MX-3.com

Hey guys,

Found out about the seatbelt recall couple weeks ago when the seatbelt on driver side started to stick and is now really stuck. I've pulled the fuse for now.

I called to talked to a Mazda dealership here in San Diego today, the service person said the recall covered the belt/rail but not the motor... so they have to determin which part is in need of repair. He said there is a fee for the diagnosis.. $74.90.. and if they determin it's the belt/rail, they will repair that free but I'll still have pay the $74.90.. and if it's the motor, that is NOT covered and will run about $300 + $74.90?!

Does that sound reasonable at all? I just re-read the recall letter here and it stated "Please schedule an appointment with your Mazda dealer to have this recall performed free of charge." and "If your dealer or distributor does not remedy this defect without charge and/or within a reasonable amount of time.." to contact Highway Safety Adminstration.

I haven't called HSA since I'm at work... Wondering if anyone had recently taken their MX-3 back in for the recall? Don't want to be paying for a recall that's supposed to be "free of charge". But then the recall was issued back in 1998, and I'm not the original owner... or does that matter?

Thanks much.

Phil.

It depends on the VIN range. I'm sure your vehicle falls into this range, though. It stats the range on the recall notice. If you do fall into that range, then the seatbelt recall is for the life of the vehicle, no matter who owns it.

The dealership should do it for free. My dealership tried to pull the wacky on me, so I called corporate Mazda and they helped me get it all taken care of.

Call another dealership.

If they try to charge you, go up there requesting a copy of the recall, and get their BBB Id. Also ask if they have a number for the mazda USA corporate office as well.
If the warranty is free for you..tell them if they are going to charge you for a recall, your going to call both the BBB and Mazda. Dont be pushed around because they wanna make a quick buck.

So regardless of if it's belt/rail or motor that needs repair, the dealership should do it all for free?(I would think so from reading the recall letter on mx-3.com) And if that's the case, diagnostic should also be free yes?

I will try another dealership as suggested and after a bit more feedback from you guys, I'm guessing I'll have to call Mazda coporate and/or Highway Safety Adminstration.


Phil.

They should at least look at it for free.

There is a recall on the auto seatbelts? Hmm, looks like now might be a time for my harnesses.

Seriously, I guess I should go chat with the dealer about this one.

My lap belt wasn't hooked up when I got my car and when I hooked it up, it didn't work at all, so I checked the fuses and found a fuse for the belts..hmmm..but it was missing. So I put another 30 amper in and now I have a loud clicking whirling noise in the panel behind my drivers seat in the rocker panel area kinda.. and the belt doesn not move as it is designed. the passenger lap belt works fine!! I pulled the fuse and the belt stays latched in the locked position on the drivers side. I need to find out more info somehow. How can you tell if it is the rail or the motor>? If its a recall it should cover WHATEVER is wrong.

Sounds like the motor is still operational.

I've actually gotten used to pulling the seatbelt over me on mine. I've just been too lazy to take it to the Mazda dealership here to get it repaired because, well, they're jerks and they scare me. Mine just doesn't work at all... Never did.. still doesn't.

I get a lot of crap whenever I go somewhere to ask questions or get work done on my car. Plus, it was the Mazda repair tech at the dealership that told me I needed my Automatic Transmission Fluid refilled... is it me or don't I drive a stick shift... I've been wondering what my right hand was doing trying to shift gears everytime I've driven that car... man... I was so confused!

I keep telling myself I'll eventually get around to it.