The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, nw hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and washington, dc. In areas where large quantities of road salt are used, corrosive pits can develop on the surface of the front suspension coil spring. Repeated use can eventually cause the coil spring to break and a tire could be punctured from contact with the broken coil spring.
The risk
This condition increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix
Dealers will install a guard assembly which will prevent the broken coil spring from contacting the tire. In addition to performing the recall campaign, mazda is extending the warranty coverage on the front coil springs for the lift of the vehicle. If owners have already paid for the repair or replacement of these front coil springs, due to road salt damage, mazda will reimburse these owners for reasonable expenses.
Contacts
Notes: owner notification is expected to begin september 15, 1997. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Mazda dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 97V116000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.