Cracks in tailgate

deisz001 · 06-09-2009, 01:57 PM

Hi all,

After reading a thread in a Dutch Mazda forum, I discovered two cracks in the tailgate of my Mazda5. The cracks are located near the hinges. I've attached two pictures of the cracks. I included a ruler (in cm.) to give an idea of the size. The crack on the left is about 6cm, the one on the right about 4cm.

This is a Dutch 2005 1.8 Mazda5. I've already spoken with my local Mazda dealership and they say they have seen this problem in more Mazda5's, even an almost new one. They were a bit unsure about whether or not this is covered by guarantee.

Does anyone here have the same problem with the Mazda5?

Cheers! Stefan.

deisz001 · 06-23-2009, 03:25 PM

Just returned from the dealer who has taken some pictures to send to Mazda for a service request. They say Mazda does not replace the liftgate anymore as they did with previous cases with the same cracks. Instead of replacing the liftgate, they will glue it. (Which I'm not totally happy about :-( )
The dealer showed me an official service bulletin about this issue. Unfortunately I can't find this bulletin anywhere on the net. Maybe someone over here?
Another thing they told me is that this problem with the tailgate is one of the things that was improved with the recent facelift of the Mazda5. The tailgate is now made of thicker plastic. (And that is the main reason I'm not very positive about glueing the cracks: the liftgate isn't going to be stronger than before the cracks...)

Cheers! Stefan.

coolmazda5 · 06-23-2009, 09:49 PM

Hello Stefan,

Here is the list of technical service bulletins (TSBs) for North America, but I don't see that one. Until now I've been realizing that Mazda actually starting selling Mazda5s as 2005 models (after replacing the 1st gen Premacy) in Europe, while in the US and Canada started selling them as 2006 models, so not sure if it applies to us. Regardless, there are a couple of guys from Europe here. I've PM'ed you their member names so drop them another PM, perhaps they know where those TSBs are for the European models

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showt...hp?t=123724110

coolmazda5 · 06-23-2009, 09:52 PM

Oh, and worst case scenario, tell the dealer to get you an aftermarket spoiler at least (not sure what model you have, if it does not have the OEM spoiler that may help)

http://www.mazdastuff.com/product.cfm?ProductID=2717

canadianexpress · 06-25-2009, 03:46 PM

Yup just noticed my have the same problem. Sadly my car is approaching 4 years and most likely not covered for any work on it.

coolmazda5 · 06-25-2009, 05:10 PM

Damn, so they also made it to NA. Anyone else?

deisz001 · 06-28-2009, 03:59 PM

Sad to hear that it's not limited to Europe...
I think you really should try to have this fixed under warranty. I really think it's something that shouldn't happen to the tailgate. And it's a fact that there's a TSB about it (saw it at my local dealer, but unfortunately haven't got a copy), so it's a known issue. It's also a fact (at least: my dealer told me so) that the newer Mazda5's have a tailgate made of thicker plastic. Let's guess one time why they did that...
I contacted the Dutch Automobile Association (ANWB) about this issue, and they support my thinking that if my Mazda5 gets new cracks after the warranty has expired, Mazda should fix it again under warranty. (but I hope I won't have to experience that...)

Cheers! Stefan.

mazdadude · 06-28-2009, 08:21 PM

I just inspected mine and no cracks.

Perhaps this is a snow/cold weather issue?

antlind · 06-28-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazdadude

I just inspected mine and no cracks.

Perhaps this is a snow/cold weather issue?

Perhaps not...I live in Calgary and my 06 is okay so far.

Zoom5Zoom · 07-01-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadianexpress

Yup just noticed my have the same problem. Sadly my car is approaching 4 years and most likely not covered for any work on it.

can you post pics please

Captain KRM P5 · 07-01-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deisz001

nstead of replacing the liftgate, they will glue it. (Which I'm not totally happy about :-( )
.

wow thats awful. i have not had this happen to mine but will keep an eye out for it.

coolmazda5 · 07-01-2009, 08:58 PM

While driving today I saw a couple of USDM Sports with no popular package and they look rather different, so silly question to the ones with the problem, what type of tailgate do you have? The one with the OEM spoiler or the one without it? Would it be any difference in the design?

