Took my car into the local dealer today because the check engine light was on. After they checked the codes, it came back as a low voltage signal. The mechanic did a test and found that the battery was bad and noticed that it was cracked. Does anyone know if Mazdas have issues with their batteries or is this just a one of?

 

How old is the battery?
Was the car outside during the recent cold snap? Cold weather can cause the freezing of the battery liquid & when expanding can crack the casing.

 

Was outside battery is 8 month's old

 

MAZDA does NOT have an issues with batteries as you described.. Simply , see if it is under any warranty if not just get a new one!

 

If outside during the recent cold spell, it likely froze & cracked. What does the dealer indicate as the cause?

 

generally you get a 12 month battery warranty and it really depends on the fine print

I have had outright replacement with a new battery during the 48 month warranty period to prorated by the number of months in service. IF the latter were the case you would get 4/12s credit toward a new OEM battery at which point I might look at other options such as buying a battery at Costco if the OEM price is sky high

 

Batteries can freeze if they are only partially charged, but it needs to be either very discharged or very cold. I've not issues in -10 F temparatures. I think it's a fluke, the battery should have a warranty at only 8 months old, perhaps not 100% at least partial coverage.

 

I am glad to see t hat everyone can find info on the internet. butt real world a battery freezing is rare. Exception are always there but I looked at the reported temperature and have my doubts. I will simply say that a cars battery in the locations chosen by the vehicle manufacture tends to isolate and insulate some what. A simple picture would either support or dismiss the frozen battery suggestion? Besides why did the person that tested mention it? And I might also add that the posted age of the battery is not necessarily the actual manufactured age of the battery.


LOL why is it so hard to get a new battery and be on your way?

 

Just a bad battery. I just heard that Mazda had a bad run of batteries, but if that's not the case then that's ok. They did replace under warranty

 

Glad to hear that is all it was and that you got it Warrantied. But I would like to know where you read that MAZDA had a "batch" of bad batteries.

I get all TSBs and there was NOTHING from MAZDA directly that I have received through the shop ALL Data and a couple other service subscribed websites we use. I think even our resident MAZDA technician "GP" can also confirm this? But if you have the source confirming that from MAZDA it would help to dispel yet another internet MYTH! hehe!