New Mazda 3 2010 - Annoying Noises / Plastics, Trunk, Rear Suspension

[martin9348]

Hi,

I just bought a new Mazda 3 sedan GS 2 weeks ago and I really like driving it, the bluetooth that works with my Blackberry, etc. The car has 1300 kilometers. What I hate so much are the noises I hear when I drive at 20-80km/h or less. I am in Quebec and the streets are a little bit damaged and everytime I drive on a tiny street bump/tiny street imperfection or whatever you call it (sorry for my English) or when I get out of my driveway the car makes a lot of noises. It's like plastic parts not well assembled or something related to the rear suspension, noises are in the front near the windshield, on the passenger side and in the back in the trunk. I have had an honda civic 2006, a toyota, and another mazda before and never had that kind of problem.

I'd like to know if I'm the only one hearing plastic, trunk or rear suspension noises in a Mazda 3 2010!

Thanks for letting me know!

[alho]

Hi,

I just bought a new Mazda 3 sedan GS 2 weeks ago and I really like driving it, the bluetooth that works with my Blackberry, etc. The car has 1300 kilometers. What I hate so much are the noises I hear when I drive at 20-80km/h or less. I am in Quebec and the streets are a little bit damaged and everytime I drive on a tiny street bump/tiny street imperfection or whatever you call it (sorry for my English) or when I get out of my driveway the car makes a lot of noises. It's like plastic parts not well assembled or something related to the rear suspension, noises are in the front near the windshield, on the passenger side and in the back in the trunk. I have had an honda civic 2006, a toyota, and another mazda before and never had that kind of problem.

I'd like to know if I'm the only one hearing plastic, trunk or rear suspension noises in a Mazda 3 2010!

Thanks for letting me know!

I think the 3 are louder in terms of bumps and holes. Out of all the other cars I've driven this car is by far the harshest and loudest, but also the most fun to drive :)

[martin9348]

I think the 3 are louder in terms of bumps and holes. Out of all the other cars I've driven this car is by far the harshest and loudest, but also the most fun to drive :)


I'm happy to see that I'm probably not the only one hearing noises. I totally agree with you, the 3 is the harshest, loudest and also veryyy fun to drive.

I just hope that the noises are "normal". The first week I had the car I didn't hear anything. Plastic noises / trunk noises (just like if something was loose in the trunk - but it's empty) / and dashboard-windshield noises came during the second week. I'll let the Mazda technician/mechanic know when I'll go for an oil change and they'll hopefully take a look at it.

Thanks for the post!

[martin9348]

I have found the right terms... rattles, squeaks. I have read in other forums that some mazda 3 owners have exactly the same issues :

"As a separate topic on this board details, I have a squeaky rattle noise coming from what sounds like my driver's side dash area, or the windshield area. I haven't been able to pin it down, and it's driving me insane. I'm considering a trip to the dealer to see if they can figure anything out. Only seems to happen when I go over bumps on the crappy New England roads. Only 800 miles on my 2010 4-door S Grand Touring."

"My 3 is just over a month old with about 1660 miles and it developed a number of rattles like some described before:

* There's a snap, crackle, pop coming from the passenger side (might be the door, might be the dash... so hard to track these down when they telegraph)

* There's a rattle/tapping like another user described coming from the trunk / rear wheel well

* The driver's seat squeaks a bit

* Some rattles/tapping coming from driver's side door
(...)
"

I've also read that the windshield problem is well known and that most people had their windshield replaced. WOW!!!

[nazimb]

i bought my Mazda 2010 GS sedan a month ago, and i'm having exactly the same pb , my wife took it this morning to the dealer and was told that there is nothing to worry abt ...
i love the car but i'm not convinced by this answer , a new car is not supposed to have these rattles, squeaks ..i'll talk to the dealer when i'll go for my oil change ..

[jjreed1]

I have a gx sedan 4000 km now and I notice the noise as well especially the tire hum like it's over inflated makes my other car so quiet in comparison funny thing though u get used to it

[Flunk]

I'm not having any real noise issues with my GX hatch with 8000 KMs. The steering wheel creaks a bit when it's very cold and I'm going around sharp corners on onramps, the wheel noise is worse than any other car that I've ever driven but not unreasonable. Handles bumps like a dream compared to the American cars I'm more used to but that's a fairly low standard especially the Saturn SL1 that used to scrape against speedbumps (stock everything) at anything over 10KM/H.

