If for some reason you've forgotten to tighten even a single lug nut that holds a wheel to a vehicle, it won't take long for anyone to notice that something is definitely not right. If you're not aware that this has been what's happening to your car, it's definitely a cause for a surprise. This is the reason why Mazda is recalling some of its cars.
Mazda has issued a recall for approximately 25,000 2019 Mazda3 vehicles in both sedan and hatchback models. The cars being recalled were produced between Sept. 25, 2018, and April 19, 2019. Mazda received the first field report of "Wheel nuts loosened after run-in drive" from outside the U.S. market.
The recall report states that the issue is rooted from the wheel lug nuts, which secures the wheel of the car to the car itself. According to Mazda, an error in manufacturing caused a gap between a flange in the hub bearing assembly and the hub bolt head, which could lead to the lug nuts loosening.
If the lug nuts loosen and no immediate action is performed, the wheel may fall off, which is a huge safety concern. The company says that a sign of loose wheels is a rattling sound and that drivers will potentially feel some shuddering in the steering wheel.
Thankfully, no instances of wheels falling off cars have been reported. There have been no reported accidents, injuries, or deaths resulting from this defect.
Mazda was informed of the issue in April after receiving a field report indicating a loosened lug nut. The automaker immediately found the root of the problem and remedied the assembly process to get rid of the gap between the parts. It then prompted a recall for all Mazda3 cars already out of the factory.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Mazda did not specify which of the various versions of the Mazda3 are affected-be it sedan or hatchback, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, automatic or manual-but it affects cars built both at Mazda's Hiroshima, Japan, and Salamanca, Mexico factories.
Mazda technicians will repair the recalled vehicles at the dealership by tightening the lug nuts. This should get rid of the gap between the parts and prevent the problem from happening again. The company notes that replacement parts aren't needed.
Owners of the Mazda3 will be notified on August 6, 2019, but if you own a 2019 Mazda3, you might want to have your car checked, and inform your friends as well. Mazda dealerships are ready for repairs, completely free of charge.
