Rust on rear fenders and below front doors on 2005 Mazda3

[chanmazda3]

Hello I know alot of rust posts have been done earlier and i went through alot of them but could not find any answers to my specific question.

Here's whats wrong with my car. I am a 20yr old student and just bought my first 2005 mazda3 from scarborough mazda. The car is fully loaded and drives perfectly. I was too excited and the car looked decent for $10,000. But after signing the papers I noticed rusts on the rear fenders and rust patches coming out above the rear bumper. I noticed a big patch below the doors of front passenger and now I am scared after reading all the posts. I asked the dealer to do something about it and all he said was that he will do a paintjob there.

So I am asking you guys what should be my next steps in removing and controlling the rust so it doesnt show up in future. I am out of warranty so I cannot go to them and ask them to do anything. Keep in mind that I have spent a good portion of my co-op money on this car.

Please give me an answer don't just post saying this question has been asked many times before or if you do find a solution please post the link to that post.

[Rob23]

i have the same problemin the rear fenders, take it to the dealer to get fixed, once rust starts its very hard to stop it.

[stevenma188]

Are you sure you are out of warranty for rust? (Mazda extended it for the 04s and 05s).

Otherwise, looks like you will need to take it to a body shop to get it fixed and it will probably be expensive. DIY hack jobs usually won't stop rusting, or will look horrible.

Final option would be to just live with the rust.

[Stoked]

yea theres a 6 year extended warranty that starts from the date your car was put on the road,
i have an 04 mazda 3 and im still looking into the warranty so your still okay
you could always call mazda canada and get the date your car was put on the road if you want to know how long you have to follow through with the warranty

[chanmazda3]

If i call Mazda and (crossed fingers) get a date and they agree to repair it whats the chance that the rust wont show up in the next 2-3 years? and i am talking about city driving and we have 2 door garage so my car wont feel the snow and rain, overnight.

And what if they don't agree? what can I do to minimize the spreading of the rust? I even wash my dad's car every week so I am sure I will be extra careful with my own car.

[mazdabetty]

It's gonna show up in another 3 months probably... hahah sorry to say... I've lost count how many times mine has been repainted. :(

[Snotrocket]

Hello I know alot of rust posts have been done earlier and i went through alot of them but could not find any answers to my specific question.

Here's whats wrong with my car. I am a 20yr old student and just bought my first 2005 mazda3 from scarborough mazda. The car is fully loaded and drives perfectly. I was too excited and the car looked decent for $10,000. But after signing the papers I noticed rusts on the rear fenders and rust patches coming out above the rear bumper. I noticed a big patch below the doors of front passenger and now I am scared after reading all the posts. I asked the dealer to do something about it and all he said was that he will do a paintjob there.

So I am asking you guys what should be my next steps in removing and controlling the rust so it doesnt show up in future. I am out of warranty so I cannot go to them and ask them to do anything. Keep in mind that I have spent a good portion of my co-op money on this car.

Please give me an answer don't just post saying this question has been asked many times before or if you do find a solution please post the link to that post.

Step 1) have a look for rust before you give someone $10,000 of your hard earned money.
Step 2) Crown
Step 3) dont get to upset you live in Canada and we salt our roads :(

[Snotrocket]

Step 1) have a look for rust before you give someone $10,000 of your hard earned money.
Step 2) Crown
Step 3) dont get to upset you live in Canada and we salt our roads :(

And when i say Crown i do mean Krown

[chanmazda3]

I checked the Krown website and they gave me a quote of $120. I think thats decent but I dont wanna keep going back to them every 3 months. And when will be the right time to do this?

[aris]

If i call Mazda and (crossed fingers) get a date and they agree to repair it whats the chance that the rust wont show up in the next 2-3 years? and i am talking about city driving and we have 2 door garage so my car wont feel the snow and rain, overnight.

And what if they don't agree? what can I do to minimize the spreading of the rust? I even wash my dad's car every week so I am sure I will be extra careful with my own car.

My borther gf mazda is a 2008 and it started to rust..the body shop told him even if he paints it it will come back..it the metal needs to be cut out ...but well see if Mazda Canada goes for it..

