2008 Mazda MAZDA3 tire problems

TIRES:VALVE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED OUT OF CONTROL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE VALVE STEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BECOME DEFLATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #10838889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

TPMS VALVE STEM BROKE WHILE WE WERE SERVICING A VEHICLE. ..UPDATED 10/02/15*BF UPDATED 12/28/2015

NHTSA complaint #10730691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:VALVE

THE TIRE VALVE STEM CRACKED WHILE CHECKING AIR PRESSURE ON ONE OF THE TIRES. AFTER THAT THE OTHER STEMS LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE READY TO FAIL. HAD THEM ALL REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10660965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I STOPPED TO FILL MY TIRES, THE FORCE OF THE AIR HOSE BLEW THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR INTO MY TIRE. I HAD TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE OTHER 3 SENSORS WERE CLOSE TO WEARING THROUGH AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #10649322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

FEBRUARY 2014 1ST VALVE STEM AND SENSOR BROKE. THIS WEEK 2ND AND 3RD VALVE STEM AND SENSORS BROKE. $90-100 EACH TO FIX. RUINED ONE TIRE AND CAUSED SUDDEN FLAT WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10639650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR MODULES HAVE BEEN FAILING REPEATEDLY. NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES, BUT THESE THINGS ARE MADE OF CERAMIC (APPARENTLY), GET FULL OF SALT AND/OR OTHER ROAD DETRITUS, AND THEN FALL APART, CAUSING A FLAT TIRE PLUS ADDITIONAL EXPENSE TO REPLACE THE FANCY THINGS. INSTEAD OF REPORTING A PROBLEM, WHICH IS SUPPOSEDLY WHAT THEY ARE FOR, THEY ARE THE PROBLEM. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THREE SO FAR; I'VE TAKEN TO BUYING THEM ONLINE IN MULTIPLES; GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT A DEALERSHIP WOULD CHARGE ME FOR ONE PLUS THE INSTALLATION. THIS IS GOING TO BE THE RUINATION OF MY VERY NICE TIRES, AS I NEVER KNOW WHEN ONE IS GOING TO FAIL AGAIN, BUT IT'S A LEAD PIPE CERTAINTY THAT THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE. I'M CONSIDERING SIMPLY REPLACING THEM AS THEY FAIL WITH ORDINARY VALVE STEMS, AND COVERING THE DASHBOARD LIGHT WITH A BIT OF ELECTRICIANS' TAPE. NOT QUITE THE INTENDED OUTCOME, I'M THINKING.....

NHTSA complaint #10630233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN MY TIRE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY MY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE GOING COMPLETELY FLAT. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOBODY TOO CLOSE TO ME, SO THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT WHEN I SWERVED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I CHANGED MY TIRE AND MADE IT TO A SERVICE CENTER WHERE I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS MY TPMS AND VALVE STEM ASSEMBLY THAT HAD CORRODED AND FAILED, CAUSING MY TIRE TO IMMEDIATELY GO FLAT. NOT ONLY DID I HAVE TO PAY TO INSTALL A NEW TIRE ($300) I HAD TO REPLACE THE DESTROYED TPMS SENSOR AND REPLACE ANOTHER ONE THAT WAS ALSO CORRODING. ($100 EA). THE ENTIRE INCIDENT COST ME ABOUT $500 DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW FROM MAZDA THAT I HAVE NO POWER TO AVOID. THE ISSUE IS THAT IT IS ILLEGAL TO REMOVE OR NOT HAVE THE SENSORS RE-INSTALLED, AS THEY ARE A SAFETY FEATURE. THE IRONY IS THAT I HAVE TO PAY $100 EACH TO INSTALL A COMPONENT THAT CAUSES ONE OF MY TIRES TO IMMEDIATELY DEFLATE RANDOMLY IN THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS, DEPENDING ON WHEN IT CORRODES AGAIN. IT IS INFURIATING THAT I HAVE TO INSTALL A "SAFETY FEATURE" THAT WILL RANDOMLY CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONTROL OVER MY CAR IN THE NEAR FUTURE. AS IT IS RIGHT NOW, I WILL BE FORCED TO DRIVE WITH A COMPONENT THAT, OVER TIME, WILL CORRODE AND FAIL, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR, THEN RE-INSTALL THE EXACT FAULTY COMPONENT. THE SENSOR / VALVE ASSEMBLY SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN MADE OF A MATERIAL THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION IN THE FIRST PLACE. I WAS LUCKY THIS TIME THAT THIS DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, BUT IF THE SITUATION WERE DIFFERENT I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED OR HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. BOTH MAZDA AND THE GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME NOW. WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN SOMEONE DOES DIE FROM THIS, AND IT COMES OUT THAT THE ISSUE HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR YEARS, BUT NOBODY DID ANYTHING?

