Service bulletin 02-006-18-3449

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
Type	Service bulletin
NHTSA id	10134930
Published by NHTSA	2018-04-23
Manufacturer's number	02-006-18-3449
Manufacturer's date	2018-03-26
NHTSA component	SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER; SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER

NHTSA's summary

Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal.

The document

The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it. NHTSA files a document at one of these two addresses; we have not asked NHTSA which.

Components

Suspension, Shocks and struts

Vehicles listed
MAZDA 626	1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK	1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 (the catalog's model; the bulletin names a series or trim of it)
MAZDA CX-3	2016, 2017, 2018
MAZDA CX-5	2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
MAZDA CX-7	2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
MAZDA CX-9	2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
MAZDA MAZDA2	2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
MAZDA MAZDA3	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
MAZDA MAZDA5	2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
MAZDA MAZDA6	2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
MAZDA MIATA	1999 to 2005
MAZDA MILLENIA	1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
MAZDA MPV	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
MAZDA MX-5	2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
MAZDA PROTEGE	1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
MAZDA RX-8	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
MAZDA TRIBUTE	2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
MAZDA TRIBUTE	2007
MAZDA TRIBUTE	2008, 2009, 2010
MAZDA TRIBUTE HYBRID	2011 (the catalog's model; the bulletin names a series or trim of it)

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
0200416	2022-06-06. Service bulletin. SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES
02-009-17-3392	2021-03-08. Service bulletin. Some vehicles may exhibit a crack on the front shock absorber dust boot (A). This may be caused by dust boot insufficient resistance to cold. The shape and material of the dust boot has been changed to improve the resistance to cold.
02-010-16-3170	2021-01-28. Service bulletin. Some vehicles may exhibit a knocking / squeaking noise from the front shock absorber when driving on rough roads and/or when turning the steering wheel while the vehicle is stopped.
02-005-19-3503a	2019-05-30. Service bulletin. Some vehicles may experience a creaking noise from the front shock absorber when going over bumps. Upon inspection, the coil spring is found to be broken at the lower part without any trace of an accident. It may be found during maintenance or service opportunity without customer complaints. Mud and sand caught between the coil spring and the lower spring seat causes paint damage on the coil spring, resulting in rust holes and uneven force application. To correct this issue, the shape of the lower spring seat has been modified.
02-016-18-3495	2018-10-09. Service bulletin. Some vehicles may exhibit a rattle noise from the rear of the vehicle while driving. The noise may be caused by a rear shock absorber mounting bracket that is heavily corroded and broken. Due to insufficient durability of the bracket in certain environments, such as where road salt is used, corrosion and breakage can occur. To eliminate this concern, the material and the shape of the bracket (service parts) has been modified.
02-014-18-3503	2018-10-09. Service bulletin. Some vehicles may experience a creaking noise from the front shock absorber when going over bumps. Upon inspection, the coil spring is found to be broken at the lower part without any trace of an accident. It may be found during maintenance or service opportunity without customer complaints. Mud and sand caught between the coil spring and the lower spring seat causes paint damage on the coil spring, resulting in rust holes and uneven force application. To correct this issue, the shape of the lower spring seat has been modified.
02-002-18-3300d	2018-03-05. Service bulletin. Some vehicles may exhibit a knocking / squeaking noise from the front shock absorber when driving onrough roads and/or when turning the steering wheel while the vehicle is stopped.The noise may be due to: Upper front strut bearing (A) damage. (CX-5 and Mazda6) Squeak type noise between the front strut bearing and coil spring. (CX-3, CX-5 and Mazda6) The bump stopper (C) may be contacting the strut bearing when the front shock absorber is compressed, causing a popping noise. (Mazda6 only) The front lower arm bushing (D) is making a creak type noise in wet road conditions. (CX-5 and Mazda6).Front Shock Absorber Front Lower Arm To eliminate the noise, the following mass-production changes have been made: 1. The material and production method of the front strut bearing (A) has been changed. (CX-5 and Mazda6) 2. A protector has been installed onto the coil spring. (CX-5 and Mazda6) 3. The shape of the bump stopper (C) will be modified in the future. (Mazda6 only) 4. The shape of the coil spring has been changed. (CX-3 only) 5. Friction of the lower arm bushing has been reduced by adding a dry coating. (CX-5 and Mazda6). NOTE: The piston rod nut (B) requires replacement.
02-008-17-3354b	2017-10-21. Service bulletin. Some vehicles may experience a knocking noise from the front and/or rear shock absorbers when driving over rough roads or speed bumps. The noise may be caused by damage to the inner seal of shock absorber, resulting in fluid seepage. To eliminate this concern, modified parts with improved oil sealing performance have been established as service parts.
02-008-17-3354a	2017-10-21. Service bulletin. Some vehicles may experience a knocking noise from the front shock absorbers when driving over rough roads or speed bumps. The noise may be caused by damage to the inner seal of front shock absorber, resulting in fluid seepage. To eliminate this concern, modified parts with improved oil sealing performance have been established as service parts.
02-008-17-3354	2017-10-21. Service bulletin. Some vehicles may experience a knocking noise from the front shock absorbers when driving over rough roads or speed bumps. The noise may be caused by damage to the inner seal of front shock absorber, resulting in fluid seepage. To eliminate this concern, modified parts with improved oil sealing performance have been established as service parts.