2013 Mazda Mazda2

Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.

Risk. If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If the bolts are loose, they will be replaced and then correctly tightened, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9316D.

TAKATA RECALL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA 2. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE CD PLAYER AND FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GROOVE MAZDA (LOCATED AT 10301 E ARAPAHOE RD, CENTENNIAL, CO 80112, (720) 399-4467) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. *TR*JB

TAKATA RECALL

DRIVER'S SEAT CAME UNATTACHED FROM THE FLOOR MOUNTED SLIDES/BRACKETS THAT ALLOW FOR LEG LENGTH ADJUSTMENTS. CAR WAS IN MOTION, TRAVELLING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, AND IN THE CENTER OF THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC AT THE TIME. I PULLED OVER AND EXAMINED THE SEAT. WASHERS WERE UNDER THE SEAT, AND THE SEAT WOULD MOVE UP AND DOWN 8-10 INCHES ON THE LEFT (DOOR-SIDE) SIDE. SEAT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO BRACKETS/SLIDES ON THE RIGHT (CENTER-LINE / GEAR-LEVER) SIDE.

A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE 2011 MAZDA 2 MODELS RELATED TO A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTER MECHANISM BECOMING LOOSE. BASED ON THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE, MY 2013 MAZDA 2 IS EXHIBITING THE SAME ISSUE. THE SEAT 'ROCKS' BACK AND FORTH, AS IF IT'S ONLY PARTLY SECURED. I CONTACTED MAZDA AND THEY REITERATED THAT THE 2013 MODEL IS NOT CURRENTLY COVERED UNDER THEIR RECALL, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM IS CLEARLY PRESENT ON MINE. IT IS MAZDA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT ALL SEAT MECHANISMS ARE FUNCTIONING SAFELY AND SECURELY. THE ISSUE WAS NOTICED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND HAS SUBSEQUENTLY GOTTEN WORSE.

CLUNKING NOISE AND FEEL, AND EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING MECHANISM DURING LOW SPEED TURNS. THE PROBLEM BEGAN DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. INTERNET FORUMS INDICATE THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE CAUSE IS FAILURE OF PART NUMBER DR613210XF, KNOWN AS THE ENERGY ABSORBER SHAFT. MAZDA IS AWARE OF THE FLAW.

PROGRESSIVE POWER STEERING RACK FAILURE POWER STEERING RACK, WHILE TURNING, MAKES AUDIBLE CLUNKING/POPPING NOISE ACCOMPANIED BY VIBRATION AND EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING. MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN MAKING A LOW-SPEED THREE POINT TURN, I.E. BACKING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE MAY RESULT IF NOT CAUGHT OR ADDRESSED EARLY. OCCURRED IN A NEW, VERY LOW-MILAGE VEHICLE.

REAR SHOCKS HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER 65,000 MI. NO SIGN OF AN ISSUE PRIOR. DROVE TO AND FROM WORK ON A SUNDAY, MONDAY MORNING ALL FLUID HAS LEAKED ONTO MY DRIVEWAY.

TAKATA INFLATORS , MY CAR MAKES A RUMBLING NOIRS COMMING FROM MY BACK TIRES WHICH SOUNDS LIKE THE REAR WHEEL HUB AND THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT IT'S MY BACK TIRES AND WENT TO ANOTHER PLACE AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS THE REAR WHEEL HUBS

RATTLING NOISE AND KNOWING OF STEERING COLUMN. INDEPENDENT SERVICE WON'T REPAIR SINCE THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL FOR FAULTY STEERING KNUCKLE ON SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL CAR. ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURE MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER RECALL BECAUSE OF VIN NUMBER.

ON THE NIGHT DEC 24,2014, I HAD PICKED UP MY RENTAL CAR(1013 MAZDA 2 SILVER SEDAN) FROM DOLLAR RENTAL CAR AT BWI AIRPORT. ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER I DROVE OFF THE LOT, ABOUT 5 MILES AWAY FROM THE PICKUP GARAGE, I NOTICED THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE TO TURN AROUND AND RETURN THE CAR, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TREAD WAS SEPARATED. THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY NEGLIGENCE ON PART OF THE RENTAL CAR COMPANY. WHOEVER DID THE MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY CHECK NEVER SHOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO BE DRIVEN OFF THE LOT. NO WHERE IN THE RENTAL CONTRACT DOES IT STATE THAT THE RENTER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPERATIONAL & MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF REFUELING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTRACT ALSO DOESN'T STATE THAT THE RENTER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY NEGLIGENT OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PERFORMED BY THE OWNER/RENTAL CAR COMPANY. I WAS FORTUNATE I DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT. BECAUSE DOLLAR/THRIFTY RENTAL CAR REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE/RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM OR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS NEGLIGENCE, THIS PROBLEM WILL EVENTUALLY HAPPEN TO ANOTHER CUSTOMER. *TR

GAS PEDAL STUCK DOWN CAUSING UNWANTED ACCELERATING. *TR

UPON STOPPING, TURNING OFF VEHICLE AND REMOVING IGNITION FOB KEY; FOB KEY AND IGNITION SWITCH WERE VERY, VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH. *TR