NHTSA complaint #10629128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

ABOUT A YEAR AGO I BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES FOR MY MAZDA 3. SIX MONTHS LATER I WENT IN FOR MY ROUTINE ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION. THEY SAID MY TWO REAR TIRES WERE WORN DOWN TO SHOWING THE WIRING AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A BLOW OUT. THEY REFUSED TO PUT THE TIRES BACK ON FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. I HAD TO PURCHASE TWO USED TIRES THAT HAD ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE MY OTHER TIRES HAD ON THEM. AGAIN 5-6 MONTHS LATER I GO INTO LES SCHWAB FOR MY TIRE ROTATION AND ALIGNMENT AND AGAIN THEY TELL ME MY TWO REAR TIRES ARE SHOWING EXCESSIVE WEAR. WHEN COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING TO GET TIRES SO SOON THEY STATED THAT MAZDA DESIGNED THE CAR THIS WAY TO HAVE A TOE IN ALIGNMENT. BASICALLY THIS WILL BE A RECURRING ISSUE UNLESS I PUT A $500 CAMBER KIT ON THE BACK. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THAT THEY SAID IT MAY CHANGE THE WAY THE CAR HANDLES AND HAVE LOUDER ROAD NOISE. NONE OF THIS WAS MENTIONED BY MAZDA WHEN I PURCHASED THAT CAR BACK IN 2008. NOT ONLY IS THIS ISSUE CAUSING ME TO SPEND MONEY EVERY 5-6 MONTHS BUT IF I WERE TO GO TO LONG WITHOUT CHECKING MY TIRES I COULD HAVE A BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH. I SEE THIS AS BEING A VERY BIG ISSUE WITH THE MAZDA AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MAZDA HAVE TO RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10567928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

TPMS LIGHT ALERTED LOW TIRE PRESSURE CONDITION. FOUND TIRE WITH LOW PRESSURE. DURING INSPECTION OF TIRE, A SMALL AIR LEAK WAS DISCOVERED AT THE VALVE STEM MID SECTION OF THREADS DUE TO CORROSION. THE TPMS SENSOR ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT WAS NECESSARY TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY EIGHTEEN MONTHS AFTERWARDS, THE SAME EXACT FAILURE RE-OCCURRED IN ANOTHER TPMS SENSOR. THE ALUMINUM ALLOY VALVE STEMS ON THESE SENSORS ARE HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION DAMAGE AND NEED TO BE RE-CALLED. THIS FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE SENSORS, ESPECIALLY WHERE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THESE ARE DRIVEN WHERE ROAD "SALTING" IS ROUTINE. THE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS LOW TIRE PRESSURE CONDITION CAUSED BY THESE FAULTY STEMS MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN DEATH.

NHTSA complaint #10563553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE OVERSENSITIVE THE WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN WHEN THE TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED.

