NHTSA complaint: 2004 MAZDA MAZDA3 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKE ROTOR AND PADS EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE WEAR. ABS SYSTEM SEEMS TO ACTIVATE PREMATURELY AT THE REAR WHEELS UNDER HEAVY BRAKING IN DRY CONDITIONS. REAR BRAKES WILL NEED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT AT 32K MILES WHILE THE FRONTS LOOK TO LAST 100K. DEALER SAYS WEAR IS NORMAL, INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS SAY NOT. THIS MAY BE EVIDENCE OF IMPROPER BRAKE BALANCE BETWEEN FRONT AND REAR WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY ISSUES EITHER DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR AND PARTS FAILURE OR UNDER CERTAIN BRAKING CONDITIONS. APPARENT PEMATURE ACTIVATION OF ABS SYSTEM DURING SUDDEN BRAKING STARTLED A YOUNG DRIVER OF THIS CAR WHO RELEASED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE MISTAKING ABS PULSATION FOR A BRAKE FAILURE AND STRUCK ANOTHER CAR AS A RESULT. *NM
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation