SSA75 - SSP75 "aka" door lock issue

[FLIPDADY]

Thanks Skarbro! I will attempt it and see how it goes :) Glad to see "the Mazda dealer" doing a bang-up job once again!
I fixed your comment.:)

[yearoftherat]

Just got back from MOT and the install was just under 2 hrs for the plate and sensor...
Thx to Joe and the rest of the service dept for the quick service :) Good thing I had a book with me as the wifi was nil
now to test out the sensor.....

[Ahnee]

I suppose one could argue that he took three hours.... and the thing works. Unlike some other installs! Hopefully they had good coffee..:chuckle

I haven't seen anyone talk about price for a bit... did that confusion get sorted out?

I called Mazda Canada & my dealer and both said that I would have to pay for the shock sensor alarm (minus the $100 rebate). How is everyone getting this upgrade for free?? I have an appt today at the dealer and already having to drop quite a bit for the 28000km service. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! (oh....I have a 2005 Artic White GT).

[whiteomega]

my shock sensor was installed for free on Monday. i have the invoice sitting on my table at home that says N/C for the shock sensor stuff... (06 GT)

[Ahnee]

my shock sensor was installed for free on Monday. i have the invoice sitting on my table at home that says N/C for the shock sensor stuff... (06 GT)

I guess its just me/my dealer then....=( See what I can do when I get there.......mostly likely nothing though.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

I guess its just me/my dealer then....=( See what I can do when I get there.......mostly likely nothing though.

What dealership are you going to?

[Ahnee]

What dealership are you going to?

Erin Mills Mazda on Motorway Blvd

[mazda lover]

I called Mazda Canada & my dealer and both said that I would have to pay for the shock sensor alarm (minus the $100 rebate). How is everyone getting this upgrade for free?? I have an appt today at the dealer and already having to drop quite a bit for the 28000km service. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! (oh....I have a 2005 Artic White GT).

I have a 2005 GT and having the shock sensor and plate installed Monday free...
Dave Wood Mazda..Newmarket..

[yearoftherat]

Just got back from MOT and the install was just under 2 hrs for the plate and sensor...
Thx to Joe and the rest of the service dept for the quick service :) Good thing I had a book with me as the wifi was nil
now to test out the sensor.....

Update: Going to have to check the sensitivity of the sensor as nothing happens when I set the alarm and try to set it off by hitting the windshield or a door panel with my fist...:complain

[b]

Tap the glass! Do it! Don't bang on the part between the windshield and and top of the door. It is very thin and will dent.

When the alarm shop installed my alarm they smacked that part and put ripples all the way down that part. They ended up paying for a body shop to pop it all out and repaint it!!!

[cwp_sedan]

Update: Going to have to check the sensitivity of the sensor as nothing happens when I set the alarm and try to set it off by hitting the windshield or a door panel with my fist...:complain

We'll have a look at it this weekend if you are still going to Niagara area.

[rktsci]

Its funny that you guys are getting the work done but I still haven't even received the letter letting me know that the dealers have the parts. Do all dealers now have the parts to complete this recall?

[yearoftherat]

Tap the glass! Do it! Don't bang on the part between the windshield and and top of the door. It is very thin and will dent.

When the alarm shop installed my alarm they smacked that part and put ripples all the way down that part. They ended up paying for a body shop to pop it all out and repaint it!!!

Sorry meant to say tap.... not trying to put my fist through the window...


We'll have a look at it this weekend if you are still going to Niagara area.

Here already, sounds good...bring the snowblower with ya

[ZeroChalk]

my shock sensor was installed for free on Monday. i have the invoice sitting on my table at home that says N/C for the shock sensor stuff... (06 GT)

what the hell.... grr.. Can I just take my car to New Market (get the fix) even though Avante is my primary dealership?

[WLS ZMZM]

Well I still haven't had a call back from teh dealership... about the plates or the shock sensor.. so I thought I was S.O.L cuz they keep jerking me around... but there my prayers were answered... I ran into my buddy who works at the dealer... and I mentioned the situation to him last week... turns out he went to service and had my info put into the system for the work order so I can get the shock sensor at no charge woot woot!!!!!! now I just have to wait for the dumb dealer to call me to let me know that the parts are in!

