Following a rear end collision, my 2006 Mazda3 mileage dropped from ~24mpg to ~8mpg, with no torque at all from ~20mph. Significant steering trouble, awful tire noise, and loud knocking when turning were dismissed by the local dealer as "well within specs". requested brake caliper and alignment check, refused by the same dealer; tech performed a road test, declared the problem due to tire feathering and demonstrated 120mph tight curve as remedy. Three sets of tires, one set of wheels [3 of oem were warped], entire complement of motor mounts, two sets of rotors later, I'm about to replace caliper mounts and axles. Car is unsafe, and dealership disregard of warranty and tsbs, and of basic safety standards was outrageous, especially given (ongoing) [spine injury from collision was nearly fatal] circumstances.

- El Cerrito, CA, USA

Took the car into dealer for normal scheduled maintenance (oil change/tire rotation). Told that the #3 engine mount is cracked and needs to be replaced. Service advisor tells me that it is a general occurrence and that he sees 1-2 a week with cracked/broken #3 engine mounts. Mazda headquarters says that it is normal wear/tear on the car and will not cover the engine mount, even through a goodwill account, saying it is my responsibility because it is out of warranty. Service advisor says that these engine mounts should not be breaking and are not normal wear/tear. A tsb was put out in 2007 regarding #3 engine mount replacement, but no recall; however, a recall was put out on mazdaspeed3 for a faulty #4 engine mount. This can be a major safety hazard if it breaks clean through due to Mazda's faulty design flaws. Service advisor suggested that I replace it because it can cause an accident and major engine damage if it breaks. Do not know if Mazda has remedied the situation with a new part or if the old parts are retrofitted to fix the problem.

- Bluffton, SC, USA

I bought the car new from tracy Mazda in June of 2006. In April of 2008 I started hearing a slight ticking noise coming from the engine. This was shortly after the last oil change which was done by speedee oil changers. The mileage was 25,675, 4/18/08, when speedee changed the oil and it was 26,402, 4/25/08, when I took the car into tracy Mazda so they could check on the ticking noise. The service department finally got back to me several days later and said it sounds like a rod knock from cyl #1. they asked for the maintenance records which I then provided, except for one oil change which I had performed myself ( minus the filter which required a special tool). On 5/13/08 tracy Mazda's service department called and informed me they would not fix the vehicle under the warranty. It was going to cost me approximately $6,000 to fix a car that didn't even have 30,000 miles on it. I declined to have them fix it right then and went and got the car. I had the first two oil changes performed at tracy Mazda's service department. The next was performed by speedee oil changers. After that I changed the oil myself. The fifth oil change was on 4/18/08, when I took it back to speed. The mileage between the two speed changes was 14,458. I performed one oil change between the two documented which would make it approximately 7,200 miles between the two. This is a little more than what is suggested between oil changes but not enough to warrant Mazda declining warranty repair. I plan on taking this up with Mazda's upper management in hopes they might make this right.

- Livermore, CA, USA

Engine has failed after 41,000 miles. Bad lower rod. Mazda will not cover under warranty. Vehicle is still under warranty.

- Suwanee, GA, USA