As a defect it is very un-common for any vehicle. It is also easy to see looking at the break and location of the break to speculate what may have been the cause of the failure. The fact that it took this many years and miles leads me to suspect not a defect?

 

I'll have to wait to see the removed part, but the usual culprit is corrosion. My old E46 BMW was known for this, but it was only a problem in the northern tier "winter salt belt" states, and the Mazda has been through four Michigan winters. I have an engineering background with some concentration in strength of materials, so I can usually make a guess at the failure mode of a component like this -- especially one that has such a simple structure, stressed in torsion.

 

I've got 2 springs with both shocks sitting in my closet from my 16 (upgraded suspension / eventually traded car to the 18.) with like 11-12k miles on them if you're interested.

 

Apparently not uncommon with the Mazda 3. There have been others that have reported broken rear springs in the past (right rear seems prevalent, usually the bottom coil ) . Look at it as an opportunity for a suspension upgrade.:smile2: If you are still on the OEM dampers now would be the time to replace them too.

 

Exactly correct: the right rear, bottom of the coil.

 

I'm from the north but I don't envy having to deal with the winter abuse down here in FL.

 

I have to replace my right rear spring. 2014 I touring sedan with 75000 miles.
How much should this cost using OEM springs that cost about $50.?

 

Did you have this done and where did you get the spring. I have a 2014 with a broken rear coil and am having an issue finding the part. Do you have a part number.

 

About $50 bucks.....should take you about an hour to install it if you stop to have a coffee....

 

Yes thanks, The repair shop said 40 minutes and it's about as easy as they come. But they want to charge me $75 for the spring and do a wheel alignment after.

 

Find a new shop or do it yourself....you should not need an alignment unless there are other indications that you do. Even so, the shop does what you tell them to. They should not be telling you what they want to do.....its your car, your money.

 

Yeah they gave me a bogus reason why an alignment should be done. I'm going to get another price quote.
Thanks for the feedback.

 

What did you find out?

 

I agree. Do both sides and an hours labor is pretty reasonable for the work being done.
CK

 

The reason they want to replace both sides is to cover themselves for liability. If one side failed, chances are the other side is degraded too (from corrosion or whatever). Sounds like they're doing you a favor and an hour's labor charge is certainly reasonable.

 

Not really any other options out there besides lowering springs. You would need to replace all 4 springs, if you want to go lower though.

OEM springs should be fine. Make sure to replace both rear springs.
CK

 

The springs I bought are OEM specific to my car and I think they cost $65 each retail.

 

In the same boat as everyone else here. Dealership discovered it when they did the however many point inspection on the vehicle while flushing the transmission.

 

Same here too. What did you end up paying?
Dealer wanted $1850 to replace both my rear springs. Friendly mechanic said he'd do it for $550

 

I did it myself. Paid $200 CAD per spring and took an hour on jacks and 1 bolt to remove.

 

2021 Mazda3, purchased certified preowned 10/24. spring broke few months after purchase. Heard Clanking in the rear. Took it to dealer in NJ, couldnt find issue, sent it back as sound persisted. eventually found it, replaced it under warrantee. Fast forward June25. hearing the same clanking noise, took it to a different dealership, 'cant find issue' i asked them specifically was the springs checked, yes they said suspension is good. I needed pads and rotors per them, not doing that they still have life. So i am torn - because I live in NY (bad roads) this will continue to be an issue...do i trade in (decent amt) get into a suv, which will be able to handle the impact of the pot hole or fix the spring at a regular mechanic??

 

Which spring is currently broken? If it's not the one that was replaced earlier this year, I would assume you've reached the end of the service life (in your geographical area) for both these components. Assuming they both failed within months of each other, just have it replaced (it couldn't be that expensive!) and move on. An SUV suspension isn't going to be much better in this respect than what you have. If this is the worst problem you have with this car, I'd say you're not doing too badly!

 

its the left rear, the right rear was repaired.
is this a manufacturer defective?

 

I'm assuming the car is a local (northeast) one and that it has been subject to four snowy winters in areas where they use salt on the roads. It's not the first Mazda 3 to suffer corroded/broken rear springs under those conditions. But the good news is you now have two new springs and shouldn't have to worry about this again for another few years!

 

Yes car has been thru winters in NY.
Since Mazda service center assured me the spring is not broken, ill take it somewhere else to get fixed. Disappointed in mazda service… paid diagnostic fee for them to try and sell me rotors and break job. Which i dont need now, checked the mm.
I’ve changed the front left tire 2x potholes and a/c broke.Hoping thats is in terms of repairs for this car.