[Snotrocket]

I checked the Krown website and they gave me a quote of $120. I think thats decent but I dont wanna keep going back to them every 3 months. And when will be the right time to do this?

I think once a season would be enough.. i would say september? Then go drive on a really dusty road and it helps hold the oil in place.

[alau]

I got my 2006 fixed. You should go back to the dealer and have them ask Mazda to fix it under warranty. Make sure you check everywhere....B-pillars, wheel wells, doors (especially inside underneath)...etc and get them fix it all. Once they fix it, spray as often as you can in coin wash in winter....but also dry off if possible.

I also put rust check in common rust areas before winter to protect the metal. Good luck.

[Willow]

Brought our 2k5 in 3 weeks ago. Dropped it off last week for the rust repairs. Sopke to the dealership today to find out how much longer, he said up to a week as they are replacing the panels! :headbang
and it's all thanks to this forum!!!

You guys/girls have saved us lots of $$ to date!

Thank you

[hali83]

They're replacing your panels? how bad was the rust on yours?

I just took mine to the dealerships collision center here in Dartmouth to have the rust looked at on my car. Pictures taken and the manager said they should cover the repair, I should know in about a week. Yay :) I'm hoping they'll give me a rental/loaner car for the few days it'll take to get fixed too

[Willow]

They're replacing your panels? how bad was the rust on yours?

I just took mine to the dealerships collision center here in Dartmouth to have the rust looked at on my car. Pictures taken and the manager said they should cover the repair, I should know in about a week. Yay :) I'm hoping they'll give me a rental/loaner car for the few days it'll take to get fixed too

I have no idea how bad it was, it was somewhat visible. However it had been painted over (we bought the car used). The dealer told us it had perforated the metal (I couldn't tell). So, the rust wasn't that bad as we didn't even notice it when we bought the car. Our dealer did not offer a loaner. Thank god we have a second vehicle as I don't know how I would get around for the 2 weeks.

[Willow]

I forgot to mention that the rust that I saw was located back wheel well where it meats the rear bumper. It was much worse on the driver's side.

[Willow]

Picking up our car tomorrow after work. It has been at the shop for 2 weeks. I'm excited to see what it looks like with the new panels. I will keep you posted.

[Willow]

Picked up the car, it looks brand new!!! The bill states 2414.02$ of work done on it!! For free! the new panels are beauties. Now I just want to take it out for a nice long drive

[thanu31]

post pics^

[Snotrocket]

:pics

[bluemazda3]

pics would be nice :)

[Willow]

I will post some pics once I charge my camera.

[Olestra]

I also have a 2006 and had mine fixed last week. Picked up my car on Oct 29.
It looks quite good, especially compared to before.

I talked to the body shop and he said Mazda has done so many of these repairs, they now have templated replacement fenders that the body shop can use. So the body shop cuts off the rusted rear wheel well fender and welds in the new template.

[Willow]

post pics^

Says I can't post pics :(:sad:sad

[klym]

I think your post count may have to be at a certain level before you can do that

[aris]

I think your post count may have to be at a certain level before you can do that

Your post count will not matter for posting pics...

Use photobucket to up load pictures

[Willow]

Your post count will not matter for posting pics...

Use photobucket to up load pictures

I will give it a try ove the weekend as I don't have access to that at work.

[hali83]

Woohoo :) Got approval yesterday for the rust repairs on my '05 sport! It's going to the shop on the 15th, I'm excited :)

[Willow]

Woohoo :) Got approval yesterday for the rust repairs on my '05 sport! It's going to the shop on the 15th, I'm excited :)

Good job as the cut off is fast approaching. My car looks brand new, now just to take care of some suff marks on the rear bumper.

