Mazda3 may be vulnerable to break-ins
We debated on posting this because we always seem to get nailed in the comments for advertising a new way to break the law, but we feel it's important information for Mazda3 owners and we're encouraged by Mazda's reaction to the situation so far. First the deets: it appears that a few owners of the Mazda3 have come back to their vehicles to find their valuables missing but no visible signs of breaking and entering like shattered glass or broken locks. The only clue left by thieves is a big dent in the front passenger door. Canadian website MobileMag.com got the skinny from an anonymous Mazda dealer that if one hits the passenger door hard in just the right spot it will affect the lock assembly mechanism and unlock the doors. Mystery solved.
Mazda has been aware of and working on this issue since October of 2006, and this month it began installing a "countermeasure" in all Mazda3s being built in Japan. For those who have already had their cars broken into, in some cases Mazda has agreed to install a reinforced door lock assembly and a protective plate to prevent the same break-in from happening again, though it has not offered to repair the dents. At this point, Mazda does not consider this "trick" a defect in the product and it hasn't decided whether or not all Mazda3s will be called back to have the countermeasure installed.
We think they should be voluntary called back and have the countermeasures installed. While a thief will get into your vehicle one way or another if he wants to, being able to do it without smashing glass or looking terribly suspicious makes the Mazda3 a much more tempting target. Still, no one should leave valuables out in the open and give criminals a reason to target your vehicle.
Thanks for the tip, Rich!
[Source: MobileMag.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Liquid_Nick 7:43PM (2/04/2008)
I have not had this happen to me yet and this was the first time that I heard of it. However, thieves are always going to be able to get in cars and steal things if they want to so I am not really going to worry about because it would either be a dent in the door or a broken window. It just doesn't make sense people would brake into cars without anything in them, it would be just as easy to smash a window of someone that left their phone/purse ect in the car.
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Dawn 12:38AM (2/09/2008)
Is this problem also found in the 2008 models?
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SFL Chica 2:32PM (3/14/2008)
So pissed.....Someone broke into my car last night. Found my glove compartment left open, with my iPod missing (I didnt have anything lying around, so upset I left my iPod in my car last night). I couldnt figure out how they got in, My car was locked, and I could really see any damage. Just went to look at my car after seeing these postings, and sure enough, there is a little dent.
I've had my car for close to 3 years now and never heard of this, why didnt Mazda send out mailings to the owners so that we were AWARE of this? I would have taken the extra precaution to have those reenforcers installed on my car.
I am so upset about this!
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joshthetank 3:48AM (5/20/2008)
Mazda parts are built with superior level of sophistication and are uniquely engineered to meet the demands of meticulous riders. Symbolized by the rotary engine, Mazda is proud of its history of engineering innovations that have been applied to all Mazda parts in the attempt to make a dynamic vehicle model that shall continue to exceed the expectation of drivers around the globe. Despite the painstaking efforts of other car companies to adapt the Mazda concept, only Mazda succeeded in the invention of commercial sports car engine.
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Mazda3 Parts 3:52AM (5/20/2008)
added info:
Each Mazda 3 parts is a crucial component of the entire Mazda assembly. Mazda models like the Mazda 3 get their outstanding reputation through the durability, reliability and quality of Mazda 3 partss. Each Mazda 3 parts is manufactured to the Mazda original design and specification, later it is tested and approved to exceptional standards set by Mazda Corporation. Basically, Mazda 3 partss come with a two year or 36,000 mile warranty. In 2006, the Mazda 3 was updated in order to create an even more dynamic model that exceeds the expectation of loyal Mazda drivers. More so, refreshing and innovative concept and style are made to some of the Mazda 3 parts. Drivers are privileged with more choices with the new Mazdaspeed3, equipped with the latest Mazda 3 parts – the 2.3 liter DISI turbo engine.
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jscro 5:43PM (1/19/2007)
Every car has a defect that makes it easy to break into, it's called a window.
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big jimmy 7:10PM (1/19/2007)
any car can be brocken into
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Emor8t 5:51PM (1/19/2007)
I've been wanting a Mazda 3 for some time, now I know how to get one, thanks AutoBlog!!!!!!!
j/k.