NHTSA complaint #10563021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AFTER PURCHASE, I GOT A FLAT TIRE DRIVING ON 1-290 IN CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE ISSUE, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE TIRE SENSOR VALVE HAD GONE INTO THE TIRE. I REPLACED SAID TIRE, AND SINCE THEN I HAVE THE ISSUE THREE MORE TIMES ON ALL FOUR TIRES TOTAL. THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME WERE TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS APRIL 2013 AND THE FOURTH ONE TODAY 12/17/13. THE SENSORS SEEMED TO BE ROTTING OUT AND THE STEM ENDS UP CORRODING. I HAVE SPENT AT LEAST 1,000 IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF FIXING THIS ISSUE AND IT IS VERY INFURIATING TO SAY THE LEAST. IT SEEMS THAT LOOKING ONLINE THIS IS AN ISSUE WHICH MANY HAVE HAD, YET THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10556330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

I GOT A FLAT TIRE YESTERDAY BECAUSE MY TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR VALVE HAD FALLEN INSIDE MY TIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2008. THANKFULLY, I WAS STUCK IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND ONLY GOING 20 MPH. I REALIZED MY TIRE WAS FLAT WHEN THE SENOR LIGHT WENT OFF AND MY CAR VEERED TO THE LEFT AND FORTUNATELY IT WAS THE EMERGENCY LANE OR I WOULD HAVE HIT A CAR. TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE SHOP AND THE TPS SENSOR NOW NEEDS REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD CORRODED AND DAMAGED THE INSIDE OF MY TIRE AS WELL. WHEN THE MECHANIC LOOKED AT MY OTHER TIRES AND TPS SENSOR/STEM VALVE WAS CORRODED. THE THIRD TIRE IS FINE FOR NOW BUT IS SHOWING SIGNS OF CORRODING AS WELL. THE 4TH ONE WAS REPLACED A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND APPEARS OK. MAZDA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM ASAP AND REIMBURSE EVERYONE THAT HAS HAD TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF I WAS GOING ANY FASTER THAN 20MPH. ITS SAD THAT SOMEONE HAS TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT OR DIE FOR A RECALL TO HAPPEN. TO REPLACE BOTH SENSORS AND FIX MY TIRE I GOING TO BE PAYING OVER $300 FOR MAZDA'S ISSUE. I TAKE GREAT PRIDE AND CARE OF MY CAR, I BOUGHT IT NEW; NOTHING ON THAT CARE SHOULD BE CORRODING WHEN IT IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. NOT OUR FAULT AS CONSUMERS THAT THIS IS HAPPENING, FIX THIS NOW MAZDA!!

NHTSA complaint #10545674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT MAZDA HAS NOT RECALLED THE TPMS ON THE 2008 MAZDA 3'S. ALL OF THE TPMS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED ON MY VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, I WILL BE GETTING THE LAST TWO FIXED/REPAIRED COMING THIS MONDAY. ALL OF THEM WERE EITHER CRACKED OR CORRODED. THE FIRST INCIDENT RESULTED IN ONE OF MY TIRES BEING "SHREDDED" ON THE INSIDE. PART OF THE KIT BROKE OFF AND WAS INSIDE THE RIM. I WAS ACCUSED BY A DEALERSHIP THAT I MUST HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON A FLAT TIRE. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY TIMES THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART. MAZDA SHOULD BE RECALLING THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10534316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ON JULY 29, 2013 I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY 2008 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK. THE ISSUE RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT PULL TO THE LEFT SIDE AND LOST OF AIR/FLAT TIRE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE REASON BEHIND THIS FAULT WAS A DEFECTIVE VALVE STEM. AFTER INSPECTING ALL THE OTHER WHEELS, IT TURNS OUT ALL THE VALVE STEMS ARE CRACKED. SOME INITIAL RESEARCH TELLS ME ITS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THOSE CARS AND MAZDA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT. AT THIS POINT I HAVE CALLED MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND MAZDA CORPORATE OFFICE AND NONE OF THEM WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WILL BE 4X $120 FOR ALL TPMS SENSORS WITH VALVE STEMS AND 2X $115 FOR BOTH FRONT TIRES. HOPEFULLY THERE IS A RECALL COMING SOON...

