Mazda3 may be vulnerable to break-ins

[jruhi4]

As Autoblog states in their introduction to their write-up, "We debated on posting this because we always seem to get nailed in the comments for advertising a new way to break the law, but we feel it's important information for Mazda3 owners and we're encouraged by Mazda's reaction to the situation so far."

What Autoblog is referring to is an article that appeared in Canada's Mobile Magazine website:

Breaking: Mazda 3 vehicles lock assembly issue causes alarm
By: Fabrizio Pilato

A rash of Mazda 3 owners have fell victim to a sneaky method of forced entry to their zoom zooms. When returning to their vehicles the passenger side door has a dent, and all of the items once in their cars, are now gone. No glass smashed, no door locks jimmied, just a side blow to the door will grant entry to the thief.

According to a Mazda dealership that wishes to remain anonymous, it works by someone creating a large blow in just the right place on the door panel. It will leave a dent in the door of course, but this dent goes past the door frame, to the lock assembly mechanism and activates the linkage also tricking the computer into thinking that it was legitimately unlocked by your key or remote.

This problem is with all Mazda 3 cars, and it may even be to other models, we just don't know the extent of this issue yet. Mazda has known about this problem for over 4 months now according to local Victoria Police, all that is being done at the moment is if you have been subject to a break-in, you can get a reinforced door lock assembly and a protective plate that will stop this from happening again. One victim on A Channel News Victoria claims that Mazda will repair his locking assembly, but not the dent in his door caused by the break in itself.

Mazda Canada at the moment has no policy on repairing this problem for anyone that has not been subject to a break-in.

One dealer has said they would upgrade the lock assembly and reinforced protector plate at no charge.

Update: Greg Young, Director of Corporate Public Relations for Mazda spoke with me this morning. He acknowledges that Mazda has been aware of this issue since October 2006, they have been working on the situation with some degree of considerable effort and expertise. Mazda is studying it, and they have made a countermeasure in components from Cars that have been built in January 2007 in Japan. This countermeasure is to prevent this specific type of break-in. There is no defect in the product; the countermeasure produced will make it more difficult or not possible to break-in to the vehicle in this specific way. However, as any vehicle is susceptible to a break-in, normal precautions should be taken.

Mazda has not determined whether they will upgrade vehicles that have not been broken into.

If you are concerned with your vehicle, a supplemental aftermarket alarm system may be a solution, and obviously do not leave any valuables in clear view and plain sight.

http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/354/C11410/

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/19/m...-to-break-ins/

[DHCrocks]

great now punks are going to be kicking doors to see if they can get in.

[m3thod]

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/19/m...-to-break-ins/

"We debated on posting this because we always seem to get nailed in the comments for advertising a new way to break the law, but we feel it's important information for Mazda3 owners and we're encouraged by Mazda's reaction to the situation so far. First the deets: it appears that a few owners of the Mazda3 have come back to their vehicles to find their valuables missing but no visible signs of breaking and entering like shattered glass or broken locks. The only clue left by thieves is a big dent in the front passenger door. Canadian website MobileMag.com got the skinny from an anonymous Mazda dealer that if one hits the passenger door hard in just the right spot it will affect the lock assembly mechanism and unlock the doors. Mystery solved.

Mazda has been aware of and working on this issue since October of 2006, and this month it began installing a "countermeasure" in all Mazda3s being built in Japan. For those who have already had their cars broken into, in some cases Mazda has agreed to install a reinforced door lock assembly and a protective plate to prevent the same break-in from happening again, though it has not offered to repair the dents. At this point, Mazda does not consider this "trick" a defect in the product and it hasn't decided whether or not all Mazda3s will be called back to have the countermeasure installed.

We think they should be voluntary called back and have the countermeasures installed. While a thief will get into your vehicle one way or another if he wants to, being able to do it without smashing glass or looking terribly suspicious makes the Mazda3 a much more tempting target. Still, no one should leave valuables out in the open and give criminals a reason to target your vehicle. "

[Mazdaspeed]

Woah.

Better install new locks Wino!

[m3thod]

what's bad is now that it's more known I can only assume there will be alot more people with stolen items. I guess until owners get it fixed they should treat their car as a soft top!

[magoo]

Mazda3 may be vulnerable to break-ins

[jruhi4]

Originally Posted by magoo

Mazda3 may be vulnerable to break-ins

Thanks for letting me know. I just merged this thread into my older one.

[chancellor842]

man that sucks for mazda guys.

can someone say sitting duck