Mazda 3s are facing a rather unique problem that leaves many owners helpless.
Mazda3s produced in 2012 and 2013, equipped with the Skyactiv engine and six-speed manual transmission, suffer from a failure due to the unavailability of a key cable. Discontinued by Mazda in 2019.
The cable has become unobtainable, forcing vehicles that are still in good condition to stand still. Timothy Allen, an aggrieved owner, highlights the difficulty of repairing the part, with expensive quotes and a search that has not yielded any replacement parts.
The Cable of Discord
Mazdas have long been considered reliable. But times are changing, and for some used owners, that reputation is now over. Owners of the 2012 and 2013 Mazda3s, which feature the Skyactiv engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission, are facing a rather comical problem. A cable, important for the proper functioning of the gear lever, has not been produced by Mazda since 2019. This means that if this cable needs to be replaced for some reason, it will be impossible to replace it, thus resulting in immobilization of the vehicle.
For Timothy Allen, owner of a 2013 Mazda3, this cable became a nightmare. After having difficulty shifting, he discovered that his cable was damaged and repairing it was nearly impossible. “It’s a shame, because it’s the most reliable vehicle I’ve ever owned.”he explains in the columns of The DriveHis car, which has covered nearly 250,000 km without any major problems, is now condemned to immobility due to a lack of spare parts.
Mazdas fail prematurely
Allen attempted to make a custom cable, but the quotes were several thousand dollarsmaking the solution economically impossible. In addition, the search for spare parts from dealers and scrapyards has never been successful. This case is far from isolated. Many Mazda3 owners find themselves in the same situation. The fact that Mazda stopped producing this part has caused a chain reaction: Cars in excellent condition, with still reasonable mileage, are being pushed to the scrapyard simply because of the inability to replace a cable.. Motorists are frustrated: they all mention the unavailability of spare parts. It is unfortunate to see that what was once a model of reliability can find itself at the mercy of a part that has become rare.
This cable is composed of a complex assembly that unfortunately few mechanics are able to repair. The simplest solution would be to restart production of this cable and make it available on the market. Mazda has every interest in taking a close look at this problem, which unfortunately could tarnish its reputation.
Mazda3 owners may no longer trust the brand because of a simple cable, which should normally be available in abundance on the market.
Source: www.autoplus.fr