[mazda lover]

what the hell.... grr.. Can I just take my car to New Market (get the fix) even though Avante is my primary dealership?

Sure you can, have it done anywhere you want, check with the dealer first, if they have the parts make an appointment and make sure they put the parts aside so they don't use them on someone elses car
e-mail troylangley@davewoodmazda.com he is the service manager

[whiteomega]

what the hell.... grr.. Can I just take my car to New Market (get the fix) even though Avante is my primary dealership?

i had mine installed at Mazda of Toronto. the service dept. there knows all about it.

keep in mind that it's free only for GT models..if you've got a GT, pay a visit to your dealership and ask them why it wasn't free..my understanding is that it says right in the bulletin to the dealership that it's free for GT models...but not having actually seen the bulletin, i couldn't tell you for sure.

[Skarbro]

Tap the glass! Do it! Don't bang on the part between the windshield and and top of the door. It is very thin and will dent.

When the alarm shop installed my alarm they smacked that part and put ripples all the way down that part. They ended up paying for a body shop to pop it all out and repaint it!!!
:bang

I just noticed a couple of dents there. It was probably me that did it too when the sensitivity was down. Who's the guy that fixes dents? They don't look too difficult to fix.

[b]

^ oh shit!

I had to have it done at a body shop. They had to weld a handle on and pop it out then refinish it/paint it. It was like $350. Hope yours isn't as bad as mine was...

[Skarbro]

I'm going to contact that guy that fixes dents. Maybe he can do it.

[3GFX]

lol, I've got other dents I'm waiting to take out. Come warmer weather we'll have a central dent meet again.


On a note toward the shock sensor. My dad tried kicking some snow off my car this morning for me and set off the alarm :D

He was soooooo suprised/pissed :p

[yearoftherat]

Latest update:

Met up with cwp_sedan to pick some stuff up and he checked out the sensor and it DOES NOT WORK.
He adjusted the sensitivity and no difference = MOT is getting a call tomorrow. Has anyone else had to get the sensor replaced?

[cwp_sedan]

Latest update:

Met up with cw-_sedan...

Who's that guy?
:chuckle

[yearoftherat]

Dunno..

Fixed...

[cwp_sedan]

But yeah, there seems to be something wrong with the sensor that YOTR had. It seemed to be really sensitive when you tapped the sensor with your finger but when it came to setting it off by banging the windshield, etc. It just wouldn't do it even with it crank to the max. Hopefully only a few are affected by this issue.

Mine was actually set off by a passing car with and exhaust, so I might have to turn mine down a little bit.

[yearoftherat]

Yeah when yours went off when the car with the fart can went by, I was amazed on how sensitive it was...

[Skarbro]

It sounds like MoT got a batch of weak sensors. Mine is weak also. I have to turn it all the way to max to get it to work the way I want it to. I was thinking about getting a piece of metal to bridge the sensor casing to the metal of the car to make it more sensitive. Or I might just leave it as it is since it is pretty much where I would adjust it too anyway.

[SilentJay]

On-going saga at MoT... lets see if the service guys actually do something about sending me off without it working and not telling me...

[yearoftherat]

Going to see MOT this afternoon. Service advisor want the shop foreman to look at it..this will be fun...

[Donutz]

I was at the dealership getting the fix installed today. I was surprised when I was offered the factory shock sensor for free. I have a compustar so didn't take it. I should have asked if I could take the factory kit!

It's cool to see some are being offered this; decent of mazda, or the dealership. It would be cool if everyone was being offered the kit for free.

[RedRaptor]

At least MoT is doing the installations. I haven't heard back from Avante yet after they cancelled my appointment the first week of March citing they did not have the door lock fix in stock.

[ZeroChalk]

I called to MoT to book my appointment this afternoon.. no problems, no hassles. It's ridiculous Avante tried to charge me.

