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SUVs Mazda CX-9 Various questions regarding the Mazda CX-9
39 messages, Last post on Nov 29, 2009 at 6:11 PM
You are in the Mazda CX-9 Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Hi Gang, I am having a quality problem with the interior door piece on my CX-9 and wanted to find out if anyone else is having the same problem as I am. I have a 2008 CX-9 AWD GT with 8K miles and less than 5 months old. A few weeks ago, I went out of town, and let my wife borrow the CX-9 yeah, I gave her plenty of warnings about where to park….far from everyone else). When I returned, I found no dings or damage on the outside of the car, but I did find the interior door handle all scratched up. I am referring to the metallic finish, plastic piece that runs the horizontal interior length of the door and is used for opening and closing the door while seated inside. We have no dogs, cats or even kids so this could not be from them. What I determined was that the scratching was caused by her wedding rings or fingernails as she climbed in and out of the car those few days. I saw similar (but not as much) on the passenger side which she is the ONLY person to ever use that door. While getting my thoughts together to bring the car in this Friday for a few TSB fixes, I lightly ran my bitten fingernail (i.e. no real nail) across the plastic piece and WHAM! Instant scratch! I was thinking WTF! If this is truly a door handle, as designed by Mazda, I would expect that this piece would hold up to many years of opening and closing without much impact. If this was truly a quality piece, I would expect Mazda to design this piece to withstand REAL fingernails on many different types of people. But what I found was that this piece is defective. It is my belief now that this piece is defective from Mazda and clearly not designed well, or the production process on the date my handles were manufactured had a defect in the production line. Surely I should not be able to easily scratch this metal, with the slightest rubbing of my fingernail. Right? It diesn't look like I can attach the photos here, but you should get the picture. Thanks H
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Replying to: howardru (Oct 15, 2008 7:01 pm) Pic posting instructions are in the help link below. If you need a place to host the photos, your CarSpace Albums page is a good choice. |
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Replying to: howardru (Oct 15, 2008 7:01 pm) I wish someone make real aluminum pieces to replace them. I would be first in line to buy them. |
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Replying to: howardru (Oct 15, 2008 7:01 pm) They are replacing all the metal trim door handle pieces. Not a single question asked. They said they had not heard of this before. however, I think if we all go back to our dealers and demand replacement, they'll get the idea that there is a quality problem. I just wrote a letter to the Director of Customer Satisfaction with photos and a short video of how EASY it is to scratch the piece with a finger that has no real fingernail. Now, I need to find a clear film to put over the new pieces so the same problem does not happen again. I'll keep you posted. |
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Replying to: abpelch1 (Oct 08, 2008 2:29 pm) FYI, Etrailer aftermarket hitch is designed for non factory tow packages as it fits in under existing rear valence and not flush with factory valence cutout, approx 4 inches lower. I have addressed this with etrailer as non factory tow package vehicles will have limited use for a 4000lbs capacity hitch and this puts hitch a little to low for comfort!!!! Thanks
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Replying to: tbo01 (Nov 02, 2008 6:09 pm) My popup has a GVW of 2780lbs with a GVWR of 3750, which should be no problem falling within with the 4000lb hitch rating & the Aussie tow specs. My primary concern is the 389lb trailer tongue weight, which is really pushing the 400lb rating of the hitch. to solve that I'm just going to make sure I pack more weight in the back of the trailer. I do not feel the need to install sway bars or load distributors through my towing experiences so far, which include highway driving at 75mph and curvy backroads in 90+ degree Nevada heat. The CX-9 appears to be up to the task. 
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Replying to: abpelch1 (Nov 05, 2008 1:37 pm)
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Replying to: ceric (Nov 05, 2008 3:38 pm) |
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Replying to: abpelch1 (Nov 05, 2008 1:37 pm) Out of curiosity, have you weighed combined vehicle-trailer with people, supplies etc at truck stop or similiar? I will have to take into account the larger "sail" area of a hybrid, but 60-65mph should be good while maximizing fuel mileage. If no feedback from E-trailer on hitch design, I may have a body shop come up with some valence mod (faux skid plate etc) to cover hole and please the wife, though still would prefer hitch to sit higher for clearence reasons. I'll provide CX9 performance feedback once camper in hand, and first trip completed. Thanks again |
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Replying to: tbo01 (Nov 10, 2008 8:30 am) I guess my wife doesn't care about the hitch being lower than the notch...she's too happy about not having to sleep on the ground in a tent anymore! My Here's a picture of my set-up. I'm sure it's more aerodynamic than a hard-sided trailer. Sorry about the black & white, my wife changed the setting on the camera behind my back.  From junk
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