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Mazda Protege Rust Problems

100 messages,  Last post on Dec 24, 2012 at 12:59 PM

You are in the Mazda Protege Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda Protege, Mazda Protege5, Auto Body, Paint, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 5 of 11

#33 of 100 Re: when did Mazda address this rust issue? [gimmestdtranny] by autonomous

Aug 05, 2010 (10:14 am)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Aug 05, 2010 6:52 am)
You are right rust is an issue for the 2002 and 2003 Proteges. Mine started appearing after the third year. I took some preventative maintenance (annual rust proofing) and repair (had rust removed from wheelwells in 2005). Now, over eight years old, my P5 looks very good and should last another couple of years (fingers crossed).
 
Since the Mazda3 replaced the Proteges starting in 2004 the problem may be occurring there. I see you posted the question on the Mazda3 forum which is a good idea.
 
By "hot galvanizing" I suppose you are referring to hot-dip galvanizing. I would imagine they do use the process but frankly, I've never found a reference to it in the Mazda manual or brochures, so it would be interesting to hear one way or the other.

#34 of 100 Re: when did Mazda address this rust issue? [autonomous] by gimmestdtranny

Aug 07, 2010 (8:41 am)

Replying to: autonomous (Aug 05, 2010 10:14 am)
I think I have seen a newer than 04 rusted P3. Trying to figure out the year they got on top of this.
Looks like this thread is not too active though it seems, so I guess Mazda owners are a complacent bunch? lol
 
Thanks for your reply.

#35 of 100 Re: when did Mazda address this rust issue? [gimmestdtranny] by kschleic

Aug 07, 2010 (9:42 am)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Aug 07, 2010 8:41 am)
It is not that we are not active, it is Mazda will not do anything to relieve our loss. I will not buy another Mazda and I will keep driving the one I have, so people can see the rust on the car. Also, if they ever ask me, I will do my best to let them know that Mazda does not back up their cars, once they are bought.

#36 of 100 Re: when did Mazda address this rust issue? [kschleic] by gimmestdtranny

Aug 07, 2010 (9:59 am)

Replying to: kschleic (Aug 07, 2010 9:42 am)
I feel badly for you all. But I agree with your strategy. I did the same with Ford many years ago. I am a huge advocate of boycott by the little guy. Enough little guy boycotts with long-lasting conviction, I have to believe forces a mfgr to pay heed and eventually do the right thing.
 
With my situation with Ford it was not complicated. It was a cut and dried scene in which they called my bluff of a lifetime boycott and they were totally out of line. It wasn't even a grey area call, so I lost permanent lifetime respect for them as a brand, a name, and a family. I have been burned by Ford, GM, Honda, and VW. I personally know many who have been burned by Chrysler. I have had Subaru, Toyota and Nissan all do the right thing. I guess they were born with a conscience.
 
I have found in most situations, it is not a grey area. Either the car co does the correct and proper thing or they stonewall and cause you to become so frustrated they hope (and it is their plan all along) that you simply give up.
 
I think it is extremely important that victims write a registered letter to the head of a co and inform them that their stonewalling cost them a customer for LIFE. And don't waiver from that. Furthermore, when you go to buy your next car, confirm who owns who so that you aren't still supporting their thieving butts only under a different nameplate.
 
I absolutely loved that you spread the word of unfair treatment. I do the same if the opportunity presents itself.

#37 of 100 More rust by icvci

Aug 08, 2010 (7:10 am)

My P5 was rusting pretty badly for a 6 year old vehicle. Especially considering my wife's CR-V has absolutely no signs of rust in basically the same conditions.
 
However, my P5 was totalled last Feb and the problem ceased to be a problem for me
 
I bought a 2007 Mazda 5 with the payoff from the insurance co. It started to show rust too though. I had 2-3 dime sized bubbly-rusty patches on the roof, rust around the wheel wells and some pin-sized marks on the sides. And then I was rear-ended and that car was totaled a month ago.
 
I bought an Accord with the cash and won't look at a Mazda until they figure out how to use water-based paints.

#38 of 100 Re: More rust [icvci] by 02mazda

Aug 08, 2010 (7:20 am)

Replying to: icvci (Aug 08, 2010 7:10 am)
Wow. Are you ok? Two cars totaled! I keep hoping my P5 will meet some kind of early demise, but no luck. My 02 Subie Outback has no rust on it. My friend's MPV, 02 model, also has beaucoup rust on it. Silver in color. I am also leery of Mazdas now, too. A shame as besides the body rusting issues I really do enjoy the cars. Taut ride, fun to drive, well designed. Rust, however, should not be an issue now. Most cars do not rust out so quickly. They do nothing for us, either. I got a quote to fix it: $900. The car may be worth $5k. Hardly worth it now. Good luck.

#39 of 100 Re: when did Mazda address this rust issue? [gimmestdtranny] by 02mazda

Aug 08, 2010 (7:27 am)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Aug 07, 2010 9:59 am)
Subie did right by me, too. At 51k miles I had a bad head gasket. Turns out many Subies, 02 model year, had same problem. Outback, 2.5 engine. No dealer here in town, so took it to a good garage. $1300 later all better. Subie sent me a check for the whole thang. I would have settled for 50%. I bought car off lease. I will definitely look another Subie, but will have reservations about another Mazda, to be sure!

#40 of 100 Re: when did Mazda address this rust issue? [gimmestdtranny] by autonomous

Aug 10, 2010 (1:32 pm)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Aug 07, 2010 8:41 am)
I think I have seen a newer than 04 rusted P3.
Did you mean a Mazda3? The last model year of the P5 was 2003.

#41 of 100 04 Mazda 3 w rust by 02mazda

Apr 17, 2011 (5:38 pm)

At local Lowe's store I saw an 04 Mazda 3 w rust, same places that it occurs w 02 & 03 Protege 5(s). I know it was an 04, as I asked the driver when he exited said vehicle. He said he bought it used. He did not seem nearly as perplexed as I am about it. Mine is really looking terrible on drivers' side rear wheel well. I am livid about it. Mazda needs to own up to this. Otherwise car is grand. Never had a sweeter engine or tranny in car. I am contemplating doing some emergency surgery on mine myself this summer if time. Will look better than it does now. Serious misgivings about another Mazda, believe you me.

#42 of 100 Re: 04 Mazda 3 w rust [02mazda] by zoom_oh_2002p5

Apr 17, 2011 (6:21 pm)

Replying to: 02mazda (Apr 17, 2011 5:38 pm)
My P5 2002 was last production run before the 2003. I ghave 75,000 miles. Rust on both sides over rear wheels. Rust beginning below the front doors. I had some bodywork done two years ago. I'll probably get it done again. I feel the same way about the engine and tranny. I love every minute behind the wheel. Nothing comes close to the fun of driving the M3/P5. Mazda let their users down, no doubt. I talked to a factory rep about my rust at 36,000 miles. He reneged on a promise to split rust repairs 3 ways, me, dealer, and Mazda. I walked from the 50/50 deal the dealer offered because "his" body shop priced double what I could get somewhere else. Somewhere else did an excellent job that lasted two years. Some of the old rust came back, but lots of new stuff developed. I've been off car payments for four years. I figure it is worth fixing up cosmetically for such a great car. I'm in Ohio. Maybe someone in the sun belt has had better luck with their M3/P5 Mazda.

Messages Page 5 of 11

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