Whose MS3 has/hasn't broken down?

[cymx5]

I want to see some numbers for the mechanical failures for the MS3. New posts are consistently made to lash out at these failures, so I think it would be good to get some numbers on who has had problems, and who hasn't. We all know the common issues and fixes, so let me define mechanical failure as an issue which required dealer or warranty service to restore the vehicle to safe operation. Also, if it could have been prevented by routine maintenance, it's not a mechanical failure in my book!

I will start with: I have a stock '07 MS3 with no performance modifications and 40k miles on the clock. Normal preventative maintenance and no major or even minor mechanical problems.

 

[GhostMercury]

No problems so far on my 08.5

 

[///M Compact]

2007 MS3: blown left front strut and smoking turbo; both at @25,000 miles. No problems since, currently at 43,500 miles.

 

[Jdizzle659]

Go get your vvt actuator replaced while car is still under powertrain warrenty(60,000miles). It will go out eventually because it is a faulty part. The pin will pop out eventually no matter how you drive the car. They will replace it will something different that has the pin welded in so that it won't happen again. Mine went out at 63,000 miles...

Only other problems I've had with car is boost leaks, rear engine mount cracked, and transmission bolt came loose. Turbo is currently going out I believe because there is some shaft play in it.

 

[cymx5]

Variable valve timing actuator? Am I correct with that acronym? Was this a recall?

 

[GoFast]

not a recall but a TSB see sticky in general MS3 section

 

[STRICK-]

<------ 07' TR GT MS3, 36k and going strong. torn rear mount is all for me and that isnt a big deal IMO

 

[ohioan]

None on the 07 w/44,000 miles on her so far

(kiss) I love her

 

[funksilver07]

Nothing...07 MS3 GT, 34,xxx miles.

 

[Super Unique]

2008.5 no serious mechanical problems that stopped the car from moving under it's own power. Here is the breakdown

delivery date: faulty radio head unit causing bass to cut in and out
12,000 mile range - coolant hose over radiator fell into fan, cut hose, leaked coolant
those are the only problems experienced due to any fault of mazda

33,000 miles - cobb sri intake caused battery tray to break. repaired at my expense.

currently running fine.

 

[wlaquerre]

No issues other than the tsb for the pcv system awaiting the new parts to arrive other than that running strong at 18500

 

[controlo]

no problems other than the motor mount recall. i should go to the dealer and see about other fixes, such as the pcv, vvt actuator, and turbo seals...

 

[Saskatchewan17]

No problems... 08 6,900 miles.

 

[TRDMS3]

check http://www.truedelta.com/ for better reliability results

 

[Nue]

Nothing's happened that's rendered the car undriveable, though it's given me a few headaches/heartaches here and there.

1) Numerous CELs. Some were the TSB recalls and evaporation leaks.

2) bad dealerships. Went to 3 different dealerships total around my area and had to return within a week to fix new CELs that kept popping up within the first 15k or so miles. Kept telling me I wasn't properly screwing in my gas cap.

3) Squeaky clutch switch. Hah, dealer managed to screw this one up too, after replacing said switch, turned out it was improperly installed, resulting in another CEL around the 28k mark.

4) Blown shocks, passenger front and nearly both of the rears, despite being as careful as I could with bumps anywhere (had a lowered car before). Maintenance issue I guess but going out around the 37k mark meant that nobody was gonna honor the bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Still, I wouldn't count the car as having "broken down." Just annoyances really.

 

[Jacobra]

nothing mechanical at 26,000

 

[MSMS3]

Not a single malfunction of any kind (except the CEL I get for having a catless DP/RP exhaust, lol). Just hit 20,000 miles on the odo.

 

[tiagotiago]

At just over 12,000 Miles and not a single problem so far, neither with the car nor with the dealership (when I've taken her in for her services). She does like to talk though because of some clutch chatter (present since day 2 of ownership) a few rattles and squeaks when it's cold and a occasional groan from the LSD when she wasn't fully broken in yet and I went out to play (I can't recall having heard that noise in the past 6 months).

Just did a 600 mi road trip and everything went well. I'm planning on doing a 1200 mi trip in the autum.

 

[Gunny5500]

2008 Speed3.

Just called the dealer about the blue/white smoke coming out of my exhaust after long idling periods. Possible turbo replacement in the works.

 

[08SPEED3Veteran]

just hit 12000 on my 08.5...FMIC, intake, inlet, turbo back exhaust, motor mounts, AP, and some other stuff and all ive had so far was white smoke from the exhaust, but a catch can fixed that immediatly.