[yearoftherat]

Going to see MOT this afternoon. Service advisor want the shop foreman to look at it..this will be fun...

Well it seems that I'm not the only one that has had problems with the sensitivity of the sensor. I was told that there were a few others with possible defective units. I now have to make an appointment to bring it in to have them look at it ....:bang..

[Skarbro]

Well it seems that I'm not the only one that has had problems with the sensitivity of the sensor. I was told that there were a few others with possible defective units. I now have to make an appointment to bring it in to have them look at it ....:bang..
Interesting. I may just have to bring mine back then.

[cwp_sedan]

Well it seems that I'm not the only one that has had problems with the sensitivity of the sensor. I was told that there were a few others with possible defective units. I now have to make an appointment to bring it in to have them look at it ....:bang..

Shitty deal Chris. All they have to do is swap the unit. Oh well...

[WeatherB]

You guys who are getting the repairs done, have you already received your second letter? My first letter said that they'd contact me when the repair was available. Still nothing.

[cwp_sedan]

You guys who are getting the repairs done, have you already received your second letter? My first letter said that they'd contact me when the repair was available. Still nothing.

You definitely shouldn't have waited for the second letter to come. Make an appointment and they will apply the fix for free. You may or may not be able to get the shock sensor/rebate though now depending on the dealership you go to.

[WeatherB]

You definitely shouldn't have waited for the second letter to come. Make an appointment and they will apply the fix for free. You may or may not be able to get the shock sensor/rebate though now depending on the dealership you go to.

Shoot. Why did I decide to trust the system?

[cwp_sedan]

Shoot. Why did I decide to trust the system?

Don't ever trust the system...

[JonsMazda]

Don't ever trust the system...

+1

[SilentJay]

I was told that there were a few others with possible defective units. I now have to make an appointment to bring it in to have them look at it ....:bang..

Hmm... growing trend :bang

[iconicrocket]

Just had my door enforcement and shock sensor installed today at MoT. Pretty much an in-and-out service, no problems whatsoever.

I was rocking the car in the parking lot to check the sensitivity but it didn't go off. lol. Gotta try and turn it up this weekend or when I have time.

[cwp_sedan]

Just had my door enforcement and shock sensor installed today at MoT. Pretty much an in-and-out service, no problems whatsoever.

I was rocking the car in the parking lot to check the sensitivity but it didn't go off. lol. Gotta try and turn it up this weekend or when I have time.

Rocking the car probably won't set it off. Snap the wiper onto the windshield. Mine can be set of using this method.

[RemaerdLacidar]

2008 GTs don't qualify for the shock sensor upgrade do they? :)

[cwp_sedan]

2008 GTs don't qualify for the shock sensor upgrade do they? :)

Nope, but you could always install it yourself or have someone do it. There are instructions on how to do it. Check out my sig.

[RemaerdLacidar]

Nope, but you could always install it yourself or have someone do it. There are instructions on how to do it. Check out my sig.

Thanks, I didn't think so. The install looks pretty easy though, maybe I'll take a crack at it.

[ZeroChalk]

Got the fix installed at MOT. Great service, no questions asked. Dropped the vehicle in for the day and they called me up in the morning to tell me it was fixed. Got also boost up the sensitivity of the alarm as well.

Hurray!

[sauga_kid]

Got my car done too at Mazda of Brampton on Wednesday. No questions asked, no cash paid and its working like a charm.

[mazda lover]

Had the Motion sensor and door plate done Monday
Also had the oil pipe recall done
and gave me new rims as the originals were bubbling at the center.
All no charge, warranty work,
Great service and done on time,
------------------------------------
2005 GT GFX

[dj_chinaman2097]

I picked up my $100 rebate from Erin Mills Mazda today. They credited the amount back to my credit card. No cheque option.

I think it took just under three weeks from the day they installed the plate until they called me to pick up my rebate. Not bad!

