Skid Plate Busted???
 

I took my Mazda 3 s into the shop today to get it checked out. Last week the airbag light came on for about an hour and then went off after I turned the car off and back on. The called me to inform me that it was a sensor and they are waiting on the part to come in. They also told me that the plastic “skid plate” under the front of my car was cracked. They said that this had to be caused by hitting or running over something. This is funny to me due to fact my car is only a little over 2 months old and I did not hit or run over anything. They told me that it would be $265 for the replacement part. I really have no idea what “skid plate” they are talking about. Has anyone had this problem or know what the hell they are talking about? I’m going in on Wed to check this out, cuz I’ll be damned if I pay for this. Please let me know!!! Thanks

I think you should fight this matter, but this is only my opinion. You have a problem with the car that they did not inform you of before you purchased it. There was a defective part, the skid plate, on the vehicle that they want you to pay for. Someone somewhere might have paperwork on a vehicle inspection before releasing it to a customer. Even the people who installed my stereo took me for a tour of my car, inside and out, and documented all the little knicks and scratches that were on my car and made me sign it before they worked on the car. Someone at the dealership is responsible, perhaps a dealer took it for a test drive when it happened. In any case, the only weapons you may have are a threat to contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or your local news agency. Also, look into your local Lemon Laws, you may be entitled to compensation, refund, or exchange for a defective vehicle.

its nothing to worry about. dont replace it at all, they are trying to rip you off.

Yep!!! I thinks it's BS!!! I'm just worried that if something goes wrong they will say it was because I didn't get it fixed and not cover it under warrenty.

that would be bullcrap also. its just a piece of plastic that really does nothing, maybe some protection in the rain that you really dont need anyway.

It cant affect your warranty at all.

Well, my dealer noticed that my skid plate was cracked, just as yours did. He told me that it was the 6th or 7th one he has seen. Oh, and IT'S COVERED UNDER WARRANTY! Tell your dealer to bite you. No questions that this is something that is covered, no questions asked. If there is a problem, call Mazda North American!

how can a plastic cover that any body could crack by hitting a curb be covered under warrenty?

I guess you'd have to ask my dealer but it is a "bumper to bumper" warranty. My guess is that they have seen enough of these to know it's either a design flaw or a quality problem.

Never hit a curb either.

yeah, maybe under the bumper to bumper part...