Mazda is recalling nearly a half-million Mazda3 (the Mazda Axela in some countries) globally to fix an electronic malfunction that could prevent the windshield wipers from working properly.
Mazda said no accidents were reported, but 29 failure complaints were received by the manufacturer.
The recall covers cars and knock-down parts for the Mazda3 that were shipped between Jan. 2008 and Jul. 2010. It affects 157,700 units in North America, 91,600 in Europe, 84,000 in China and about 20,000 in Japan.
The Mazda3 was introduced in 2004 and the second generation was announced for the 2010 model year. The same problem plagues the Mazda3 and Mazda3 MPS models produced between January 7, 2008 and December 22, 2008.
According to the company statement, the affected vehicles had a film of oxide around the wiper motor’s ground wire contact point. This caused the loss of electronic contact of the wiper with the source, resulting in failure of the device.
According to the automaker, the oxide formation is due to deformation of the ground terminal during the assembly of the wiper motor.
Mazda announced affected cars will be fitted for free with a ground wire in the front wiper motor. The European customers of the affected cars will be informed by the company in written and the owners are required to bring the cars to the authorized dealers.
Article Last Updated: June 16, 2011.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
