2013 Mazda Mazdaspeed3

Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.

Risk. If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy. Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.

THE SWING ARM THAT ATTACHES THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE LEFT-SIDE SEAT RUNNER UNEXPECTEDLY DETACHED. CLOSE INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A WELD FAILURE / METAL FATIGUE AT THE POINT WHERE THE ARM WAS WELDED TO THE ROD THAT RUNS BELOW THE CUSHION. THE SEAT IS NOW UNSTABLE AND ROCKS IN AN ALARMING WAY, BOTH WHEN ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING. COPIED FROM AN EXISTING COMPLAINT FOR THE 2010 MODEL YEAR BECAUSE IT IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM

DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSES BACKWARDS WHEN REAR-ENDED WHILE STATIONARY ON INTERSTATE AND REMAINS FULLY RECLINED AFTER COLLISION. ATTEMPTS TO RETRACT THE SEAT INTO NORMAL DRIVING POSITION IS UNSUCCESSFUL AS THE SEAT NO LONGER LOCKS INTO POSITION. THE ONLY POSITION WHERE THE SEAT LOCKS INTO PLACE IS IN THE FULLY RECLINED POSITION.

SUMMARY: INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTIVE COATING WAS APPLIED TO THE ENDS OF THE EXTERNAL CYLINDERS OF THE REAR HATCH/LIFT GATE GAS STAY DAMPERS (LIFT SUPPORTS). IF WATER CONTAINING ROAD SALT ENTERS, IT CAN CAUSE CORROSION. OVER TIME, INCREASED CORROSION MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE IT TO BREAK AS THE REAR HATCH OR LIFT GATE IS OPENED. SAFETY RISK: THE REAR HATCH OR LIFT GATE MAY DROP SUDDENLY, AND/OR THE BROKEN PARTS MAY HIT THE CUSTOMER, CAUSING INJURY.