[Willow]

http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x449/Willowbeast/Car/PB040034.jpg

some pics

[Willow]

http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x449/Willowbeast/Car/PB040031.jpg

<a href="http://s1182.photobucket.com/albums/x449/Willowbeast/Car/?action=view&current=PB040026.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x449/Willowbeast/Car/PB040026.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[Willow]

http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x449/Willowbeast/Car/PB040026.jpg

[sol_searchin]

Hard to see the rust, regardless if it's fixed or not it will rust again it's a mazda thing ;)

[Willow]

Hard to see the rust, regardless if it's fixed or not it will rust again it's a mazda thing ;)

If you are refering to mine, that is because they are new panels therefore No rust...

[dj_adamix]

Regarding the rust on back fenders that is a common issue with mz3 . And i know exactly why since i fixed it my self.
Just behind the fender it folds inside and there is a little flap with a hole for the screew. that hole is where the rust starts. i had to etch it with acid grind it really good,, used etching primer and so far so good! no rust and its not comming back!!.
Another issue was rust above the rear wheel. that whole section where fender is folded in with another sheet of metal comming from inside of the car. that edge is where water gets in , in between both metals and starts corroding, i had to spread them apart, etch it with acid, and then patched it with fiber glass patch + body filler. Now there is NO way water can get through, so far no rust!! the only thing i need to do is paint it lool. i only had time to prime it.

[dj_adamix]

i just found out mazda canada had issued 1 additional year of warranty for some parts (rust). those parts include trunk lid, back fenders back doors. i have a 2005 Mz3 my warranty expired few months ago but luckily they have that 1 year extra and exactly same parts that are rusted in my car !! he he i had pics taken and now im waiting for approval. Fingers crossed!!

[Dave_The_BMXER]

They are repairing it after you fixed it?

[dj_adamix]

Well i told the guy that i had no idea about the warranty and i started my own repair, i did everything but painting it, so he said if it gets approved they can paint it for me. Thats only my back fenders,
I still have few rust bubbles on my trunk lid and on black panels in between windows, so taht should be covered. i didnt fix that yet.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

That's pretty cool of them.

[dj_adamix]

This is funny, cuz when i called asking around about the warranty. I called first dealership, after waiting like 10 min on hold this guy picks up (sales manager), and with annoyed tone tells me that i only have 5 years or 100K km warranty, since im 120K km and few monts over 5 years im out. So i almost gave up but i called another dealership and they told me that there is an extra year on some parts and i might be covered. So ppl always go get a 2nd opinion even if it comes to mazda dealers.... M*****F*****s wont even tell you the truth when you need it.
Im still waiting for an anwser if i get approved, its been a week today.

[woodsball_delight]

curious as to if this warranty is extended to 2007's??? near my sunroof i already have two spots rusting... and ive waxed beginning/end of summer each year ive had it.

[Booter22]

The standard coverage is 5 years unlimited mileage for perforation (Rust) In the 2004 and some 2005 the coverage was extended to 6 years. Now that being said we (QEW Mazda) have also serviced some vehicles this year (2011) already that are a 2004 model year and well outside the already extended perforation warranty. Be aware that on some vehicles that have already expired may still be covered. Mazda is dealing with these claims case by case so even if you are covered within perforation warranty or if you think it has expired, an estimate and pictures must be sent to Mazda Canada for approval prior to any work being performed. Some cases once approved by Mazda do need to be authorized by the local area dealer rep prior to any work being started. This can take about a week or so for Mazda Approval, however if the vehicle does require approval from the Dealer Rep this of course may take longer.

The roof is a bit tricky. This area is prone to rock and stone chips which is not included in the perforation coverage. My recommendation would be to visit your local Mazda Dealer. Have the pictures taken and the estimates for repair quoted and sent in. I don’t want to say it won’t be covered because I am not familiar with your vehicle. But worst case the claim can be sent in and it may or may not be approved.

[dj_adamix]

From what i know, the extended 1 year warranty only covered back fenders, trunk and window panels. Thats what ive been told at the dealership.

[dj_adamix]

I got approved and they fixed my fenders + my trunk as well as rusting window panels. hehe i got lucky.

[Books]

I hope I'm not too late for this. I have an 05 Mazda3 GT. I phoned QEW today and will take it in next week to get it checked out.

[vilmaxima]

My cars warranty ran out last October, it is an 07 are those covered with the extended warranty? Mine is starting to bubble and rust at the back bumper to fender where the screws are.