[gqstunning]

Got mine done at Avante on Thursday. Now my alarm is incredibly sensitive car loud exhausts

[cwp_sedan]

Got mine done at Avante on Thursday. Now my alarm is incredibly sensitive car loud exhausts

If you don't want it to be that sensitive just turn it down a bit.

[RedRaptor]

Got mine done at Avante on Thursday. Now my alarm is incredibly sensitive car loud exhausts

Still haven't received a new appointment from Avante after they cancelled mine about 3 weeks ago. I guess everything is back in stock now but they forgot about me.

[yearoftherat]

Have another appointment with MOT this afternoon to have them look @ the sensor..Wish me luck

[cwp_sedan]

Have another appointment with MOT this afternoon to have them look @ the sensor..Wish me luck

Hopefully all they do is replace the sensor. Should be a quick fix.

[Snodrifter]

Don't ever trust the system...

I called Mazda and was told to wait for the second letter about my remote door lock issue, but haven't heard for over a month. What happens is that all my doors unlock some time after I park my car in an underground garage, but unpredictably. I know I couldn't have forgotten because I open and lock only one door at a time. I'm afraid a time limit will expire by then.

[cwp_sedan]

I called Mazda and was told to wait for the second letter about my remote door lock issue, but haven't heard for over a month. What happens is that all my doors unlock some time after I park my car in an underground garage, but unpredictably. I know I couldn't have forgotten because I open and lock only one door at a time. I'm afraid a time limit will expire by then.

You seem to have a completely different issue than what this thread is about. This is for a recall regarding the door plate. You are having a door lock issue. I would see your Mazda dealer about it.

Most people have got their door plates installed and have not received a second letter.

[yearoftherat]

Hopefully all they do is replace the sensor. Should be a quick fix.

Well I waited for the car and checked the sensor before I left MOT.
They didn't replace the sensor as was it was due to wiring (wtf)
Seems to work now but have to adjust the sensitivity now as its too low for my liking..

[cwp_sedan]

Well I waited for the car and checked the sensor before I left MOT.
They didn't replace the sensor as was it was due to wiring (wtf)
Seems to work now but have to adjust the sensitivity now as its too low for my liking..

Not sure how they could have wired it incorrectly. I wonder what they did?

[Skarbro]

I'm confused. If it was due to wiring, then how come it triggered when the unit was tapped? I think I'm going to have to bring mine in now.

[yearoftherat]

In my case, when you tapped the sensor itself, the light would blink as well as any area close to it BUT it would not trigger horn to go off. I would guess that whom ever wired it up originally may not have know what they were doing..:complain

[WLS ZMZM]

I can honestly say this is getting a little ridiculous.... I'm still waiting for a call from Avante.... I called the other day and was told there is quite a waiting list and that mazda is continuing to have a back order on the parts... which i have to say is quite annoying..... how can mazda honour something till 1March when you don't even have the part in stock?

[sauga_kid]

Will, maybe you might want to abandon trying to get it done and Avante and try a different dealership. Not sure if MoT has parts still in stock but I know I got mine done at Mazda of Brampton and at the time (aprox. a month ago) they said they had quite a few units in stock. Good luck mang with getting this installed. Let me know if you want me to pick you up a unit or something if that can be arranged so you can get it installed at Avante (don't know the feasability of this).

[WLS ZMZM]

thanks Dennis, honestly.. my only concern is the fact that it was to be done before 1 March for the shock sensor... not sure if another dealer would honour it because of the work order being in the system...

[sauga_kid]

Ah, in any case, try contacting Mazda Canada and seeing if they'll reimburse you the cost of the sensor from another dealership due to the fact that Avante doesn't have any stock in, or if Avante would be willing to get one shipped in from a different dealership (probably unlikely). Nonetheless, if you need a pick up from the westend or something, give me a shout. Good luck bros.

[WLS ZMZM]

woot woot the day just keeps getting better just got a call from Avante on my cell that my parts came in woot woot... hafta call them on my break and see what can be done.

