Faulty Seatbelt - Protected by Australian Consumer Law?

tomlikesbeetroot on 14/02/2023 - 21:26
Last edited 15/02/2023 - 09:40 by 1 other user

I have a 2016 Mazda CX-3 with 100,000km on it and recently one of the rear seatbelts has stopped retracting.

The dealer service department has advised they cannot repair and must replace at a cost of $751 which seems very high, I tried to negotiate but they won't budge (won't even offer to reduce the labour portion).

Now I don't have any children, so the rear seatbelts are actually very rarely used. Is this something that should be covered under ACL and worth my time trying to fight it? Google brings up quite a few forum examples so I'm certainly not the only owner of a CX-3 with the same fault.

Automotive Car Mazda

Comments

  • sumyungguy on 14/02/2023 - 21:35
    +4

    On what basis will you substantiate an out-of-warranty claim? I'm sure you'll be able to source one from a wrecker, lots of this model around with other than frontal collision damage

    • bbinc on 15/02/2023 - 08:14

      ACL

    • tomlikesbeetroot on 15/02/2023 - 10:51
      +1

      Products must be of acceptable quality, that is:
      safe, lasting, with no faults
      look acceptable
      do all the things someone would normally expect them to do.

      My thoughts are that the product is not safe, lasting, with no faults.

  • vodamerc on 14/02/2023 - 21:52
    +2

    Google brings up quite a few forum examples so I'm certainly not the only owner of a CX-3 with the same fault.

    If it truely is a widespread issue then there is the possibility of there being a recall one day.

    Is it worth trying to fight it now? No

    Buy a seatbelt from a wrecker and fit it yourself.

    • AustriaBargain on 14/02/2023 - 22:15
      +5

      Now, should Mazda initiate a recall? Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure on the seatbelt mechanism, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, they don't do one.

      • Tricon on 15/02/2023 - 23:13

        After the Ford Pinto I'd hope car manufacturers don't do this anymore.

  • Switchblade88 on 14/02/2023 - 21:58
    +6

    I wouldn't 'repair' a seatbelt as a business - way too much risk of lawsuit. But they're also charging you stealership prices here for a new one. I'd personally get a spare from a wreckers (if I couldn't clean & fix the original).

    Having said that, I also expect a seatbelt to last the lifetime of the vehicle, which is well more than 7 years, so you do have some grounds for an ACL case if you want to push it.

  • oscargamer on 14/02/2023 - 22:00
    +4

    Get one from a smashed donor car

    ACL has nothing to do with your issue

    • tomlikesbeetroot on 14/02/2023 - 22:30
      +4

      Wow you are a great human, why don't you F off unless you can add something useful without insulting a stranger online.
      Hope you feel like a tough guy now.

  • aoeueoa on 14/02/2023 - 22:37
    -1

    On principle you probably have a case for ACL, but not enough that its so black and white that they will oblige. In such case I'd just go private mechanic (much cheaper) and save your energy for a different battle. Use the time and mental stress you saved to spend with friends and family. YOLO.

    • tomlikesbeetroot on 15/02/2023 - 10:41
      +2

      I have seen posts on other forums where people have followed up with ACCC on this issue and got support so at least I'm not crazy to think as much.
      Many other posts on multiple forums where mazda have replaced this for free, even out of warranty due to being such a common fault.

      • aoeueoa on 15/02/2023 - 23:30

        In your case the ACCC actually don't have any powers to direct the manufacturer to do anything. Their website explicitly states they don't get involved with individual complaints like yours. Maybe it's better to go to the source then to find your info from forums.

        What the ACCC can't do

        We don’t resolve individual complaints.
        We don't provide legal advice on your rights and obligations under the law.
        We don’t make formal decisions on whether a person or business has breached the law as only the courts can do this.

  • altomic on 14/02/2023 - 22:56

    as cheap as $60 delivered on eBay.

    don't waste your time "fighting" this.

    • tomlikesbeetroot on 15/02/2023 - 10:48

      The genuine OEM part is available elsewhere for $100.
      $751 installed I think is a bit unrealistic.

  • pegaxs on 14/02/2023 - 23:20
    +5

    7 years old and 100,000km… yeah, ring a wrecker, get the part for under $100 and either fit it yourself if you are mechanically inclined, or get an independent workshop to fit it for you.

    • bbinc on 15/02/2023 - 08:27

      Sadly that’s the least stressful option. Initially I thought this is a safety issue they should but so are tyres, brakes, etc etc. Moving parts wear out eventually.

  • Euphemistic on 15/02/2023 - 08:29
    +2

    Sounds like a decent argument for having kids. Make sure you use the seatbelts more regularly so the don’t gum up so much. It’s probably a case of the grease in it drying out.

  • Baysew on 15/02/2023 - 09:42

    What is the breakdown of the quote for labour and parts?

    • tomlikesbeetroot on 15/02/2023 - 11:01
      +2

      Good point - they didn't actually provide one. Thought I can find the OEM part available online for $100, so they are certainly adding in quite a markup somewhere.

  • Seraphin7 on 15/02/2023 - 10:22
    +1

    Faulty Seatbelt - Protected by Australian Consumer Law?

    Yes, it would be.

    I have a 2016 Mazda CX-3 with 100,000km on it and recently one of the rear seatbelts has stopped retracting.

    Bahaha … you're cracking jokes.

  • bomberswarm2 on 15/02/2023 - 13:32

    Now I don't have any children, so the rear seatbelts are actually very rarely used

    So you've got plenty of time to actually fix it. Lodge a complaint, maybe you'll win.

  • Rako on 15/02/2023 - 13:43

    I have a 2013 Mazda CX9 rear passenger side seat belt failed I bought one for $165 from a reputable parts dealer who sourced it from a wrecking yard Mazda installed it for $176 total $341 which was a lot cheaper than what Mazda would have charged plus I would have had to wait for the part to come from Japan & in the meantime the car wouldn't pass rego with the faulty seat belt.
    For those that are not aware if your car is parked on a steep downhill slope you may find the seatbelt locked & you can't pull it out, move to a flat or uphill slope, problem solved.
    Let me know if you need the name of the parts dealer.

    • treekangagaroo on 10/05/2023 - 15:46

      Yes can you please message me. Thanks !

  • tomlikesbeetroot on 16/02/2023 - 13:41
    +3

    So I randomly got a call from the dealer, they took it upon themselves to raise with mazda head office who approved replacement free of charge.

    Thread closed I guess.

    • sumyungguy on 16/02/2023 - 13:43
      +1

      Congrats, great outcome

  • Jasonofoz on 18/02/2023 - 21:23

    I have a Cx5 with the the same known issue. 2018 model which meant it was out of warranty. plus we bought it second hand from a Toyota dealer, where we did have warranty but they were definitely going to charge us for the replacement.

    We emailed Mazda, with no response. Called them and they suggested we call the nearest Mazda service centre.

    They charged us for the initial investigation but managed to get the manufacturer to cover the cost of a new part plus labour, no questions asked.

    Good luck.

    • Evette on 01/05/2024 - 17:04
      -1

      Which Mazda service centre did you visit by the way?
      How much was the initial investigation?

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