Considering the price I paid for it I've been impressed with the overall build quality of my Mazda.

[mazda lover]

I could be wrong but these nioises you are hearing have plagued the M3 since 2004...I have a 2005 Sedan and do not experience any of these rattles etc as you guys describe even since new...

[Tizmee24]

I could be wrong but these nioises you are hearing have plagued the M3 since 2004...I have a 2005 Sedan and do not experience any of these rattles etc as you guys describe even since new...

+1 same here for my 06' sedan no noise or rattles.

I heared rattles and some squeaks, well after i lowered my car :chuckle which is normal for me.

[Quantum]

2010 hatch here. First I heard a big rattle from my trunk... ends up the felt piece between the privacy protector and the trunk had fallen out. Bought some felt gasket at home depot and problem solved.

Then in the winter, the lower windshield started to rattle. I popper the hood, and it's a loose piece of plastic that attaches to the hood. It's covered in a foam gasket, but in the cold when the plastic shrinks a bit... I get a lot of vibration. Added a bit of gasket to that area, problem solved. I took it out in the summer... worried about extra pressure on the windshield. Guess I'll have the dealer fix it on my 16k oil change.

Final issue, the one I can't figure out: the squeak from the rear of the car. Sounds like material flexing when I go over potholes. I've really got no idea what it is, has anyone poked and prodded at this squeak and figured out what it is?

[Mr. Scruples]

I've got a 2010 Sport GS that has creaks and rattles coming from the dash up near the windshield. Sounds like it's over more towards the passenger side, but the noise is a bit tricky to pin down. It was most noticeable when the car was cold, but it's still there on warm days as well.

I've more or less gotten used to it, but at < 3000kms, a car should NOT be making those kinds of noises and I'll definitely be mentioning the issue when I bring it in for its first service call.

[martin9348]

I'm back...

I had an appointment today at the Mazda dealer for the problems with my car. The mechanic made a road test with me this morning and told me that the rear rattles/squeaks were not normal. The car was supposed to be ready today but it won't. They just called and let me know that they will have to change the rear suspension + other parts. THE CAR HAS 1900 kms and I didn't forget a zero!!! Brand new and they have to change suspension? They said that the front problem/sound near the windshield isn't big enough or loud enough... I don't know if I'm crazy but even if I turn on the radio at sound level 20 I can hear the rattles/squeaks/sound from the front and THIS drives me crazy.

I'll let you know tomorrow if they change other parts or do anything else to the car.

[martin9348]

I've got a 2010 Sport GS that has creaks and rattles coming from the dash up near the windshield. Sounds like it's over more towards the passenger side, but the noise is a bit tricky to pin down. It was most noticeable when the car was cold, but it's still there on warm days as well.

I've more or less gotten used to it, but at < 3000kms, a car should NOT be making those kinds of noises and I'll definitely be mentioning the issue when I bring it in for its first service call.

I'll let you know if they find anything for the creaks and rattles coming from the dash up near the windshield!

[J_man]

Holy crap! I have a 2010 Sport GT and no squeaks, rattles, or anything. But all these problems with other 2010's is really unsettling.....:whoa Maybe Mazda has another recal in it's future for the 3?

[Honva]

Wow....2 weeks and you already drove 1300km on it! I had it for 3 weeks and only got 1500km.

Anyway, those noises are not normal. I was really impressed at how well and solid the Mazda 3 was built. The internal fitting and suspension didn't make any noise at all. The only noise is road noise from the tires which could be a little bit louder than other cars. Hope the dealer fit it for you.

[m3touring]

Hi all,

We've been hearing similar problems back in the States. I have a 2010 Mazda 3i Touring with MT and hear the rattle from the rear. I've had my rear shocks replaced, but that didn't stop it. Another visit to the dealership, and I learned that the rattle is coming from the fuel tank; the splash guard within the tank is a bit loose. This appears to be endemic to all 3s. The technician even heard it on the new (i.e. unsold) 3s sitting on the dealer lot. Therefore, replacing the tank with a new one probably will not help since all tanks seem to have this defect. The technician called up Mazda when working on my car; they are aware of the problem, but no solution or service bulletin has been posted...