[WLS ZMZM]

woot woot.. monday at 12 the car goes in to get the shock sensor and the door plates installed

[WeatherB]

I called Scarboro Mazda today and made an appointment for my mom's car. Was told that I can get the sensor installed for free until March 31st. So I went ahead and booked an appointment for her on Monday. :)

[cwp_sedan]

I called Scarboro Mazda today and made an appointment for my mom's car. Was told that I can get the sensor installed for free until March 31st. So I went ahead and booked an appointment for her on Monday. :)

Nice!

[ds2chan]

Got mine done today at MoT.. I didn't know how to explain it to them.. finally Sara was like oh the kit.. lol.. what do you call these things?? door strengthening kit??

[RedRaptor]

Door reinforcement plate fix and OEM shock sensor.

Avante set up an appointment with me for last week Friday afternoon. It took two hours but they installed the reinforcement plate, OEM shock sensor and the AT oil pipe fix (without me asking).

I haven't made the sensor go off yet...I don't want to b!tch slap my car that hard.

[WLS ZMZM]

well had the door plate kit and the shock sensor installed yesterday at avante... great job.. car was done really quickly.. already tested the shock sensor.. and it seems to work quite well.. pretty happy with the job that was done

[WeatherB]

Scarboro Mazda forgot to install the shock sensor on my mom's car. So after speaking with the service manager, I am going back on Saturday.

Make sure you test the shock sensor before leaving the lot. I should have told my dad to test it, but it completely slipped my mind.

[x_o_k_x]

The guy at the service, tells me not to get shock sensor, because its too sensitive no matter how you adjust it. And gave me few examples, like strong winds, or if some walks by and accidently pushes your car or thunder and such. So Im confused now..

[cwp_sedan]

The guy at the service, tells me not to get shock sensor, because its too sensitive no matter how you adjust it. And gave me few examples, like strong winds, or if some walks by and accidently pushes your car or thunder and such. So Im confused now..

That's BS, you have control over it. You mainly want it so that if someone hits your car with another car or anything else the car will go off. Mine is set pretty high up on the sensitivity scale and the wind does not set it off. A ricer exhaust did though. :bang

[WLS ZMZM]

exhausts will most certainly set it off...... thunder can do it.. had the issue with my compustar on my civic we had a really bad storm like 3 years ago.. nad it kept setting off my alarm.. as for the wind.. thats new to me lmao.... my friends used to have competitions when moving next to my car to see who could set the alarm off.... can be entertaining :chuckle

[whiteomega]

i would think the only way wind could set off your shock sensor is if the wind threw something into the car...in which case you likely have more serious concerns than a sensitive alarm :)

[Noisy Crow]

i would think the only way wind could set off your shock sensor is if the wind threw something into the car...in which case you likely have more serious concerns than a sensitive alarm :)

Anything that shakes the car has the potential to set it off.

The sensor is basically a permanent magnet suspended on a plastic spring near a coil of wire. Anything that makes the magnet vibrate will induce a signal in the coil... which is then amplified etc. and if the signal is strong enough the alarm is triggered.....

[ds2chan]

wait wait wait.. I probably missed this as this thread is 24 pages now.. I thought the shock sensor is extra.. that is, you have to pay for it.. is it actually free now??

[mazda lover]

wait wait wait.. I probably missed this as this thread is 24 pages now.. I thought the shock sensor is extra.. that is, you have to pay for it.. is it actually free now??


the shock sensor is free if your car is a GT someone here will confirm the years covered


the door reinforcment is free depending on the year of the car

why don't you just call the dealer, quicker

[Dave_The_BMXER]

I got my 2004 GT done yesterday, plate and sensor for free. I was told it would take one hour it took 2 and a half.

Mississauga Mazda.

[cwp_sedan]

I got my 2004 GT done yesterday, plate and sensor for free. I was told it would take one hour it took 2 and a half.

Mississauga Mazda.

They originally quoted you the wrong time. 2.5hrs is more correct in the time it takes for the dealer to install both. Good thing you still got the sensor installed for free. :)

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Ya it was all pretty painless. My gf just got antsy cause she can't buy a 3 right now and we were delaying an ikea trip.

