So last week September 26,2018 my wife reported squeaking from the rear end of her 2009 Mazda Demio Chassis DE3FS-xxxxxx.

I jacked up left side and then Right Side and then both together and heard it from the left side. So I thought to myself that the Left side Rear Axle Bushing must be bad. See Photo of the Bushing I am talking about.



So while I check around for availability and cost, I sent her back on the road.

A few days later, she says it is getting loader and that the car feels funny and she thinks the back wheels look off center.
Now when it comes to her car, I take her very seriously about her observations and decided to Jack up the car again.

This time what a SHOCKER! Photos say everything.


2009 Demio Rear Axle Left Side Crack










When I removed the Axle from the car there was ONLY 2cm of metal holding the axle together. Another day on the road and this could have been a disaster.

If you or you know someone who owns a 2008 up Demio (Mazda2) DE Frame, I would seriously have your rear Axle checked very carefully. I missed it the first time and assumed the bushing was bad. Never thought it would really be the axle so my eyes didn't even look there.

Now what is even more worrying was the ease that I could get a Replacement. When I asked parts guy if they had one, he said, "Yes, they crack all the time". I couldn't believe my ears because I hadn't told him why I wanted one.

Now why isn't there a RECALL by Mazda on this? Are we failing to report these cracks because we think we drive a inexpensive (relatively speaking) small car? We just go ahead and fix it ourselves?

 

Interesting. I've been working on Mazda's for over 10 yrs, never seen this before. How long have you owned it for? I'm guessing its had a huge impact at some stage.

 

But I just brought my friends 2011 Demio in for servicing and this is the first thing the mechanic checks saying it’s very common. Even shoved me pictures of several others he had worked on with the same issue.

and yes the axle had a big crack on this one too

 

Its been a while, but just to answer the question on this old thread.... No there was NO impact ever to the car from New.

And yes I too have been made aware of other Demios that had this issue.

 

I believe Mazda2 DE was designed in association with Ford (for the Fiesta). I suspect, but don't actually know, that this part is the same part as on the Fiesta. I wonder if any Fiestas have had this problem. (I am aware the the Mazda2 and Fiesta have different wheel nut spacing but that is just down to the hubs and would not necessarily mean the axle beam is different). I should go outside and check my wife's 2010 Mazda2. I checked the car over a couple of weeks ago for upcoming MOT. I do recall the axle beam is quite rusty / scabby particularly at far ends. I hope I would have noticed a crack like in the pics if there was one but maybe not as it's not an obvious thing I would be checking for. update: just checked it, can't see any cracks but is quite rusty.