NHTSA complaint #10532747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ON JULY 29, 2013 I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY 2008 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK. THE ISSUE RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT PULL TO THE LEFT SIDE AND LOST OF AIR/FLAT TIRE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE REASON BEHIND THIS FAULT WAS A DEFECTIVE VALVE STEM. AFTER INSPECTING ALL THE OTHER WHEELS, IT TURNS OUT ALL THE VALVE STEMS ARE CRACKED. SOME INITIAL RESEARCH TELLS ME ITS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THOSE CARS AND MAZDA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT. AT THIS POINT I HAVE CALLED MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND MAZDA CORPORATE OFFICE AND NONE OF THEM WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WILL BE 4X $120 FOR ALL TPMS SENSORS WITH VALVE STEMS AND 2X $115 FOR BOTH FRONT TIRES. HOPEFULLY THERE IS A RECALL COMING SOON...

NHTSA complaint #10532748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

TIRE VALVE STEMS FALL OUT OF THE TIRES: MY TIRES HAVE BEEN LEAKING AIR PERIODICALLY FOR ABOUT A YEAR. I NOTICED ONE OF THE TIRE VALVE STEMS WAS MISSING THE OUTER NUT COVER. WHEN I WENT TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRE, AIR CAME OUT AROUND THE VALVE STEM. I CAREFULLY DROVE TO MY GARAGE AND BEFORE I GOT THERE, THE ENTIRE VALVE STEM HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE TIRE. THE MECHANIC SAYS THE THREADS ON THE VALVE STEM WERE ALL OXIDIZED AND THE NUT ROTTED OFF. AFTER INSPECTING THE OTHER TIRES, WE NOTICED ANOTHER ONE WAS MISSING THE OUTER NUT ALSO AND HEAVILY OXIDIZED. I HAD THE MECHANIC PULL OFF ALL 4 TIRES AND INSTALL NEW VALVE STEMS TO ALL TIRES. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE WITH MAZDA AND SEE PEOPLE COMPLAINING ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.

NHTSA complaint #10523437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH IN THE CENTER LANE OF AN EXPRESS ROAD. WHILE DRIVING, THE TPMS SENSOR WARNING LIGHT/SOUND CAME ON AND THE TIRE WENT IMMEDIATELY FLATE - TOTAL CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT AND WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE TIRE, THE TPMS SENSOR HAD FALLEN OUT CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT (IT IS ATTACHED TO THE VALVE STEM) THE TREADS WERE CORRODED AND THE NUT CRACKED CAUSING THE SENSOR FALL OUT AND THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. THIS ONE WAS REPLACED. 8 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED BUT THIS TIME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE NUT CRACKED AND THE SENSOR FELL OUT CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. THANKFULLY THIS TIME IT HAPPENED JUST AFTER I HAD PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY FOR A BATHROOM BREAK AND WAS NOT DRIVING AT SPEED WHEN THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED - ALTHOUGH IF IT HAD HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES PRIOR, I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS. UPON EXAMINATION WE FOUND THAT THE THREAD WERE AGAIN CORRODED, CAUSING THE NUT TO CRACK AND THE SENSOR TO FALL OUT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION - CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A TIRE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER. THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY BY MAZDA.

NHTSA complaint #10513744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IS UNRELIABLE. SPECIFIC INCIDENTS: 1. WARNING LIGHT FLASHES OR LIGHTS WHEN THE TIRE PRESSURE IS WITHIN THE SPECIFICATION LIMITS. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. 2. ONE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FELL APART ON INSPECTION, AFTER WARNING OF A LEAK. DEALER REPLACED IT AT NO CHARGE. 3. ONE OF THE TIRE VALVES (AND HENCE PRESSURE SENSOR) WAS LEAKING AIR WHEN THE VALVE CAP WAS REMOVED, REPLACING THE VALVE CAP HELD THE AIR IN THE TIRE. DEALER ADJUSTED THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR AT NO CHARGE. 4. ONE OF THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS FAILED. DEALER STATED IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND CHARGED ME FOR REPLACEMENT. CAR IS NOT DRIVEN OFF ROAD. SENSORS SEEMED TO BE MORE IRREGULAR AFTER DRIVING ON ROUGH HIGHWAY ROADS, WHERE A LAYER OF ASPHALT HAD BEEN REMOVED.

