25,000+ 2010 Mazda3s recalled over potential wiring harness fault

[mikeyb]

PRESS RELEASE:

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):

MAZDA / MAZDA3 2010
Manufacturer: MAZDA MOTOR CORP Mfr's Report Date: APR 15, 2009

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V126000
N/A

NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Potential Number of Units Affected: 25400

Summary:
MAZDA IS RECALLING 25,400 MY 2010 MAZDA3 VEHICLES. A CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE ENGINE HARNESS AND THE HOUSING OF STARTER MOTOR MAY BE INSUFFICIENT. DUE TO THIS, THE COVERING OF THE HARNESS MAY BE DAMAGED THROUGH VIBRATION DURING OPERATION POSSIBLY CAUSING A SHORT-CIRCUIT BETWEEN CERTAIN HARNESS WIRES AND THE STARTER HOUSING. A SHORT-CIRCUIT CAN RESULT IN ENGINE CONTROL MALFUNCTION AND/OR POOR SHIFT QUALITY.

Consequence:
THE MAIN FUSE MAY BLOW OUT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL AND INABILITY OF RESTART, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL HAVE THE ENGINE HARNESS INSPECT AND ADD A PROTECTOR CLIP ON THE AFFECTED SECTION OF THE HARNESS. IF NECESSARY, THE HARNESS WILL BE REPAIRED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MAY 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Notes:
MAZDA RECALL NO. 5409D. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

 

[Mazda3]

$5 clip, takes 5 mins to put in. No big deal.

 

[tsunami]

ouch that sucks... sounds minor but no one likes to hear the words "recall"

 

[coolmazda5]

...1st year 2nd gen model, I told you so...

 

[my3needsaname]

Nobody likes to hear recall?

I'd say nobody like to hear "Yea, that 2 month old car that doesn't have plates on it yet...you should bring it back, it could short circuit, stall, and kill you. Just an FYI." (loser)
Another reason to stay away from that happy go lucky smile. (don't mean to sound negative, just made me laugh really hard when I read this)

 

[Mazda3]

(jerkit)(deadhorse

 

[altspace]

At least they are acknowledging and fixing it.

 

[my3needsaname]

At least they are acknowledging and fixing it.

Truth!

 

[Super Unique]

sounds like a bandaid fix to me, if vibration causes abbrasion, how does putting a plastic clip on it qualify as a life long repair of the issue? eventually the clip wears out and your back to square one, conveniently it will be on your own dime, so mazda could charge you for their poor design.

 

[altspace]

I'm sure this clip moves the wires away, thus not having anything vibrating against each other.

 

[coolmazda5]

^^ My only comment does not mean that is a general Mazda thing, but my 06 had 2 recalls and several TSBs. All fixes have been done very well, with good materials and no side effects, no band-aids at all.

I doubt Mazda can make money out of this anyway, they better bank on stupid people who buy a 2nd Mazda rather than selling post-warranty parts (...oh wait, LOL)

The less inconveniences the car causes you, the more likely is that you buy from the same brand.