2008 Mazda 3S Poor Paint Job
 

Hi,

I want to know if anyone has noticed or has had the same issue as me. On my 2008 I have roughly 44K miles on it (bought it Aug '07). I am starting to get rust on my rear wheel wells and it is really bothers me. This car is not even 3 years old yet. Also I have a ton of chips on my hood area. It seems like this cars paint quality is poor at best. I am replacing my belts today so I will take pictures of the wheel well rust and hood chips so people will know what I am talking about. Thanks for any insight!

Here are some pictures of the wheel well rust.

yea its not just mazda but all of the companies take the cheap route when it comes to painting, if they cared then atleast the bumpers would be paint matched (bumpers are darker than the body), i as well have paint chips on my hood but that was from my friends being stupid, other than that all i have is signs of a poor paint job like streaking and the 1 layer of clear coat i swear put on

Yeah...the rust thing is what bothers me a lot though. If the paint chips I can touch it up and live with that, but this rust thing is killing me. I had rust on my 1989 Chevy Celebrity, this car is a 2008, no reason to have rust!

im not tryin to be a dik (just looked at the pics) but could that possibly be brake dust? If not then yea, i dont wash my car often and i have zero rust....on the outside, very minor underside but only cause its been through 3 winters and one of which was in PA

I own a 2005 3Hatch. I have rust around the wheel wells. I returned to the dealer and they said they would fix it, but I pay. Don't deal there anymore. The next Mazda dealer I went to told me, "Don't fix anything, and when it rusts through stop back and we will fix it free". Lifetime rust-through they said. That's where I'm at with this paint/rust issue. Hope this helps somewhat. Streetmach.

Its cool Tracker, but I will say if I mixed up brake dust and rust I prob wouldn't have a job where I am. I am a mechanical engineer at an Aerospace/Defense company.

But I keep my Mazda washed, it is def. rust unfortunately. Next time I go in for an oil change I will have them inspect it and take note of it on the computer so as it gets worse I will keep complaining and maybe they will do something about it.

I appreciate the insight Streetmach. I looked in my owners manual and for the 2008's they have an unlimited mileage-6 yr perforation warranty as far as rust goes. You said yours is lifetime? They changed the warranty coverage around 2006 I believe. It used to be 4 yrs/50k but now it is 3 yr/36k bumper-bumper. :/

I have an 08 mazda 3 s as well. and yes rock chips up the ying yang!
Hate it. Mazda definitely slacked with the paint. ohh well

Just got my '04 painted. Not the entire car (inner fenders, rockers, hood) but I had severe rust around the inner fenders as you have. It's 6 years old and been through 6 New England winters. I clalked it up to that. Also had severe paint chipping on the lower rocker panels on both sides.

My hood also had chips until I had it custom painted 2 tone black. Marble sized rocks on the highway will do that to most paint jobs. You think Mazda paint is bad, try the early 2000 vintage Mitsubishi black! Fades right down to the metal. Heck even the newer Mits' are worse compared to Mazda. But I'm just sayin.