6 keyless entry/car key in 8,500 miles

[Apple Guy]

Who has had bad luck with Mazda's keyless entry/car key units for the Mazda 5? We have gone through 6 so far with 8,500 miles on our car in 11 months when the car was bought from new. What happens when my warranty runs out?

From buttons stop working to intermittently working (5) from being a cheap quality to the whole unit coming apart.(1)

Please post if you have had to replace your keyless entry units too.

 

[Benfolio]

The original keys had a cheap chromed plastic end on them that was later updated to a metal style (like all other Mazda retractable keys), that seemed to solve most of our customers (and my) problems.
Other than that... they keys are kinda chintzy, the retractable half tends to get really loose after awhile, and ANY slight bend in the key will make it get stuck while retraced, or won't let it retract into it's slot at all. You can't be real rough with them, or get them wet either. Most of the problems we see with keys is abuse related. I won't even get into the issues we have with the Smart Card keyless entry keys.....
BUT, if you want to go for a less expensive alternative, you can get a 'normal' key cut and programmed, without the fob. The same key for older 6's and 3's will work, and they're afraction of the cost of a whole new key assembly, once you're out of warranty.

 

[Apple Guy]

Abuse related means pushing ANY button more then 100 times. Seems Mazda doesn't know how to find a supplier that knows how to make the underside of buttons to last. Our Astro Van controllers lasted 75,000 miles before replacing. My brothers VW flip key keyless entry unit is at 83,000 and still going.

I have gone over with my wife to not push hard on the buttons and she says she is not. Junk is junk when the keypad is made by Yugo.

The Mazda guy at my dealership said they go through a lot of these, Mazda just keeps warrantying them.


I have another question, what kind of mileage is your wife getting on her 5? We are only getting 18-19 city and 24-25 hwy 2006 AT Touring with 40 psi tire pressure and 10% corn gas over here in MN.

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

Who has had bad luck with Mazda's keyless entry/car key units for the Mazda 5? We have gone through 6 so far with 8,500 miles on our car in 11 months when the car was bought from new. What happens when my warranty runs out?

From buttons stop working to intermittently working (5) from being a cheap quality to the whole unit coming apart.(1)

Please post if you have had to replace your keyless entry units too.

There is a recall on the FOBs as the ground connection at the batter is defective.

If that does not solve it reboot all keys with dealer

 

[Rocket]

Benfolio - will the keys with the remote integrated into the keyhead work?

 

[Mazda5wannabe]

The only problem I've had is that the white text is wearing off.

 

[the_saint]

The only problem I've had is that the white text is wearing off.

+1

 

[Benfolio]

Benfolio - will the keys with the remote integrated into the keyhead work?

Those on the '08 Tribute, right? Different key cut, TOTALLY different system. Would not program as the Ford keys have PATS, and the Mazda keys (now) use Immobilizer.