSEMBLIES WERE OEM PARTS AND WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW FROM MAZDA. I HAVE SEEN MANY REPORTS ONLINE DESCRIBING SIMILAR FAILURES. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, MAZDA HAS NOT YET RECOGNIZED OR ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN AND FAILURE OF THEIR TPMS ASSEMBLIES. I WOULD LIKE THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND TAKE ACTION TO ADDRESS THEIR FAULTY DESIGN, BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR DIES FROM AN ACCIDENT RESULTING FROM ANOTHER TPMS ASSEMBLY FAILURE.

Mileage: 61,800

AT 78,000 MILES ONE OF MY VALVE STEMS FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. WHEN I INSPECTED THE OTHER THREE WHEELS, BASED ON A RECOMMENDATION FROM SHOP, I FOUND ANOTHER STEM WITH ABOUT 2/3 OF THE NUT MISSING ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE STEM SHAFT. SEE PICTURES. IF THE FRONT WHEEL STEM HAD FAILED RATHER THAN THE BACK WHEEL STEM I COULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS CONTROL ISSUES.

Mileage: 78,000

VALVE STEMS ON TIRES BLOW OUT WITH VERY LITTLE WARNING. IT HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES ON MY VEHICLE, TWICE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH MY SMALL CHILD IN THE BACKSEAT. THE SENSOR FOR LOW TIRE PRESSURE GOES ON AND WITHIN A MINUTE THE TIRE IS COMPLETELY RUINED. AND THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS WITH A TIRE ONLY SIX MONTHS OLD AND LESS THAN 10000 MILES. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO EVEN PULL OVER. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND SCARY.

Mileage: 100,000

2010 MADZA3 LESS THAN 40,000 MILES. WENT TO HAVE SNOW TIRES REMOVED AFTER WINTER SEASON. ALL FOUR TPMS VALVES CORRODED AND BROKEN INTO PIECES. TIRE DEALER WOULD NOT RELEASE CAR WITH VALVES IN THIS CONDITION. HAVE TEMPORARILY REPLACED WITH REGULAR, NON-MONITORING VALVES. SIX YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH THIS FEW MILES SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS ISSUE. NO RECALL ISSUED, BUT OBVIOUSLY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. WHY HASN'T RECALL BEEN ISSUED. COULD BE CATASTROPHIC ON HIGHWAY.

Mileage: 39,900

STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING, UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR

[I BOUGHT MY CAR USED, AND IT CAME WITH THE TPMS LIGHT ON. I WAS TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE THE PASSENGER REAR SENSOR WASN'T TRANSMITTING. I CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE OFTEN, AND IGNORE THE TPMS LIGHT BECAUSE THOSE SENSORS ARE EXPENSIVE! MORE ON THIS LATER.] AS I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT A FEW WEEKS AGO, I REALIZED I WAS GETTING A FLAT TIRE ON THE DRIVER FRONT. I PULLED OVER AND, AS I WAS TAKING THE LUG NUTS OFF, NOTICED THE VALVE STEM HAD DISAPPEARED. AFTER I GOT TO THE TIRE SHOP AND THEY WERE INSPECTING THE TIRE, THE TECH INFORMED ME THE FLAT WAS BECAUSE THE ENTIRE VALVE HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE TIRE! THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE DID NOT HAVE A FAULTY SENSOR; THE VALVE HAD BEEN REPLACED (BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER) WITH A NON-SENSOR VALVE. I FOUND IT STRANGE THAT NOW TWO TIRE VALVES HAD BEEN REPLACED ON MY CAR. WHEN I RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE, I DISCOVERED MY MODEL YEAR HAS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE VALVES BREAKING OR FALLING OUT! AND NOW MY DRIVER REAR TIRE IS LOSING AIR, SO I SUSPECT THAT VALVE NEEDS REPLACED, AS WELL. I CONTACTED MAZDA AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THEIR EMAIL RESPONSE INCLUDED NO MENTION AT ALL OF THE TIRE VALVES - THE ENTIRE POINT OF MY CONTACTING THEM. I FOUND OTHER OWNERS ONLINE STATING MAZDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. AT THIS POINT, I HAVE ONE REPLACED VALVE WITHOUT A SENSOR (COURTESY OF THE PREVIOUS OWNER), THE $80 VALVE I JUST REPLACED (WITH A SENSOR), ONE VALVE I SUSPECT IS LEAKING AND NEEDS REPLACEDN, AND ONE VALVE THAT MAY FAIL AT ANY TIME LIKE THE ONE A FEW WEEKS AGO. MAZDA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS AND RECTIFY IT. THEY'RE LUCKY THAT VALVE FAILED BEFORE MY ROAD TRIP ON THE 9TH, WHEN I WOULD HAVE BEEN GOING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY! AND I DON'T APPRECIATE HAVING TO SPEND $320 TO CORRECT MAZDA'S MISTAKES.

Mileage: 50,000

TIRE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS AND PUNCTURES THE TIRE. I HAD ALREADY REPLACED TIRE SENSORS ON ALL THE WHEELS AND IT IS HAPPENING EVERY YEAR. I ONLY HAD 44,000 MILES AND I HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE TIRES AND TIRE SENSORS. I HAD THE CAR PARKED YESTERDAY NIGHT AND ALL THE TIRES HAD GOOD PRESSURE AND DROVE IN THE MORNING OUT THE DRIVEWAY. WITHIN LESS THAN 0.5 DRIVING MY FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL GOT FLAT. AFTER TOWING TO DEALER, I FOUND OUT IT WAS DUE TIRE SENSOR.

