2006 Mazda MAZDA3: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Sep 13, 2013 · Engine · 134,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mazda mazda3. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 65 MPH, he heard a loud knocking noise as the vehicle spontaneously combusted. The contact mentioned that the flames originated from under the hood area. The police and fire department were summoned to the scene. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and was not diagnosed to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

Filed Apr 14, 2011 · Suspension · WI

I had gotten a flat tire after hitting a pot hole and knew that I was going to need new tires shortly anyways so I had them put on a used tire to get me through two weeks and while during the two weeks I was gone for a few days and had new breaks put on and asked them to just double check to make sure there was no other damage- there was- a busted strut on my front passenger side (side that I got a flat). I waited until I got home from a vacation (car wasn't driven) and got that fixed but everyone was surprised with the strut being out. All 4 tires were replaced as were both front struts. Car was great for ~2 wks. Then it was loud and terrible vibrations. After arguing and complaining a month later they replaced tires for me because two weren't even keeping tire pressure and then I remembered that a few months prior I was at the mazda dealership (where I really can't stand the jerks!-they're awful!) and they said I had a busted motor mount but refused to show me. I had my main dealer check it out but they found nothing then a family friend, but again nothing. Ff to december and I give in and go back to mazda- motor mount would be in multiple pieces if it wasn't in a capsule like device. In january they got my part in and replaced it- also knocking out a stopper- and vibrations stopped. Mount shouldn't have gone out so fast- at initial dx I think car was at 45k-50k miles (late summer of '10) I think there's a defect with mounts (mine was passenger side over tire area) and also with struts. Everyone has told me- mazda, my dealer (zimbrick-who is absolutely amazing!), and a few other service centers that the struts should've lasted a lot longer.

Filed Apr 14, 2011 · Body · WI

I had gotten a flat tire after hitting a pot hole and knew that I was going to need new tires shortly anyways so I had them put on a used tire to get me through two weeks and while during the two weeks I was gone for a few days and had new brakes put on and asked them to just double check to make sure there was no other damage- there was- a busted strut on my front passenger side (side that I got a flat). I waited until I got home from a vacation (car wasn't driven) and got that fixed but everyone was surprised with the strut being out. All 4 tires were replaced as were both front struts. Car was great for ~2 wks. Then it was loud and terrible vibrations. After arguing and complaining a month later they replaced tires for me because two weren't even keeping tire pressure and then I remembered that a few months prior I was at the mazda dealership (where I really can't stand the jerks!-they're awful!) and they said I had a busted motor mount but refused to show me. I had my main dealer check it out but they found nothing then a family friend, but again nothing. Ff to december and I give in and go back to mazda- motor mount would be in multiple pieces if it wasn't in a capsule like device. In january they got my part in and replaced it- also knocking out a stopper- and vibrations stopped. Mount shouldn't have gone out so fast- at initial dx I think car was at 45k-50k miles (late summer of '10) I think there's a defect with mounts (mine was passenger side over tire area) and also with struts. Everyone has told me- mazda, my dealer (zimbrick-who is absolutely amazing!), and a few other service centers that the struts should've lasted a lot longer.

Filed Jan 22, 2011 · Body, Engine · 29,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Following a rear end collision, my 2006 mazda3 mileage dropped from ~24mpg to ~8mpg, with no torque at all from ~20mph. Significant steering trouble, awful tire noise, and loud knocking when turning were dismissed by the local dealer as "well within specs". Requested brake caliper and alignment check, refused by the same dealer; tech performed a road test, declared the problem due to tire feathering and demonstrated 120mph tight curve as remedy. Three sets of tires, one set of wheels [3 of oem were warped], entire complement of motor mounts, two sets of rotors later, I'm about to replace caliper mounts and axles. Car is unsafe, and dealership disregard of warranty and tsbs, and of basic safety standards was outrageous, especially given (ongoing) [spine injury from collision was nearly fatal] circumstances.

Filed Aug 1, 2008 · Engine · 26,402 miles · CA

I bought the car new from tracy mazda in june of 2006. In april of 2008 I started hearing a slight ticking noise coming from the engine. This was shortly after the last oil change which was done by speedee oil changers. The mileage was 25,675, 4/18/08, when speedee changed the oil and it was 26,402, 4/25/08,when I took the car into tracy mazda so they could check on the ticking noise. The service department finally got back to me several days later and said it sounds like a rod knock from cyl #1. They asked for the maintenance records which I then provided, except for one oil change which I had performed myself ( minus the filter which required a special tool). On 5/13/08 tracy mazda's service department called and informed me they would not fix the vehicle under the warranty. It was going to cost me approximately $6,000.00 to fix a car that didn't even have 30,000 miles on it. I declined to have them fix it right then and went and got the car. I had the first two oil changes performed at tracy mazda's service department. The next was performed by speedee oil changers. After that I changed the oil myself. The fifth oil change was on 4/18/08, when I took it back to speed. The mileage between the two speed changes was 14,458. I performed one oil change between the two documented which would make it approximately 7,200 miles between the two. This is a little more than what is suggested between oil changes but not enough to warrant mazda declining warranty repair. I plan on taking this up with mazda's upper management in hopes they might make this right.