Body - Seal Plate Hangs Down Due To Missing/Loose Nuts

Bulletin No: 09-001/12

Last Issued: 01/24/2012

Subject:
SEAL PLATE HANGING DOWN DUE TO MISSING OR LOOSE FLANGE CAP NUTS

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS
2010-2012 Mazda3 vehicles with VINs lower than JM1BL******592660
(produced before Jan. 5, 2012)

DESCRIPTION








Some vehicles may exhibit a seal plate hanging down underneath the vehicle before the rear wheels. This is caused by snow or water splashing up and hitting the vertical surface of the seal plate and pushing downward on the plastic nuts and forcing them off. In accordance with a design change to the front bumper, the seal plate has now been eliminated. To correct the problem on vehicles with the seal plates, the plastic nuts are replaced with steel ones.

Customers having this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.

REPAIR PROCEDURE

1. Verify customer concern.





2. Replace the flange nut(s) with steel nut(s) and washer(s) as shown. Also check the tightening torque of the other nuts by hand. If a nut can be loosened by hand, replace it with a steel nut and washer.

3. Verify repair.





PARTS INFORMATION





WARRANTY INFORMATION

NOTE:
^ This warranty information applies only to verified customer complaints on vehicles eligible for warranty repair.

^ This repair will be covered under Mazda's New Vehicle Limited Warranty term.

^ Additional diagnostic time cannot be claimed for this repair.