On August 13, 2021, Mazda Philippines released a service campaign (or recall) for the first-generation Mazda3’s steering wheel brand emblem. That’s right, you can replace your Mazda3 BK’s steering wheel-mounted emblem at Mazda for free at your nearest Mazda dealership.
The first-generation Mazda3, model code "BK"
So why the recall for this minuscule part? Well according to Mazda, the said emblems might deteriorate and become brittle over time. They won’t just compromise the look of the interior of the car, but their pieces can also become projectiles if ever the driver-side airbag deploys.
Affected units include the BK-series Mazda3 units that were sold from 2004 to 2008. These were distributed by the previous Mazda distributor for the Philippine market.
As scary as that sounds, you’ll be glad to know that no serious injuries have been reported due to the said issue. Then again, Mazda is being proactive and it wants to reduce the chances of this happening.
Of note, the procedure in replacing the erring steering wheel brand emblems will only take 45 minutes on average. And again, it’s free of charge. So yes, that’s a small amount of time and inconvenience on the car owner’s part considering that you might be driving around with something that might ruin your day and your face.
A look into the Mazda3 BK's interior particularly its steering wheel and steering wheel emblem
With regards to this, Mazda Philippines President and CEO Steven Tan said that “Mazda is committed to ensuring the safety of Mazda owners by providing proactive service and safety campaigns. As soon as we received confirmation of the issue with the Mazda3 units sold by Mazda Japan, we set in motion the Special Service Campaign process in cooperation with our dealerships. We believe the safety of Mazda owners is paramount and is essential as we ensure the proper and continued operation and service of their vehicles during these trying times.”
On top of the service campaign for the Mazda3 BK’s steering wheel emblem, Mazda Philippines is also offering 50 percent discounts for the said model’s parts.
For more car news, the latest car reviews, as well as car maintenance and safety tips, keep it here on Philkotse.com.
Know more about Mazda 3 2024
The 2023 Mazda3 is a compact sedan sold in the Philippines. Locally, the sedan version of this model has two variants: the Mazda3 Sport 2.0 AT, and the Mazda3 M Hybrid 2.0 AT. Mazda 3 price Philippines starts at ₱1,495,000 for the entry-level Mazda3 Sport 2.0 AT, while the top-of-the-line Mazda3 M Hybrid 2.0 AT is priced at ₱1,695,000.
For engines, the Mazda3 has two engine options. The Sport trim uses a 2.0-liter inline-4 gasoline engine, while the M Hybrid uses a 2.0-liter inline-4 gasoline that works in conjunction with an integrated electric starter motor. At maximum, the non-hybrid engine can make 152 horsepower and 200 Nm of torque. The one with the hybrid powertrain in turn, can produce 162 horsepower and 200 Nm of torque. Both versions are front-wheel-drive, and both use a six-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters.
Size-wise, the Philippine-spec Mazda3 is 4,660mm long, 1,795mm wide, and 1,445mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,725mm.
Locally, the Mazda3 2023 competes against the likes of the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla Altis, Kia Forte, among others.
₱ 1,495,000 - ₱ 1,695,000
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