NHTSA complaint #10484070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES AN HOUR THE IN-TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM'S RIM ATTACHING NUT CORRODED OFF OF THE VALVE STEM ON THE TIRE. TIRE PRESSURE DROPPED IMMEDIATELY AND HAD TO STOP AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE VALVE STEM FELL INTO THE TIRE ONCE PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED. ALL 4 TIRES ALL CORRODED EVENLY AND NEED TO HAVE THE STEMS AND NUTS REPLACED. I'VE OPTED FOR A RUBBER VALVE STEM WHILST SUBMITTING COMPLAINTS. I STILL HAVE NOT HAD THE 3 OTHER TIRES FIXED. REPLACEMENT NON-ALUMINUM TPMS ARE 35-50 A PIECE + INSTALLATION. 1. CHEAP NUTS THAT CRACK AND FALL OFF TIRE STEMS. 2. ALUMINUM STEMS THAT CORRODE COMPLETELY REMOVING THE THREADS. 3. HIGH SPEED CRASH HAZARD.

NHTSA complaint #10473118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

LARGE BUBBLE FORMED ON OUTSIDE SIDEWALL OF TWO TIRES. TIRES HAVE APPROX. 20,000 MILES ON THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10467952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN THE PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT WENT OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON AT ALL. I HAD ASSUMED THAT IS WAS JUST SOME KIND OF ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE FOR A BIT UNTIL I NOTICED THE TELL-TALE SIGNS OF A FLAT TIRE. THE WAS ODD SINCE I HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED NEW TIRES WITH LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THEN AND THE WAS NO DEBRIS IN THE ROADWAY THAT WOULD ACCOUNT FOR THE RAPID DEFLATION. WHEN I PULLED OVER THE TIRE VALVE AND WAS GONE AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE INTERIOR SIDEWALL. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE TIRE PLACE HE PULLED THE TIRE OFF TO TRY TO FIND THE SENSOR TO NO AVAIL. HE SAID IN HIS 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. ON CLOSER INSPECTION WE NOTICED A CRACK IN ANOTHER ONE OF THE VALVE STEMS. THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND NOT DUE TO COMPONENT MANUFACTURING, BUT IT SEEMS ODD THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN TO MULTIPLE VALVES LIKES THAT. AS AN ADDENDUM, THE ONLY OTHER TIME I HAVE TO CALL ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WAS WHEN I RANDOM GOT A FLAT TIRE AND WHEN I TRIED TO REFILL THE TIRE THE VALVE PUSHED IN. I TOOK IT TOO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY PROMPTLY REPLACED THE VALVE AND SENSOR WITHOUT CHARGE. I AM GLAD I HAD NEW TIRES WITH RUN FLAT TECHNOLOGY. IT THIS HAD HAPPENED WITH THE OLD TIRES I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW MUCH WORSE THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN.

NHTSA complaint #10452790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

TPMS FAILURE. THE LIGHT CONSTANTLY KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. ONE OF MY TIRES WAS VERY LOW OVERNIGHT. I WENT TO A GAS STATION TO GET AIR, AND THE VALVE WAS MISSING. COMPLETELY OFF. I HAVE READ OTHER REPORTS ON THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SAME MAKE AND YEAR. 2008 MAZDA 3. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10440363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

TIRE SENSOR CAME ON DURING DRIVE INTO WORK. MADE TO CALL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BY LUNCH TIME THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT AND THE STEM OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR HAD COMPLETELY SNAPPED OFF. WHEN I GOT THE CAR TO A DEALER THEY STATE 3 OF THE 4 MONITORS HAD CORRODED TO THE POINT THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED. THIS ADDED NEARLY $400 DOLLARS TO GETTING THE TIRES ON THE CAR REPLACED. HOW IS IT A TIRE SENSOR CAN'T LAST AS LONG AS THE TIRES ON A BRAND NEW CAR? IF A TIRE SENSOR IS ADDED TO A CAR TO MAKE IT SAFER AND MORE EFFICIENT MAYBE IT SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS AND NOT CAUSE THE CAR TO BECOME UNSAFE.

