NHTSA Complaint #10863597 — 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3

THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME BREAKS RESULTING IN THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE TO ROCK BACKWARDS WITH THE SEAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN FORWARD MOTION. THE CAR BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE WHEN THE SEAT ROCKS BACK CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HOLD THEMSELVES UPRIGHT TRYING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT EXHIBITS CHARACTERISTICS THAT CAN ONLY BE CALLED UNSAFE. THIS DEFECT WILL ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH INJURY OR DEATH. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED. THE DEFECT WITH THE SEAT FRAME ALSO RENDERS THE SEAT BELT USELESS AND IS SAFETY HAZARD COMPOUNDED BY THE SEAT FRAME BREAKING LOOSE. THIS DEFECT APPEARS TO HAPPEN ONLY ON THE 2010 MAZDA 3 MODEL AND THERE ARE MANY ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS, BOTH HERE AND IN PUBLIC FORUMS. MAZDA NEEDS TO RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF A SEAT FRAME THAT IS BUILT SO AS NOT TO BREAK IN NORMAL USE. WHY THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED IS NEGLIGENT. MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALER GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $980.00 TO REPAIR THE SEAT FRAME. THE MANAGER WAS NOT WILLING TO NEGOTIATE THE COST OF THE REPAIR NOR WILLING TO DISCUSS FURTHER.