Any freezing latch solution yet?

[jv8]

It's getting cold and I thought a redesigned side door latch would be here by now. My dealer doesn't even acknowledge the freezing latch is a common problem! They say there are no TSB's or redesigned latches in the system.

Anybody have a solution or do I have to go through another winter with this thing?!

I was willing to give Mazda one season to work out the 5 bugs... but I can't keep this car if I can't trust the doors to close!

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

Mazda Canada has a fix for my unit anyways. They installed the GT latches in my GS unit.

Problem solved. You have to get your dealer to contact mazda and have them authorise the use of the different latch.

 

[jv8]

Mazda Canada has a fix for my unit anyways. They installed the GT latches in my GS unit.

Problem solved. You have to get your dealer to contact mazda and have them authorise the use of the different latch.

Thanks Zoom5Zoom.

Did they tell you what was different about the Canadian GT latches?

I wonder how those latches correspond to the US versions.

 

[afticarab]

Mazda Canada has a fix for my unit anyways. They installed the GT latches in my GS unit.

Problem solved. You have to get your dealer to contact mazda and have them authorise the use of the different latch.

I have a GT and have had the freezing lock issue, its not specific to the GS model. In Canada the GT model adds a small electric motor to pull and secure the sliding door so you don't have to slam it. BTW never let someone who owns a Caravan close your door - Ouch! http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2774076&postcount=106

 

[was98strat]

Mazda Canada has a fix for my unit anyways. They installed the GT latches in my GS unit.

Problem solved. You have to get your dealer to contact mazda and have them authorise the use of the different latch.

I think that IS The fix for the GS latch freezing problem

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

I have a GT and have had the freezing lock issue, its not specific to the GS model. In Canada the GT model adds a small electric motor to pull and secure the sliding door so you don't have to slam it. BTW never let someone who owns a Caravan close your door - Ouch! http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2774076&postcount=106

I dont think any dealership used the correct grease in the first place JMO

 

[afticarab]

I dont think any dealership used the correct grease in the first place JMO

I get the impression you work for a Mazda Dealer? I'm not so confident that grease alone which naturally deteriorates with temps and conditions could be more than a temporary interim solution for an obvious design flaw. I was told by my Mazda dealer back in February that the grease was a temporary fix and a new mechanism was being designed. OK so that was 8 months ago, surely we should have the appropriate latch by now!

 

[the_saint]

IMO grease is a band-aid, not a fix.

 

[antlind]

Latch Problems

So I wrote to Mazda Canada about this issue with the sliding door latch. Here's their response (which is no help at all):

Mr. Lee Wah,
We appreciate your correspondence.
According to your VIN, there are no outstanding recalls.
If you are still experiencing problems with the door of your Mazda5, we recommend that contact the Service Department of a Mazda dealership as the Certified Mazda Technicians are in the best position to assist you with your request. To find a Mazda dealership, please visit www.mazda.ca.

Regards,
Customer Relations
Mazda Canada Inc.
55 Vogell Rd.
Richmond hill, ON
L4B 3K5
www.mazda.ca

 

[the_saint]

Here would be my reply:

Dear Customer Relations,
Thanks dick.





They haven't come up with anything here in the states either...AFAI(or the service manager)K
*edit*
just got off the phone w/the service manager and he said that MazdaNA is aware of the problem and a trying to come up ith a solution.
At least they've acknowledged the problem.

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

I get the impression you work for a Mazda Dealer? I'm not so confident that grease alone which naturally deteriorates with temps and conditions could be more than a temporary interim solution for an obvious design flaw. I was told by my Mazda dealer back in February that the grease was a temporary fix and a new mechanism was being designed. OK so that was 8 months ago, surely we should have the appropriate latch by now!

ok read above the un official fix for me was GT latch. Approach your dealter with that solution.

End of story for me thanks

 

[antlind]

Reply

Here would be my reply:

Dear Customer Relations,
Thanks dick.





They haven't come up with anything here in the states either...AFAI(or the service manager)K
*edit*
just got off the phone w/the service manager and he said that MazdaNA is aware of the problem and a trying to come up ith a solution.
At least they've acknowledged the problem.

Hehehe.....I like that reply. (first) .....Very appropriate.....

 

[NYMZ5]

At least you got a reply.
I wrote to tell Mazda my dealer, Adzam Mazda said "all minivans do that". Gee, thanks for the technical expertise! Does Mazda HQ sanction you refering to the 5 as a "minivan"?!

 

[cheapmiata1600]

The 5 isn't a minivan?

Also, while grease may be a "bandaid" fix, it usually works on all of our minivans, which also have freezing doors and latches.

 

[jlk_250]

Our USA-model 2006 Mazda5 has developed a latch problem. Is it the same one that other people have reported? Ours is that the outside latch handle is frozen so that sliding door can be opened only from the inside. It opens, closes, locks, etc. just fine from the inside. Same problem or not?

My wife contacted the local service department and they said they have not seen a Mazda5 with that problem but would look into it since my wife mentioned that there was a service bulletin out there. They checked into it and confirmed that it is a known problem and that there is a fix of some kind. They ordered the parts and will call us when they're in, plus thanked us for pointing the problem out so they can serve the next Mazda5 owner better. No idea what the fix is but I will report what happens.

Jon

 

[flatfoot]

door problems

JUst as an aside, I was reading that four season review from automobile magazine.....and if you check the running costs there are two items, which then dont discuss or go into details on but this is listed.

At 8105 miles, adjust and lube passenger sliding door.

At 8861 miles, check faulty passenger sliding door, no problem found.

Thats it as far as door were concerned. They idnt go into what vehicle was being checked for.

Stay safe

 

[TheMAN]

a recall will be issued soon regarding the freezing latch issue... no specific details yet on what will be done but latch replacement is probably necessary

a stop sale has just been issued for specific 2006 models as of yesterday

 

[afticarab]

a recall will be issued soon regarding the freezing latch issue... no specific details yet on what will be done but latch replacement is probably necessary

a stop sale has just been issued for specific 2006 models as of yesterday

Any chance of posting official info on the stop sale, it would be helpful to have something to bring to the dealer. Thanx

 

[B1GHAM]

a recall will be issued soon regarding the freezing latch issue... no specific details yet on what will be done but latch replacement is probably necessary

a stop sale has just been issued for specific 2006 models as of yesterday

thats weird, our dealership posted a stop sale about a week ago (well maybe like thurs.)

In either event, MNAO has released a stop-sale and we were told that we will be notified once a fix has been developed, but that it is underway.

And unfortunately, I didnt get the official notice so I dont have it on-hand to print or post.

 

[jlk_250]

So do the 2007 models have a different latch design than the 2006's?

Our frozen door latch problem was temporarily solved by above-freezing temps in the last few days. We'll see if the problem returns with cold temps. The dealer is supposed to call us when the replacement latch parts are in.

Jon