Sliding Door hard to close

[BulletBill]

Hey all, I'm new so go easy on me. I did not see any previous posts that addressed my specific issue so here goes:

I have a 2009 Sport and my passenger-side sliding door is hard to close all of a sudden. It opens fine and latches fine. The issue is when closing the door. It feels like it is off its track most of the way and then in the last 12-18 inches it pops back in and closes effortlessly. (which is a little scary because you're pulling and then the resistance is suddenly gone and the door slams shut) The door used to glide the whole way with just the slightest touch, but now there is some resistance until that last foot or so as I said. There is no grinding noise and it does still close smoothly, just with some effort. Any thoughts?

 

[flcruising]

Why try to resolve an issue with a vehicle under a full warranty?

Take it to your nearest Mazda dealer.

 

[Rocket]

Is the gas door closed? There is a "safety" mechanism to keep you from opening the door all the way if the fuel door is open.

Otherwise take it to the dealer.

 

[BulletBill]

Thanks for the tip about the fuel door! That makes a lot of sense. I'll have to check that tonight (wife has the car today) and I'll see if that's the culprit. Otherwise, I'll take it in. We're still under warranty.

Thanks all!

 

[Rocket]

I see now that your trouble seems to be upon closing, not opening. My suggestion might not help in that case.

 

[BulletBill]

Yeah, no luck with the gas door. I played with it some more yesterday and it looks like the door's middle roller (the one at the car's belt line) is actually falling off the track. If you watch it through the gap in the rear quarter panel you can see the roller fall off the track as the door is sliding open and then it hops back on as you close it. (seems like there should be some sort of lip/retainer on that rail to keep this from happening, but I don't see such a thing on the other side, which works perfectly) I'm going to take it to the dealer for adjustment/repair. Should be covered by the warranty.

 

[Heat]

Let us know what the dealer says.