:P

[ds2chan]

called up MoT and talked to Vincent.. he said it should've been installed along with the door kit.. also, the oil pipe needs to be replaced because of a recall..

but talks about the oil pipe can go here..
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=23000

[anton]

Here's a website dedicated to the . . .

[cwp_sedan]

Here's a website dedicated to the. . .

That link is good but we have more insider info and experience with the fix probably than anywhere else. :)

[eman124]

hey y'all

I have a 05 hatch. I'd never received any letter regarding the door lock issue. I bought it from Markham Mazda, should I just call them and ask?

[eman124]

when i lock the car using the remote while in the vehicle, and unlock and open the door manually. the alarms turn on. does that mean i have an alarm system in my car or not?

[mazda lover]

when i lock the car using the remote while in the vehicle, and unlock and open the door manually. the alarms turn on. does that mean i have an alarm system in my car or not?

so lets figure this out
You are in the car and you lock the doors with the remote. You unlock the door using the remote or the lock button? if you have power locks? You open the door manually from inside and the alarm goes off. If so you have problem with the alarm, I don't think that should happen? does it happen all the time?

[cwp_sedan]

hey y'all

I have a 05 hatch. I'd never received any letter regarding the door lock issue. I bought it from Markham Mazda, should I just call them and ask?

Yes you should call them.



when i lock the car using the remote while in the vehicle, and unlock and open the door manually. the alarms turn on. does that mean i have an alarm system in my car or not?

This is how the stock alarm is supposed to function. If someone breaks your window then opens the door, the alarm sounds.

There is nothing wrong with your alarm. :)

[eman124]

I am not saying that something wrong is with my system
Cause I wasn't sure if I have the GT model or not
and I saw people posting that GS models are not equipped with a alarm system?
so I was just wondering by what I asked (unlocking manually form inside, and it sounds) means that I have an alarm system or not?

[eman124]

i was just trying to make sure..
thanks for all your help.

i've been driving this car for 2-3 years.
and I seriously dunno if it's a GT or GS..
lol.. i wasn't the one who bought this car. haha

[zoomzoom30]

I have an 07 GS w/o alarm made in April 07 - I am not affected by either of these things (even if I was to put in an alarm, say, tomorrow), right?

[LockOut]

Does anyone know if we have to go to our purchasing dealer for this? I'm looking at you, guys from MoT... PM to let me know if I can get it done at your dealer...

[cwp_sedan]

I have an 07 GS w/o alarm made in April 07 - I am not affected by either of these things (even if I was to put in an alarm, say, tomorrow), right?

You should already have the fix from factory but you'll need to contact your dealer to be 100% sure. This fix has nothing to do with an alarm, etc.


Does anyone know if we have to go to our purchasing dealer for this? I'm looking at you, guys from MoT... PM to let me know if I can get it done at your dealer...

ANY dealer can and should be doing this since it is a recall.

[ZoomZoom Girl]

Hmm....just called Mazda Canada since, although I did receive the letter about the reinforcement plate and $100 rebate on an alarm, I never heard anything about the OEM shock sensor until reading this thread today! So, called them to inquire and I was told that this part was NEVER offered for free and that the offer expired at the end of March.

I'll still try contacting my dealership's service manager to inquire, and may also ask Dave Wood Mazda (my sister's dealership) if my local dealer won't install it, free of charge. Can't hurt to ask, especially since I was totally clueless about this OEM shock sensor to begin with! Mazda Canada definitely needs to work on their customer communication....

[LockOut]

I didn't get my letter that the part was in until April, if not May... I don't see how this 'offer' could have expired before then...

[ZoomZoom Girl]

Oh I got the first letter saying "wait until you get a second letter saying the parts are in" but never DID get the second letter! Actually, I got a notice that my AT oil transmission pipe needed to be replaced. Called the dealership right away to book an appointment for that. While I was there, I mentioned this OTHER notice I had received about the reinforcing plates. The service manager gave me this speech about how it was useless and that car thieves nowadays use computers (??) to open the doors, not force. When I politely insisted he install the plates, he did so as was listed on my receipt afterwards (repair ssp75 - door kit and repair ssp74 - oil pipe). I never even heard about the OEM shock sensor thing until now! I would have payed the part cost if I'd known that it even existed....arrghh! Already started shopping for another vehicle, that's how fed up I am with Mazda at this point (4 years in)....