Mileage: 44,000

TIRE VALVE STEM ON 2010 MAZDA 3 CORRODING AND BRAKING APART. THE FIRST VALVE STEM BROKE OFF WHILE I WAS PUTTING AIR IN MY TIRES. NOW TWO MORE ARE VISIBLY CORRODED AND THE NUT THAT HOLDS THE VALVE STEM TO THE WHEEL ARE BREAKING APART (ONE OF THEM HALF THE NUT FELL OFF).

Mileage: 90,000

FOUR NEW TIRES INSTALLED LAST SUMMER. SINCE THEN TWO HAVE FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT MY DAUGHTER HIT SOMETHING WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT TOTALLY FAILED (REPLACED NEW TIRE UNDER 5000 MILES). SHE SAID IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING SLOW THRU NEIGHBORHOOD. THEN THE LEFT FRONT FAILED A FEW MONTHS LATER AND SHE HAD IT REPLACED. SHE WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM IS THE TPMS, AND THAT THE RIGHT REAR WILL PROBABLY FAIL TOO.

Mileage: 57,000

TPMS BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY. HERE IS AN IMAGE OF MY THIRD TPMS THAT WOULD HAVE BLOWN OUT WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY. GOOD THING I NOTICED THIS BECAUSE I NOW KNOW TO CHECK FOR IT. HTTP://TINYPIC.COM/R/2PT89CL/8 HTTP://TINYPIC.COM/R/2UNWLR5/8 HTTP://TINYPIC.COM/R/O6A64J/8 HTTP://TINYPIC.COM/R/5Z2VC9/8

Mileage: 65,000

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

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

REPLACED 1ST OF 16 TIRES TO DATE. SINCE OWNING THIS CAR, WE'VE HAD TO REPLACE TIRES 1X/YEAR. THIS IS DUE TO THE OVERLY AGGRESSIVE CAMBER ON THE CAR. DURING THIS TIME, WE'VE TAKEN IT TO 2 SEPARATE MAZDA DEALERS WHO DENY ANY DEFECT IN THE CAR. AS A LAST RESORT WE'VE CONTACTED MAZDA, NA, WHO REFERRED US BACK TO ONE OF THE DEALERS WE'VE DEALT WITH IN THE PAST. THEIR SOLUTION WAS ADDITIONAL ROTATIONS AND ALIGNMENTS. YOU CAN'T ALIGN CAMBER WHEN IT MEETS THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS THAT CAUSE THE TIRES TO WEAR ON THE INNER SIDE PREMATURELY. WE HAVE 80,500 MILES ON THE CAR AND HAVE PUT ON 4 SETS OF TIRES. MAZDA DENIES ANY DEFECT, JUST AS THEY DID 20 YEARS AGO WITH A SEAT BELT PROBLEM THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL AFTER GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION. THE TIRE ISSUE IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT THE WEAR IS OUT OF SIGHT. THIS LAST PAIR OF TIRES WERE PURCHASED DUE TO A BLOWOUT ON A MAJOR ROAD AND HAVING TO CHANGE TO THE DONUT WHILE ON THE SHOULDER. MAZDA WILL NOT BACK THEIR VEHICLES, SO DON'T BUY THEM! *TR

Mileage: 15,489

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

ALL FOUR WHEELS ARE RUSTING. RUST IS SO BAD THAT A FLAT TIRE CANNOT BE CHANGED, THE WHEELS ARE RUSTED COMPLETELY TO THE AXLES. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN EXPOSED TO SALT WATER AND WAS PURCHASED NEW. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. PULLED IN TO THE GAS STATION TO CHECK TIRES AND NOTICED A FLAT REAR TIRE. WENT TO PUT AIR IN AND SAW THE VALVE STEM WAS GONE. HAD IT TOWED AND WAS TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE ALL OF THEM. THEY ARE ALL CRACKED. JUST GOT BACK FROM A VACATION. GLAD THIS DIDNT HAPPEN ON THE TUNPIKE. SEEMS VERY SOON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. BEEN DRIVING 40 YEARS. THIS IS A FIRST.VERY EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS.40 ,000 MILES SEEMS PRETTY SOON FOR THIS. *JS

Mileage: 41,000

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TPMS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,850.

Mileage: 51,850

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, SHE HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO DEFLATE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT WANTED TO INCLUDE THAT IF SHE WERE TRAVELING AT GREATS SPEEDS THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN HAZARDOUS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,850.

Mileage: 15,850

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE TIRE SENSOR WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE SENSORS WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

Mileage: 76,000

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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE TIRE SENSOR WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE TIRE SENSORS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

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

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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER CHECKING HIS VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE NUT THAT HOLDS THE VALVE STEM HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,861.

Mileage: 40,861

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

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

THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FAILURE TO DATE, HOWEVER, ADDING MY VEHICLE TO THE OTHER MAZDA3'S IN THE DATA BASE WHERE THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE IS CREATING UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. AS I HAVE READ IN NO LESS THAN 5 BLOGS, THE MANUFACTURER INTENTIONALLY CAMBERS THE REAR TIRES TO INCREASE THE PERFORMANCE AND HANDLING AND UPON NORMAL ROTATION OF THE TIRES, A "BUMPING" NOISE CAN BE HEARD AND FELT. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WILL DO NOTHING AND STATES IS A DESIGN ISSUE AND MAZDA STATES I MUST DEAL WITH THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. THIS UNEVEN TIRE WEAR AND VIBRATION COULD LEAD TO ADDITIONAL TIRE WEAR AS NOTED BY OTHER OWNERS. AT 11,000 MILES, I SHOULD NOT BE FACED WITH REPLACING THE TIRES.

Mileage: 11,000