NHTSA Complaint #10584625 — 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3

WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHTAWAY PORTION OF A STATE HIGHWAY WITH NO TRAFFIC OR ROAD PROBLEMS (NO POTHOLES OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT), I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AN OBJECT HIT THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE. UPON LOOKING IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY ITEM ON THE ROAD. AFTER THAT HAPPENED, I STARTED HEARING METAL GRINDING SOUNDS UNDER THE CAR WHEN DRIVING ON UNEVEN ROADS. AFTER REMOVING ALL THE ITEMS IN THE TRUNK, INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE, THE SOUND WAS STILL EVIDENT OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT A PART OF ONE OF THE REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN OFF AND HAD GOTTEN LODGED UNDER THE CAR. THE COIL SPRING LOOKED NEW ON 2/3 OF THE SPRING AND RUSTED THROUGH ON THE PART THAT BROKE OFF (THE OTHER 1/3). THE OTHER REAR COIL SPRING LOOKED LIKE IT WAS STARTING TO RUST IN THE SAME AREA AND WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE. WE LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST, BUT MAKE IT A HABIT TO CLEAN THE UNDERCARRIAGE DURING THE WINTER SEASON. AS OWNERS OF A 2009 SUZUKI AND 2005 HONDA ODYSSEY, MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS PART SINCE THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAS NOT OCCURRED WITH ANY OF OUR OTHER VEHICLES. THE MAZDA IS A COMMUTER VEHICLE USED BY ONE PERSON AND RARELY HAS ANYTHING MORE IN THE TRUNK THAN GROCERIES ONCE IN A WHILE, SO OVERLOADING IS A NON-ISSUE. WE ARE IN POSSESSION OF THE COIL SPRINGS THAT WERE REMOVED IF INSPECTION IS REQUIRED. *TR