[FLIPDADY]

We've been performing those recalls like crazy. Have you seen the parking lot at MOT lately?

[ZoomZoom Girl]

Well I'm from Sudbury so that would be no...

[FLIPDADY]

Well I'm from Sudbury so that would be no...
Ooh..I see, well your dealer shouldn't be charging you for any of these recalls.

[LockOut]

We've been performing those recalls like crazy. Have you seen the parking lot at MOT lately?
Is this because of the recall? That means that there's going to be a long wait to do this? Crap... hahaha, maybe I'll just go to Erin Mills Mazda, so I can go on a weekend.

[WeatherB]

I just got my second letter today. Good thing I didn't bother waiting for the letter to arrive.

[FLIPDADY]

Is this because of the recall? That means that there's going to be a long wait to do this? Crap... hahaha, maybe I'll just go to Erin Mills Mazda, so I can go on a weekend.
Well we're getting overflow from local dealerships. Some are doing 5 per day while we're averaging 20.

[huyzel]

boy, that was a long read.
wow... free shock sensor also?
I've been procrastinating on taking in the wife's car for warranty all this time.

[ZoomZoom Girl]

Ooh..I see, well your dealer shouldn't be charging you for any of these recalls.

Well this is the major disadvantage of living in Sudbury where Mid City Mazda has ZERO competition for my business! The closest other dealership would be in North Bay, about 1.5 hours away. I really really wish I was down in your area so I could pop into your dealership and get treated like a valued customer, for once! It's very frustrating. My local Service Manager just feigns ignorance on most issues and brushes me off entirely. I did get the reinforing plates installed, free of charge, after insisting that he do so (he gave me a whole speech about how they're useless and it was a waste of time to install them...HELLO! What an idiot (speaking of THAT service manager, not ALL Mazda service managers, of course)).

I called Mazda Canada yesterday and they said that the shock sensor was never offered for free. Argghh. They also said that the offer expired in March. Why even have the expiry date? I say if you have one of the "older model GT" cars, you should be able to go in at any time to get the upgrade since this was an oversight by Mazda to begin with. Stupid.

Anyhow, I did try emailing Troy Langley at Dave Wood Mazda (my sister's dealership) who I read here installed the sensor for their customers free of charge. We'll see if he can still offer me the same and I'll head down for a few days to visit with my sister/get my car looked at. Bit of a hassle but worth it if I can get the upgrade to my car's security.

Obviously I need to follow this forum more closely since this is the only place I heard about all these free upgrades!

[ZoomZoom Girl]

Back in late January/early February, some Mazda3 owners received the following letter:

"Your mazda 3 is designed with many security features, including an engine immobilizer theft deterrent system. We encourage you to consult your Owners Manual to become familiar with your vehicle's security features. Thieves can break into cars using a variety of means, so we urge you to take precautions that will discourage a thief. Be aware of where you park your vehicle, do not leave articles visible and never leave valuables inside your vehicle.

To further impede theft activity, Maza has developed a door lock reinforcement which we would like to offer to you. We will be contacting you by another letter when the parts are available, so that an appointment can be schedules with your dealer to install the reinforcement for you at no charge. If you reside in an area that has a high incidence of vehicle break-ins, if you have not done so already you may wish to consider the purchase of a shock sensor alarm system.

To assist you with this purchase, Mazda will rebate to you up to $100 towards the purchase and installation of a shock sensor alarm of your choice. If your vehicle is a GT model equipped with a factory installed alarm, Mazda will rebate you up to $100 towards the purchase and installation of a shock sensor. This offer is valid until March 1,2008. Please consult with your Mazda dealer regarding details of the rebate offer."