NHTSA complaint #10436006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

FACTORY TIRES (GOODYEAR RSA) WORE OUT IN <15K, EXCESSIVE INSIDE WEAR. REPLACED WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA GRID G019 205/50/R17. STARTED SHOWING INSIDE WEAR AROUND 45K, AND EXTREMELY LOUD ROAD NOISE AT 50K. ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AS PER WARRANTY REQUIREMENTS. ALIGNMENT IS FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. CAR HAS NEVER TOUCHED A TRACK AND IS USED AS A COMMUTER VEHICLE. ONLINE REPORTS HAVE BLAMED THE CAMBER WHICH IS NOT ADJUSTABLE ON THE MAZDA 3. SO THIS ISSUE WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. SERIOUS DEFECT AND DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #10435573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

TIRE VALVE SPLIT AND ENTERED TIRE WELL CAUSING IT TO GO FLAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY. NOT ONLY DID I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRE VALVE 115.00 $ BUT I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE SINCE THE LITTLE WAYS THAT I DROVE ON IT TO PULL OVER SHREDDED THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE!!! THIS IS NOW THE SECOND VALVE THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED, LUCKILY THE FIRST WAS DISCOVERED BY THE MECHANIC WHILE REPLACING MY TIRES. THE OTHER TWO SEEM TO BE ON THERE WAY OUT AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #10434316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

2008 MAZDA 3 4-DOOR - TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR VALVE IS CORRODED AND SPLIT. A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON-LINE ABOUT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WILL CHECK IF WARRANTY COVERS REPLACEMENT TPM, BUT FROM READING OTHER COMPLAINTS, PROBABLY NOT! I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY NOW. THE WARNING LIGHT GOES ON BECAUSE IT APPEARS AIR IS LEAKING FROM THE VALVE STEM. MAZDA SHOULD RECALL ALL THESE POOR QUALITY TPM'S.

NHTSA complaint #10433710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

OWN A 2008 MAZDA 3. PURCHASED USED, BUT WAS SOLD NEW AND SERVICED LOCALLY TO ORIGINAL OWNER. TPMS INDICATED LOW TIRE. WHEN TRIED TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRE, VALVE AND SENSOR BROKE/CORRODED AND ALL THE AIR CAME OUT OF TIRE. FLATBEDDED TO DEALERSHIP OUT OF TOWN WHERE I WAS LOCATED.. NEW VALVE INSTALLED AND TIRE FIXED . PART WAS $120 FOR VALVE SENSOR PIECE. CALLED MY LOCAL MAZDA PLACE TO SEE IF THIS COULD POSSIBLY BE RIGHT FOR SUCH A SMALL PIECE AND TO SEE IF IT SHOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY. THEY CONFIRMED NO WARRANTY AND AVERAGE PRICE. NOW A SECOND TIRE INDICATED LOW, AND TRIED TO CHECK PRESSURE AND AS SOON AS THE TIRE VALVE CAP WAS TURNED AND REMOVED STEM/SENSOR BROKE AGAIN IN THIS DIFFERENT TIRE AND NOW HAS LOST AIR . NOW NEEDS REPLACING. AFRAID THIS WILL BE THE SAME ISSUE FOR THE REMAINING 2 TIRES. NEED TO STILL GET SNOWS OFF, BUT DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR THE STEM/SENSORS AT $120 A PIECE! HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THIS ISSUE!! A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE ... THIS IS UNSAFE IF IT HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AS MANY HAVE MENTIONED!! MAZDA DEALERS TOLD ME I MUST HAVE HIT A CURB OR FROM POTHOLES IN THE WINTER. THIS IS NOT THE CASE... NOT FOR ALL 4 TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN.

