Misalignment of fender/bumper on new car

H

hal2

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Phoenix
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Unfortunately, often we don't see imperfections on our new car until we've had some intimate time with it in our garage.

A little misalignment of front fender/bumper on new 2021. I'm comfortable that it came from the factory like this, not an accident. So the dilemma is this - take it to the dealer to fix or live it as is. To fix it they'll definitely have to take some parts off, probably including the bumper or fender wall as I can't find anyway to get to it from the inside.

I'm leaning towards just living with it (though I can now never un-see it). As most of us know, once they start taking things apart it never seem to get back to perfect without something else getting bent/marred.

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Your thoughts?
 
I'd take it in. It appears to line up at the bottom edge so it looks like they could correct it by adjusting out the top edge of the bumper near the headlight. Not a big issue for the dealer to correct.
 
Agree with Mantra. They probably just need to tighten a few screws.
I would not live with it.
 
It appears I can push the fender portion in. I'm able to get my head inside and it really doesn't look like there's any attachment point at that place. It seems to be an imperfection of the molding/bending of the fender. Pushing on that portion, as well as the other side, seems the that molded part just extends from the area where it actually is bolted on - so attached at one point then just extend forward and down. When pushed you can see the entire portion around the headlight pushing inward - both sides of the car
 
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Mantra 7 said:
It appears to line up at the bottom edge so it looks like they could correct it by adjusting out the top edge of the bumper near the headlight.
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That's what I thought. I tool a very thin plastic pry tool to pull the upper part of the bumper out, it just seems to want to pop back in to position. It's definitely the fender curving out, not the pumper curving in
 
Don't mess with it. You paid big bux for a new car and it should be right. And like you said ... You can't unsee it and will bug you for the life of your ownership.

If dealer correction makes it worse or causes other problems, deal with those then.

YMMV but that's how I would handle in your shoes
 
Don't mess with it. If you mess up with the pry tool and there's some scratches they can say you messed it up. Let the dealer deal with it (no pun intended).
 
You have a great looking vehicle and it's my favorite color too, I'm kind of jealous! I've replaced a front bumper cover on a 2008 Impreza and while the top and bottom were held by push-in clips and other fasteners, the sides were just clipped in place like most other vehicles. It looks to me like you may have a broken or bent clip(s) . The dealer can say 1) Nothing we can do 2) We'll try to fix it 3) We'll replace the bumper cover. Good luck and let us know the outcome ;)
 
I meant broken or bent tab(s).The workshop manual shows 3 tabs where the sides meet the fender just below the headlight assembly.

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It's def not the bumper cover, it's the front extension of the fender. When I push it there is definitely flex, as there is with the other side too. So imagine you have a fender part, and it's just curve slightly off - if there's no attachment point at the very tip, that curve will be seen.

Yes, you all convinced me to bring it in, but I'm going to ask what thei plan of attack it. wedging a thin plastic tool to pry it it will not work - I tried that.
 
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Explaination overkill , it appears the fender is attached at the top, and maybe at the wheel well, but if that front point happnes to be not curved enough...That's why I'm not sure what they can do, and I'm certainly not going to have them replace a whole fender - that's just asking for trouble

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Just wondering if someone leaned his butt on your bumper and pushed it in too far; that would leave no visible mark vs another vehicle.

You can try to gently pull up on the bumper cover with a suction cup. If it pops back in then take it to the dealer; they should have a specialist known as the "trim man" who's job among others, is to align doors, panels, moldings, etc, No body filler, no sanding, no welding, no painting this is someone else's job! He has many tricks in his hat and can probably use a plastic or wooden mallet if the fender is a little off and bring it back to specs assuming the bumper cover is O.K. Again, good luck with this ;)
 
Here is a little tip about karma. I leased a beautiful Buick GS back in 2016. When it was delivered, there was a dime sized blemish in the paint on the rear fender. When polished, it nearly disappeared, but came back when the wax wore off. I thought about having the fender repainted, but knew it would never match and I obsessed over it constantly. 2 months later, the car was rear ended and destroyed. Next car was the purchase of a brand new Honda Accord with some light scratches on the c pillar. Same polishing issue, same obsesssing, similar destruction during the second year of ownership. I guess the point is, don't sweat the small stuff (but I would have the dealer take a look at it).
 
For what it's worth, add my vote for taking it back to the dealer. I certainly would if it was my new car.
 
Took it to dealer, he took pics and is sending them it to regional. I guess if approved He told me of a body shop they which is Mazda Certified (whatever that means). I know it's the right route, but I'm sure many of you can understand me being anxious about all all the stuff they have to take off, from the big stuff to the little plastic push rivets that hold on the wheel well. plastic and stuff like that - things never seem to go together right again. Also, the last thing I want them to do is some repair that involves painting - OH-NO!
 
Freedom55 said:
Just wondering if someone leaned his butt on your bumper and pushed it in too far; that would leave no visible mark vs another vehicle.
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No, the bumper isn't pushed in, it's the fender that bends outward. Again, my fear is that if they take something off and put it back together that's something else won't line up right. It's easy to say that we should tell the dealer that he has to make it right, but as many of you have found out sometimes even after Regional gets involved they don't take it any further
 
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hal2 said:
No, the bumper isn't pushed in, it's the fender that bends outward. Again, my fear is that if they take something off and put it back together that's something else won't line up right. It's easy to say that we should tell the dealer that he has to make it right, but as many of you have found out sometimes even after Regional gets involved they don't take it any further
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I'm sure it will be fixed right. Sounds like a minor repair. Body shops know how to take care of it. Have you ever been in a body shop and looked at some of the wrecks and then the same vehicle after they repaired it? Amazing.
 
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