2011 Mazda 3 Paint Issue

[Giants10]

I have a 2011 Mazda 3 that is devloping an issue on the roof with its paint. There is a quarter size spot where the paint is either off or about to peel off. This car is still under warranty BUT mazda refuses to to repair the issue, saying that tree sap or something like that must have caused it. WTF this is a brand new car and you're telling me that mazda wont stand behind its paint? I bought this car in NY but now live in SC. I brought it to the local dealer here and they basically told me.. good luck oh but we would be HAPPY to do the repairs for you at you cost of course.

While I am trying to get this resolved within Mazda should I get this fix? Fix it myself? I am worried about rust causing more issues.

We own TWO mazdas but not for long after this issue.. I fully intend on dumping this car and our 2012 CX-9 .. if they cant stand behind a paint job how would they be if there was an engine issue.. etc.

 

[exar333]

Loved my 03 Mazda6 except for paint/rust issues as well. They don't have a good track record of standing behind their paint issues.

 

[LTC8K6]

Go higher. Explain about not buying a Mazda.

 

[nerp]

That's bullshit. Raise a stink.

 

[phucheneh]

The dealer is likely just trying to protect themselves- too many black marks on their record, and the manufacturer will start limiting their warranty priviledges. May eventually audit them. Also, they just might flat-out not get paid.

So yeah, go higher and complain to Mazda. BBB complaints and the like never hurt, either.

You got any pics of your paint damage? I also have a 2011 3. Haven't had any issues. I wax about once every six months. Wash about...once every six months (heh...good wax job plus occasional rain...good enough).

If you bring the car in to have it evaluated, make sure it's clean and has wax on it. Limit their ability to accuse you of negligence.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Only thing I've noticed on mine are god damn rock chips. Shitty ass socal streets/freeways. Other than that though it's still in pretty good shape. I keep a pretty meticulous cleaning schedule on it though. Never seem to hear good things about the paints on cars in the sub 30k range.

 

[Doppel]

My family literally has a no-more-Mazdas-ever-again after the last one we had rusted well before any car of its age should have. Tons of surface rust in basically all of the panels around door jambs and license plate area, just like every other Mazda of its vintage and lineage. I've seen mazdas under 10 years old with perforated wheel wells, whereas you look at a Honda or Nissan or holy crap basically fvcking any vehicle, of the same age and worst-case you've got a little spotting here and there.

 

[phucheneh]

For the first time ever, I'm glad I live in Tennessee.

 

[Insomniator]

2011 isn't brand new

 

[Doppel]

2011 isn't brand new

Worst-case it's two years old. The only car that should be rusting at all anywhere within two years is if you sanded all the paint off and then stuck it out on a pier with sea spraying it down.

 

[WilliamM2]

I had the same issue with my last Mazda. At less than two years old paint started bubling along the back edges of the hood, trunk, and rear doors, not spots that would usually rust at all. Mazda would do nothing about it, unless it rusted all the way through during the 5 year corrosion warranty. It rusted through at about 6 years old of course, and was a complete rust bucket by 8. I expect cars to last a lot longer than that, since I only drive about 6K a year.

Of course it also had a check engine light that would come on whenever it was cold outside, that they never could fix. That started after about a year as well. Gave a code of bad EGR valve, which they replaced three times under warranty, no difference. When the weather got warmer, it would go off by itself, until the next winter.

Although the car always ran perfect, I'll never buy another Mazda, and that was my third one! They didn't care.