[rzapata]

The standard coverage is 5 years unlimited mileage for perforation (Rust) In the 2004 and some 2005 the coverage was extended to 6 years. Now that being said we (QEW Mazda) have also serviced some vehicles this year (2011) already that are a 2004 model year and well outside the already extended perforation warranty. Be aware that on some vehicles that have already expired may still be covered. Mazda is dealing with these claims case by case so even if you are covered within perforation warranty or if you think it has expired, an estimate and pictures must be sent to Mazda Canada for approval prior to any work being performed. Some cases once approved by Mazda do need to be authorized by the local area dealer rep prior to any work being started. This can take about a week or so for Mazda Approval, however if the vehicle does require approval from the Dealer Rep this of course may take longer.

The roof is a bit tricky. This area is prone to rock and stone chips which is not included in the perforation coverage. My recommendation would be to visit your local Mazda Dealer. Have the pictures taken and the estimates for repair quoted and sent in. I don’t want to say it won’t be covered because I am not familiar with your vehicle. But worst case the claim can be sent in and it may or may not be approved.

Hi there, I too have the same problem.. There's rust on the rear fenders of my car.. I've got it last year and that rust was already there.. I was wondering if this will still be covered and how should I go about this process?? I have a 2005 Mazda 3 Sedan..

[hali83]

As my car was on the hoist getting an oil change/winter tires taken off yesterday, I noticed some bubbling at the bottom of my front drivers side door :( not even 5 months after they fixed the rust

[zmz3]

The standard coverage is 5 years unlimited mileage for perforation (Rust) In the 2004 and some 2005 the coverage was extended to 6 years. Now that being said we (QEW Mazda) have also serviced some vehicles this year (2011) already that are a 2004 model year and well outside the already extended perforation warranty. Be aware that on some vehicles that have already expired may still be covered. Mazda is dealing with these claims case by case so even if you are covered within perforation warranty or if you think it has expired, an estimate and pictures must be sent to Mazda Canada for approval prior to any work being performed. Some cases once approved by Mazda do need to be authorized by the local area dealer rep prior to any work being started. This can take about a week or so for Mazda Approval, however if the vehicle does require approval from the Dealer Rep this of course may take longer.

The roof is a bit tricky. This area is prone to rock and stone chips which is not included in the perforation coverage. My recommendation would be to visit your local Mazda Dealer. Have the pictures taken and the estimates for repair quoted and sent in. I don’t want to say it won’t be covered because I am not familiar with your vehicle. But worst case the claim can be sent in and it may or may not be approved.

I got owned by that :(

Apparently, the bubbling on my roof is caused by the stone chips, and Mazda Canada does not approve. I took it to QEW Mazda, and I know they tried to get it covered, but no chance.

Odd that stone chips would cause such bubbling... I have it [stone chips] in other areas, but no bubbling.

The dealer did their job, but something is fishy about this bubbling business...

[jwangyue]

I guess I should count myself lucky I did not find rust on my 05 MZ3. Any idea how "common" is this common problem? 10% 50%?

[rage2021]

i hear most people with 04's, 05's get it...i tried calling couple dealerships last year to no avail, got angry and vowed never to buy mazda again.

[rzapata]

Well, I did go to Scarboro Mazda for them to have a look at the rust that's been building up on my car.. The guy there, said that they cannot cover the repair since the car is in fact a 2004 and that rust repair will cost thousands, however the VIN number does say that it is a 2005. So now I have to live by it and get it repaired out of my own pocket... Sucks!

[rage2021]

im just angry i heard about this recall thing too late..like why didnt my dealership notify me of it..ever? i also went to scarboro mazda, never again.

[Flagrum_3]

I thought the rust warranty was extended by Mazda Canada to 6 years for the earlier models....True/False? If so, try another dealer guys.You never know.

_3

[rzapata]

Out of all the dealers, who's already done rust repair for older models??

[Lambocious]

what dealership are you taking it to?

[Booter22]

what dealership are you taking it to?
old thread back from the dead. who are you asking your questiong to?