Mazda3 Recalled Due to Wheel Problems

Mazda is recalling units of its bestselling Mazda3 due to a possible defect on the compact car’s wheel assembly.

In a document released by the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the automaker’s North American operations has issued a safety recall for units of the 2019 Mazda3 “which may have had a partial gap between the hub bolts and hub flanges during assembly.” This might cause the lug nuts to completely loosen up and the wheels to fall off under continuous normal driving conditions.

The company is pulling out cars built from September 25, 2018 to April 19, 2019. A total of 25,003 Mazda3 units are affected by the recall, according to Mazda, which amounts to one percent of the model’s entire volume. The cars with the said wheel assembly defect were assembled either in Mazda’s Japan or Mexico plants.

Mazda has clarified, however, that the company is not aware of any reported accidents or injuries related to the recall.

Owners of Mazda3 units will be notified by the brand beginning August 6, 2019. Mazda also announced that dealerships will be offering retightening services to Mazda3 owners at no cost.

Despite the recall, NHTSA told interested Mazda3 buyers not to worry about the condition and performance of the car as the carmaker is already in the process of retightening the wheel nuts in its Japanese and Mexican plants since April 19, 2019 and May 3, 2019, respectively.