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Richard Warren 6:18PM (1/19/2007)
#1 While true it might make for a bit of a dicey situation on an insurance claim with no damage-----
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Jason 5:58PM (1/19/2007)
AB how could you advertise a new way to break the law? What's wrong with you! I'm out to bust into my neighbor's 3...
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felonious monk 6:09PM (1/19/2007)
Never ever leave stuff in your car. Problem solved.
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MikeW 6:09PM (1/19/2007)
and bump keys are just tricks, design [oversight] flaw.
http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=bump%20key&btnG=Google+Search&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv
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Hank 6:17PM (1/19/2007)
While I do like the guy's 3 across the street, I suppose it'd be terribly difficult to get away with taking it...what with my garage being visible from his living room and all.
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premeditated ejaculating theif 6:24PM (1/19/2007)
DAMN! and I would recommend this car to someone who wanted a Ford Focus instead. Now, I guess I won't. I'll just say pass on both.
I feel like breaking into a vehicle
Thanks Autoblog.
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Carlos 6:30PM (1/19/2007)
Sure beats the old days. I once took my old 1988 Toyota Celica for a muffler repair... the mechanic took my key, walked up to a Camry of about the same age, opened the door with my key, started it up, and told me the muffler sounded fine!
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Alistair 6:46PM (1/19/2007)
About ten years ago, I was in a parking garage when someone asked me if he could use my key to open his car. He'd locked himself out of his Saturn coupe. I had my roommate's Nissan Maxima. I told him he could give it a try, but I'd be shocked if it opened the car.
Sure enough, it popped open with a bit of jiggling. Anyway, a few months ago, I was at trapeze class, and one of the students got locked out of her car. I asked her what she drove and she said a Saturn. I told her the story from years before, and she asked if I could give it a try. I used keys from a few different cars, but I got the car open in about two minutes with a key from a totally different manufacturer. I don't know if this works with non-Saturns, but I've now seen it done twice. So if you drive a Saturn and someone steals your stuff with NO apparent damage to the car...
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Dan 8:19PM (1/19/2007)
Poor Mazda can't win... their cargo ship tips over, they have to replace all the RX-8 engines that were damaged by pussyfoot driving, and now this.
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Ryan 8:48PM (1/19/2007)
"12. Poor Mazda can't win..."
-Funny, I was thinking "poor Mazda 3 owners" :-) I have a Mazda 3 and it's decent, but the Las Vegas heat really kills this car.
So far:
1.) The dash board has cracked twice and they have had to replace it, which is not fun they have to take the two front doors off the car (then they scratch the hell out of those areas)
2.) The stock radio bites the big one AND it's integrated, my fault but still sucks and the CD player does not like the cold weather at this point.
3.) *Something* is up with the transmission, I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.
4.) The brake interlock broke, keeping the car from shifting into drive, so roadside assistance had to literally "drag" the car up a flatbed in park (which might have something to do with #3)
5.) Much of this I think is high heat and no moisture, but the car is a rattle box and makes "whistling" noises through the doors at speeds higher than 60mph (horrid windnoise)
6.)Remember the 80's? Remember when VCR's had that faux "metal" looking coating to emulate metal but if you scratched it, it would leave a black and/or white mark because you tore the coating off? Welcome to an interior of a Mazda.
7.)Rear tailight leaks, just have been lazy to take it in.
8.) The horn broke
9.) Two window regulators failed and have been repalced
10.) And now you can apparently break into one easily.
*BUT* I would buy another one in a heartbeat!
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DP 9:12PM (1/19/2007)
Same advice here - don't get one
Have it for almost three years now
- OEM tires are bad (had them replaced on 35,000 km
(not miles). Have Kumho Escta - much better then OEM Good Year
- 5 spd manual - problems from day one with shifting from 1st to 2nd gear
- breaking dust on rear wheels - never seen anything like that
- alu rims - they are peeling - all 4 of them (seen same issue with Mazdas in UK)
- 2.3l engine is thirsty. Mine is not as bad but friend of mine (Picasso on this blog) has killer. 18 wheeler has better gas mileage then his Mazda 3
- service experience sucks - big time
- Winter (driven in Canada - south of Detroit) is horror story. Starting the car in the morning with temp close to 30 is experience
Buying one - check net and other experiences
I would not recommend one
Cannot wait to get something else
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Typesbad 9:14PM (1/19/2007)
So how do theives find out about things like this? I assume its not by trial and error.
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