Threre is a similar thread at: http://mazda3revolution.com/forums/2010-mazda-3-discussion/1902-annoying-rattling-sound-rear-dust-guards-5.html

Hope this helps...

[billd80]

My 2010 Mz3 has 1000 kms, and not a sound, other than power steering can be a tiny bit loud @ times. Road noise is not bad either but that may be the undercoating. I have noticed while @ the lots that some of the 3's seem to have a funny looking camber to the rear wheels, even my wife noticed it and she knows nothing about cars! , I hope there's not going to be some big recals for rear suspension.

[rob3]

mazda 3's have camber in the rear wheels for some reason. Rotate every 15000.

my 2010 has no noises or clunks of any sort at 16 000kms. The only thing that rattles is if im listening to loud music the review mirror has a rattle from my aftermarket sub.

Road noise is apparent at more than 80kms/h but its not that bad. I can talk to everyone in the car with ease even at 110km/h on the highway.

[m3touring]

Hi all,

Has anyone gotten the rear squeaking or rattle fixed on the 2010 Mazda 3? Or heard any news on it? My rattle appears to be getting louder! It is the metallic sound coming from the trunk when going over rough road surfaces. I can hear it even with the rear seats upright.

Thanks!

[m3touring]

Hi all,

I was just wondering if anyone got some information regarding the rattle/tapping noise coming from the rear of your M3 hatchback or sedan. The rattle occurs regardless of my rear seats being up or down, or if the trunk is open or closed. I've also tried removing the tools/jack with the spare tire and shaking the muffler. The noise persists. Any information would be appreciated!

As far as the other noises from the dashboard/passenger seats/windshield, I have heard them but will keep my ears open!

Thanks!

[antifuse]

I was just wondering if anyone got some information regarding the rattle/tapping noise coming from the rear of your M3 hatchback or sedan. The rattle occurs regardless of my rear seats being up or down, or if the trunk is open or closed. I've also tried removing the tools/jack with the spare tire and shaking the muffler. The noise persists. Any information would be appreciated!


I've got a rattle/tapping noise coming from the rear or my 2010 hatch GT... Whenever I take a sharp turn, I hear what sounds like something rattling around in the back... It almost sounds like there's a plastic clip or a spare screw in the trunk door, that is moving back and forth when I turn. Haven't had a chance to really have a look around to see if I can find the culprit though.

[GWN]

I had that too, but I found it either went away with time or I've just stopped noticing it :p shouldn't be anything to worry about

[CFX]

• 2010 Mazda3 Sport GT
I finally pinpointed the rattle I've been experiencing since I first bought the car. Near the rear center brake light, sounds like the wiring is rattling around in the ceiling. I'm having this looked at next Saturday, along with another rattle/creak noise from the dash/cowl and a blown front passenger side speaker. No idea how the speaker blew because I never crank my music, plus my bass/treble are both set to 3.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

You have to love model redesign years. Please see attached TSB's for creaking and rattling. Some of you with the 2010's may have these issues.


http://www.finishlineperformance.com/pdf/mazda3/bulletin/09-035-10-2376.pdf

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/pdf/mazda3/bulletin/09-037-10-2406.pdf

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/pdf/mazda3/bulletin/09-037-10-2406.pdf

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/pdf/mazda3/bulletin/09-037-10-2406.pdf

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/pdf/mazda3/bulletin/09-069-09-2238.pdf

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/pdf/mazda3/bulletin/09-071-09-2259.pdf

[Freakzaz]

My 2010 Mazda 3 Sport has about 4500kms on it at the moment and the only squeaking I've heard is the steering wheel squeak when it's really cold. Not sure but maybe some of the problems everyone's experienced could be due to the cold.

[kennygar]

I have a tapping noise coming from the rear windshield area. I took it to the dealership and they told me that it was plastic spacers that they use on the window. When I told them that it does it when it is cold and not so much when it is warm outside they said it was because the plastic pieces shrink. They removed the pieces but guess what it still does it. I called the dealership and they said to bring it back in and the mechanic would go for a ride with me. Well of course it had warmed up by the time I left work and brought it there it wasn't doing it but I hear it randomly all the time and it drives me crazy. Angry that I paid for something to be fixed and it hasn't been fixed.