No, it's not that bad... just annoying. The little chrome Mazda badge on the trunk like looks like crap. After 1 winter the chrome is starting to chip off and there are little rust spots all over it. I anticipate that after another winter it will look like a utter trash.

So what do you guys think the chances are of me getting a new one for free under warrantee? I'm sure another one will just fall apart like the last but at least I can have that one painted or something.

I'd just debadge the trunk but then I would have to have the whole thing painted which I don't want to do.

Anyone else notice the same thing??

 

This happened to my old '96 Civic. After one winter the 'EX' badge on the back got all tarnished-looking (the other badges were OK). Honda gave me a new badge no problem but I never did get around to putting it on--decided I liked it better without. I'd say that Mazda should certainly replace your badge under warranty--it's obviously defective if the chrome finish is only lasting one winter.

 

i was told the emblems are made of plastic... not chrome. this is'nt true?

 

I think the emblems are plastic with a coat of chrome paint on them.

As for rust, my antenna is rusted right underneath the black endcap after one winter. I will get that fixed. And be a happy person.

 

I would get another one from the warranty like bmorton said because that should not be happening. That is ridiculous....

 

The rear center emblem is definitely plastic with a chrome finish. I know this because I just replaced one today after the kids in my neighborhood took a sudden liking to that emblem.

Maybe once these kids realize those are plastic they won't bother coming around for seconds.

Cost is pretty cheap as well...cost me $8 Canadian so that means about $4-5 U.S.

 

I just had my dealership order in a new CENTER BADGE and RIGHT BADGE for the back of my 2002 ES GT Protege because both are discolored ( almost rust looking... ) They say that they have had to replace a few already for customers. They are going to throw it on for free.

 

My emblems look like crap too. I was told that there's some "Turtle Wax Chrome polish" that should help, but I think I'm gonna call the dealer first and see if they'll help me out at all. Thanks for the heads up on this all.

 

Are you guys waxing your cars? Not trying to be an ***. but if you wax it regularly you shouldn,t be seeing rust of anything like that

 

Yeah I wax all the time. My car is less than 1 year old and I got that crap going on with my emblems. Dealer said they would look at it and replace them under warranty if it was due to materials being bad.

Edit: And I'm not seeing rust...just pits in the emblems.

 

Ive noticed that all cars that have this problem are 2001, and 2002 cars? Maybe its a quality issue, or bad batch of emplems

I think the painted chrome peice on the rearunklid of the 2002's
look dorky, makes the car look more luxerious and not sporty