Expert: William Forster - 2/26/2009

Question
My 2003 Mazda 6 has rust perforation around one wheelwell. Mazda dealer acknowledged that the damage was covered under anti-corrosion warranty, but will only pay to patch the damage, rather than cut out affected part (and immediate surrounding metal) and replace. Each body shop I have been to, including the one dealer uses, have stated that there is no guarantee that the rust will not reappear fairly quickly by patching and will offer no guarantee on their work. They all concur that the proper way to handle the job is to replace the parts. Mazda is taking the cheap way out, and the vehicle will be past the warranty period and so whatever repair is made will be the final repair under the warranty. Mazda corporate has been no help. Is my only option to sue?

Answer
Dan, Good luck trying to sue Mazda- you can't sue the body shops, they only do what Mazda will pay them to do- they can't put on a new quarter (a 2,000.00 job) for the 300.00 Mazda is going to pay to fix the rust. I don't guarantee rust around the block, either- nobody follows up with proper undercoating, and body shops seldom have proper undercoating facilities for rust. Besides, if it wasn't undercoated with paraffin based undercoat when it was fairly new- rust has already set in, and it's too late by that time. Your car is BARELY within the warranty period- everyone wants a new 6 year factory warranty when they have a warranty repair- it doesn't work like that. Especially with rust. This is a fact of life- cars wear out, and cars eventually rust. Especially Japanese cars. I suggest having it repaired, and getting rid of it in favor of a good American car. American cars, especially GM, have excellent bodies. Bill