25-30 stonechips!!

zephyrantes said:

spicoli: just exactly what are you going to complain about? No offence, but you don't have a valid reason to complain and request a "warranty" on paint if your car has rock chips on it. Even if Mazda had put 3-4 coats of clear on the hood, you'd still get rock chips. I'm sorry if I sound offensive, but I have worked at both a bodyshop and a dealership, and for someone to "complain"/warranty about rock chips on a car with 5000kms is WRONG.

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I think there are two ways to view this problem.

one is that getting chips in the paint is unavoidable, and that everyone's driving patter will eventually result in chips to the paint... whether that happens in the first 5000 km or the 150000th km.

the second is that the Mazda paint application is deficient - resulting in an abnormally high rate of chips versus their expectations. However, not all Mazda3 cars have the same observed problem; the symptom seems to greatly affect some cars while leaving others to a normal chipping amount or no chipping amount.

I love to bitch about things when they aren't going my way - and the hypocrite in me also hates it when others bitch without any real cause. But, I do not believe that saying this paint problem is something that is completely driver error and that people who are complaining need to stop. Personally, I have no probelm with chipped paint (2500 miles or 4000 kilom.). However, the problem that I have amounts to groves being carved into my brake rotors. Should I stop complaining to my dealership and Mazda USA about brakes? My brake problem was just observed at the 3500km mark. Is that too late? Was my driving so bad that I did this - and it's my responsibility to stop bothering Mazda because I'm obviously at fault?

Who is allowed to judge the distinction between a sensible complaint about paint chips or a sensible complaint about a perceived defect in my brakes? A defect is a defect - the fact that some people; even Mazda Representitives take such a harsh stance where they blame driver error or poor driving habits is what we're complaining about. Do you think spicoli would have posted this if he had only 1 or 2 chips in his bumper? Do you think anyone would quesiton their brakes if only a few owners saw one concentric groove in their rotors? Is it just spicoli; by himself voicing this problem? We have this forum to bring to others' attention what we find out about our cars. This small sub-section of Mazda3 owners all over the world has identified a possible defect.

I believe Mazda has a responsiblity to make a conscious effort to make note of these perceived defects in an attempt to find a correlation. They need to identify if a batch of cars had sub-standard paint. They need to identify if some cars have potentially unsafe brake pads. It is wrong that they seem to just be turning a blind eye - and telling customers that they are incorrect for complaining. We paid for a new car... the fact that the car isn't behaving like a new car is cause for complaint and concern.

I hope, but doubt that spicoli's problem is addressed. It is too easy - justly or not - for someone to say that defective paint will not risk lives... but faulty brakes will. So be it... just don't expect the customer to take that with a grain of salt. So far, that is exactly what Mazda is telling those with chips in their paint... that they need to deal with it and shut up. Their expectations shouldn't be on par with other cars... they are wrong. For me, the same message is being conveyed about my brakes. It is obvious that I cannot drive and drag my foot on the pedal too much... it is my fault. It is not a pleasant solution to a perceived problem - and owners will complain because they do not perceive a fair resolution to the matter.

By the way, my Maxima with 135,000 miles has 2 chips on the hood and 3 on the front bumper. I have no problems with my brakes at all. I will not agree with an assertion that in 10 years, no advancement has been made in paint - and brakes are now sub-standard. After driving 2,500 miles - and 1,800 of that was highway behind all types of trucks... I have no chips; that is how it should be.

I only have about 5 noticable chips in the front of my black 3s. However, the paint is really failing on my roof!! Just by the radio attenna my clear coat is comming up! I thought something had driped on it so when I was washing the car I tried to scrub it off. Nothing! It's still there and now looking even worse! It's a white stain. I think my car must have that TSB about the plastic paint gaurd staining the paint job.

First, I have the brakes that I'm still waiting on the dealer for the new pads. And now this!! I'm tempted to file the lemon law paper work for the brakes now so that when they get groves again I can make them buy the car back. I also have a TON of light scratches. I use the softest foam sponges to wash my car and I've had it professionally waxed the first week of ownership after reading about early paint problems here. No help!

Between the brakes, ABS, paint, and God only knows what else will come up (it's only been two months now, imagine year 3!) I'm tempted to get rid of this car. I bought the car to stay away from the dealership service department (had a 00 Volvo S70, always in the shop) but It's been two months and I've talked to the general manager of my dealership no less than 6 times and visited the service department 5 times. NOT looking good. I'm tired of repairing cars and I'm feed up.

Cheers,