The confusion has to do with the shock sensor alarm as the plates were installed, free of any charge, to all owners who received the letter. If you did NOT receive the letter from Mazda, skip this thread as it does not relate to your year/model of Mazda3.

If you read the fine print, the letter states "if your vehicle is a GT model equipped with a factory installed alarm, Mazda will rebate you up to $100 towards the purchase and installation of a shock sensor alarm". Ok, that's where things get a bit sticky. There's been ALOT of confusion expressed over whether or not there is a charge for getting the Mazda sensor alarm installed.

I've spoken to Mazda Canada at length twice and to Mazda Service Managers and have finally gotten to the bottom of this. Here's the deal...the part costs roughly $50 and labor to install it should not run over 1/2 hour. MY Mazda dealership charges $90/hour so, with taxes, part cost, and labor cost, the grand total should be $107.35 (IF labor is 30 mins). Apply to that the $100 refund and we come to essentially ZERO cost for owners. If you are being charged anything for this job, it comes from labor running over 30 minutes in which case the mechanic doesn't know what he's doing. From all accounts, this is a very simple installation job....those who've done in themselves can pipe in to confirm/refute this point.

So yes, if you speak to Mazda Canada they will be very emphatic about the Mazda shock sensor (part #000-8F-K01A-CA) special service program (#ssa75 .... note, NOT a recall but a special service program) NOT being offered free of charge. However, when you add up the cost for the sensor and the cost for labor, it does come up as costing you nothing.

Stupid point and so much confusion could have been avoided if the darn letter just said "oh and if you want the Mazda shock sensor, that will be free of charge". Another point of confusion. The letter states that there is a May 1 deadline. HOWEVER, since it took so long for the sensors to arrive and they still remain on back order in some areas, Mazda has lifted the expiry date for NOW. If your Service Manager refutes this, tell him/her to check under the ssa75 section on "limitation"...it will say "unlimited" which means no expiry (again, for NOW).

Anyhow, that's that and I hope that I helped to alleviate some of the confusion. I know that I read through the 25 pages of the plate thread twice and still came out scratching my head. Oh and of course when I called my local Service Manager in Sudbury he had no clue what this shock sensor was and that there was a special service program. He'll look into it and get back to me next week. Meanwhile Southern Ontario Mazda dealerships are doing how many of these per day? Joys of living in the North....

[LockOut]

So this is only for GT owners?

[ZoomZoom Girl]

Edit: the original letter stated a MARCH 1 deadline for installation of the sensor, no May 1....can't figure out how to edit my own post!

[ZoomZoom Girl]

From what I understand, yes, only GT models. Hopefully others will pipe in to clarify if this is not the case!

[ZoomZoom Girl]

Darn...I wanted to start a new thread just on the sensor since this thread is up to 25 pages! Oh well, hopefully people don't mind wadding through all these posts to get to the clarification I provided.

[x_o_k_x]

is this issue continue for 2008.5? because I just got another letter..

[cwp_sedan]

is this issue continue for 2008.5? because I just got another letter..

It shouldn't be. Are you sure it isn't for your previous 2004?

[x_o_k_x]

It shouldn't be. Are you sure it isn't for your previous 2004?

ok yeah the vin#s dont much, so it must be for 2004 car

[Bean]

Well we're getting overflow from local dealerships. Some are doing 5 per day while we're averaging 20.

Thats because no one wants to deal with the other dealers. And can you blame them? You guys are supposed to be the best. And I am coming soon, look out for me, the complainer LOL

I am still wanting to bring my car in for the AT pipe recall but will do so closer to 33 K when I need my oil change.

[HappyJappy]

So anyone got their rebates? I'm still waiting for mines.

[Skarbro]

Well, the sensitivity of my shock sensor just went up! Before I couldn't set it off with the wipers. The other day after the storm, my car was covered in little leaves. I picked up the wiper to clean it and let it drop to the windshield and the alarm goes off. My keys were inside the house so I had to run in and get them. LOL I guess mine need a break-in period (no pun intended). :)