Captain KRM P5 · 07-01-2009, 08:59 PM

i don't think that it is to be honest.

dfskinner · 07-05-2009, 12:07 AM

I've got the same problem..... I believe it's from over opening the tailgate..... not sure.......

You know how the tailgate opens, then it will go just a little bit more.... once it completed that second stage I pushed it to make sure it was open all the way and I believe that's when the cracks appeared...... I've had a body shop take a look and they too believe it's stress cracks...... we're going to sand them down just a bit and repair the paint.... nothing much else can be done and mazda is sure not touching this.........

canadianexpress · 07-24-2009, 06:11 AM

I wonder if this will damage anything if left alone as rain water or even ice get in there in the winter?

06-09-2009, 01:57 PM	#1
deisz001 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 17	Cracks in tailgate Hi all, After reading a thread in a Dutch Mazda forum, I discovered two cracks in the tailgate of my Mazda5. The cracks are located near the hinges. I've attached two pictures of the cracks. I included a ruler (in cm.) to give an idea of the size. The crack on the left is about 6cm, the one on the right about 4cm. This is a Dutch 2005 1.8 Mazda5. I've already spoken with my local Mazda dealership and they say they have seen this problem in more Mazda5's, even an almost new one. They were a bit unsure about whether or not this is covered by guarantee. Does anyone here have the same problem with the Mazda5? Cheers! Stefan. Attached Thumbnails

06-23-2009, 09:49 PM	#3
coolmazda5 Look Mom, A Real Clutch! Donated: $15 Mazda5 & Hybrid Mazdas Moderator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wawa Land (NE US) Posts: 4,448	Hello Stefan, Here is the list of technical service bulletins (TSBs) for North America, but I don't see that one. Until now I've been realizing that Mazda actually starting selling Mazda5s as 2005 models (after replacing the 1st gen Premacy) in Europe, while in the US and Canada started selling them as 2006 models, so not sure if it applies to us. Regardless, there are a couple of guys from Europe here. I've PM'ed you their member names so drop them another PM, perhaps they know where those TSBs are for the European models http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showt...hp?t=123724110 __________________ - 2006 Mazda5, 5MT Sport, Carbon Gray, Popular Package, OEM Fogs. OEM Cargo Cover - 2008 Mazda5, 5MT Sport, Stormy Blue Mica, Popular Package, Aux Input, TPMS, The Thule Roof Rack Works, *MAZDASPEED* Shift Knob [How to Search & Post]

06-23-2009, 09:52 PM	#4
coolmazda5 Look Mom, A Real Clutch! Donated: $15 Mazda5 & Hybrid Mazdas Moderator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wawa Land (NE US) Posts: 4,448	Oh, and worst case scenario, tell the dealer to get you an aftermarket spoiler at least (not sure what model you have, if it does not have the OEM spoiler that may help) http://www.mazdastuff.com/product.cfm?ProductID=2717 __________________ Sigs are visible only in your first post on a page. To change your thread display preferences, click here and enable 'Always Show Signature'.

06-25-2009, 05:10 PM	#6
coolmazda5 Look Mom, A Real Clutch! Donated: $15 Mazda5 & Hybrid Mazdas Moderator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wawa Land (NE US) Posts: 4,448	Damn, so they also made it to NA. Anyone else? __________________ Sigs are visible only in your first post on a page. To change your thread display preferences, click here and enable 'Always Show Signature'.