NHTSA complaint #10403918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

TIRE VALVE STEM CORROSION ON 2008 MAZDA 3. ON 5/27/2011 TPMS INDICATOR CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT AIR INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE THAT WAS FLAT AND THE STEM VALVE WENT INTO THE TIRE. AFTER SEEING THAT, I CHECKED THE REMAINING VALVES AND ALL ARE CORRODED. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE VALVE IS ABOUT TO GO INTO THE TIRE AND THE BACK TIRES VALVES ARE CRACKED. I NOW HAVE TO HAVE MY CAR PUT ON A FLAT BED BECAUSE MY HALF SPARE IS ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND NOT HAVING ANOTHER SPARE TIRE, THIS CAR IS NOW A DEATH TRAP AND IS VERY UNSAFE. I ALSO NOTICED THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS MY OTHER TIRES COULD GO FLAT AT ANYTIME NOW WHICH MAKES IT A HAZARD TO MYSELF AND OTHERS.

NHTSA complaint #10403661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

ON 4/19/2011 I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY TPMS WENT OFF. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION TO PUT AIR IN MY TIRE. AS I PUT THE AIR PUMP TO THE VALVE, THE VALVE SIMPLY DISAPPEARED AND THE TIRE WENT COMPLETELY FLAT. I CALLED AAA AND TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY SAID THE TIRE WAS PERFECTLY FINE AND REPLACED IT (WITHOUT THE TPMS). I EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE TPMS, WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. ON 4/25/2011, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE TPMS WENT OFF AGAIN. THIS TIME ANOTHER TIRE HAD GONE COMPLETELY FLAT. WHEN AAA ARRIVED, THE SERVICEMAN FOUND THE BROKEN PARTS OF THE PIECE THAT HOLDS THE VALVE STEM (AND THE TPMS) IN THE WHEEL. WITHOUT THIS PIECE, THE VALVE WAS ABLE TO SLIP INTO THE WHEEL (WHICH IS WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME ON 4/19). THE PIECES WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED AND HAD CRACKED IN 3 PLACES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TPMS (WHICH WAS NOT, AGAIN, COVERED UNDER WARRANTY). ONLY AFTER I INSISTED DID THEY REPLACE THE REMAINING TWO VALVE STEMS WHICH ALSO HAD CLEAR SIGNS OF CRACKING. THIS WILL MOST LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN IN THE FUTURE AS THE TWO METALS OF THE VALVE STEM AND THE PIECE HOLDING IT ON BEGIN TO CORRODE. UPDATED IVOQ 06/28/11

NHTSA complaint #10402016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:VALVE

ON 4/19/2011 I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY TPMS WENT OFF. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION TO PUT AIR IN MY TIRE. AS I PUT THE AIR PUMP TO THE VALVE, THE VALVE SIMPLY DISAPPEARED AND THE TIRE WENT COMPLETELY FLAT. I CALLED AAA AND TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY SAID THE TIRE WAS PERFECTLY FINE AND REPLACED IT (WITHOUT THE TPMS). I EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE TPMS, WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. ON 4/25/2011, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE TPMS WENT OFF AGAIN. THIS TIME ANOTHER TIRE HAD GONE COMPLETELY FLAT. WHEN AAA ARRIVED, THE SERVICEMAN FOUND THE BROKEN PARTS OF THE PIECE THAT HOLDS THE VALVE STEM (AND THE TPMS) IN THE WHEEL. WITHOUT THIS PIECE, THE VALVE WAS ABLE TO SLIP INTO THE WHEEL (WHICH IS WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME ON 4/19). THE PIECES WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED AND HAD CRACKED IN 3 PLACES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TPMS (WHICH WAS NOT, AGAIN, COVERED UNDER WARRANTY). ONLY AFTER I INSISTED DID THEY REPLACE THE REMAINING TWO VALVE STEMS WHICH ALSO HAD CLEAR SIGNS OF CRACKING. THIS WILL MOST LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN IN THE FUTURE AS THE TWO METALS OF THE VALVE STEM AND THE PIECE HOLDING IT ON BEGIN TO CORRODE. UPDATED IVOQ 06/28/11

NHTSA complaint #10402016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.