Hi, I've got a 2007 Mazda 3 with under 18,000 miles on it. I have it in for the power steering recall, and the dealer is telling me a)I need drive belts and tensioner replaced and b)it's not part of the powertrain warranty. He says the drive belts are only warranted for 12 months.

Two questions:
a) is the warranty info correct? Were these covered under the "bumper to bumper" 3/36 warranty?
b) why do the belts need to be replaced on so few miles? Can I trust the dealer, who wants close to $600 for the replacements?

Thank you.

 

And the point is moot because I took the car to my trustworthy independent mechanic. The dealer said the belts were "dry rotted" (on the estimate) and added they were cracking. They are no such thing.

What's more, my mechanic tells me today's belts don't crack, they wear down, and you check them like the tread of a tire. And mine are fine. Guess how I feel about the dealer.

 

good for you - always get a second opinion if you have doubts.

the dealer I bought our 2007 mazda 3 from has gone down hill too IMO. I went there trying to buy another mazda3 and the sales person that we bought our 3 from in 07 was gone. the new guy just kept talking to me about price in payments and what I can do per month. I was practically yelling at him not to do payments but a price on the car. after the fifth time of telling him I shook his hand and walked out.

lets just say our new car is not a mazda.