06-28-2009, 08:21 PM	#8
mazdadude ZOOOOOOOOOM ZOOOOOOOOOOOM Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 597	I just inspected mine and no cracks. Perhaps this is a snow/cold weather issue? __________________ Mazda's I have owned over the years. 80' Mazda GLC SPORT - sold 81' Mazda 626 - sold 81' Mazda 626 LX - sold 82' Mazda 626 - sold 82' Mazda 626 LX - sold 85' Mazda 626 - sold 87' Mazda 626 GT Turbo - sold 85' Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE - sold 87' Mazda RX-7 Turbo 2 - sold 91' Mazda Protege LX - sold 92' Mazda MX-5 Miata - sold 93' Mazda MX-3 GS Special Edition - sold 00' Mazda 626 LX-V6 - sold 02' Mazda Protege5 - sold 06' Mazda 5 Touring Auto - current 92' Mazda MX-5 Miata - current Mazda 16x Savings Jar Contents: Right Now there is $600 in the 16x Savings Jar

06-23-2009, 03:25 PM	#2
deisz001 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 17	Just returned from the dealer who has taken some pictures to send to Mazda for a service request. They say Mazda does not replace the liftgate anymore as they did with previous cases with the same cracks. Instead of replacing the liftgate, they will glue it. (Which I'm not totally happy about :-( ) The dealer showed me an official service bulletin about this issue. Unfortunately I can't find this bulletin anywhere on the net. Maybe someone over here? Another thing they told me is that this problem with the tailgate is one of the things that was improved with the recent facelift of the Mazda5. The tailgate is now made of thicker plastic. (And that is the main reason I'm not very positive about glueing the cracks: the liftgate isn't going to be stronger than before the cracks...) Cheers! Stefan.

06-25-2009, 03:46 PM	#5
canadianexpress Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: GTA Posts: 126	Yup just noticed my have the same problem. Sadly my car is approaching 4 years and most likely not covered for any work on it.

06-28-2009, 03:59 PM	#7
deisz001 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 17	Sad to hear that it's not limited to Europe... I think you really should try to have this fixed under warranty. I really think it's something that shouldn't happen to the tailgate. And it's a fact that there's a TSB about it (saw it at my local dealer, but unfortunately haven't got a copy), so it's a known issue. It's also a fact (at least: my dealer told me so) that the newer Mazda5's have a tailgate made of thicker plastic. Let's guess one time why they did that... I contacted the Dutch Automobile Association (ANWB) about this issue, and they support my thinking that if my Mazda5 gets new cracks after the warranty has expired, Mazda should fix it again under warranty. (but I hope I won't have to experience that...) Cheers! Stefan.

07-01-2009, 08:58 PM	#12
coolmazda5 Look Mom, A Real Clutch! Donated: $15 Mazda5 & Hybrid Mazdas Moderator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wawa Land (NE US) Posts: 4,448	While driving today I saw a couple of USDM Sports with no popular package and they look rather different, so silly question to the ones with the problem, what type of tailgate do you have? The one with the OEM spoiler or the one without it? Would it be any difference in the design? __________________ Sigs are visible only in your first post on a page. To change your thread display preferences, click here and enable 'Always Show Signature'.

07-01-2009, 08:59 PM	#13
Captain KRM P5 P1kaChu Haz P4rts 4 yU0 Donated: $15 Authorized Vendor Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Grayslake, IL Posts: 27,983	i don't think that it is to be honest. __________________ Sigs are visible only in your first post on a page. To change your thread display preferences, click here and enable 'Always Show Signature'.

07-05-2009, 12:07 AM	#14
dfskinner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Virginia Beach, Va Posts: 69	I've got the same problem..... I believe it's from over opening the tailgate..... not sure....... You know how the tailgate opens, then it will go just a little bit more.... once it completed that second stage I pushed it to make sure it was open all the way and I believe that's when the cracks appeared...... I've had a body shop take a look and they too believe it's stress cracks...... we're going to sand them down just a bit and repair the paint.... nothing much else can be done and mazda is sure not touching this......... __________________ dfskinner If you don't know where you want to go.... "Then it doesn't much matter how you get there" (2006 Mazada 5)

07-24-2009, 06:11 AM	#15
canadianexpress Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: GTA Posts: 126	I wonder if this will damage anything if left alone as rain water or even ice get in there in the winter?

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