Service bulletin 02-015-18-3499

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	10145246
Published by NHTSA	2018-10-09
Manufacturer's number	02-015-18-3499
Manufacturer's date	2018-09-27
NHTSA component	SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS; STRUCTURE

NHTSA's summary

Some vehicles may exhibit a knocking noise from the rear coil spring and/or the vehicle body sits lower in the rear. These symptoms may be caused by a broken rear coil spring at its lower side. This is caused by corrosion from dust between the rear coil spring and the spring sheet, resulting in a broken rear coil spring. To eliminate this concern, the shape of the rear coil spring has been modified.

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

Body and frame, Suspension

Vehicles listed
MAZDA CX-5	2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
MAZDA MAZDA3	2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

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

Recalls for the same vehicles and component
2016431	2016-09-06. Structure
16V644000	2016-09-06. STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
2016152	2016-04-08. Suspension

A recall listed here may apply to some of the same vehicles. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
PF-26-02	2026-08-04. Other. Supersession between B60S-34-300G/350G and B60S-34- 300H/350H. Please be advised that the G-level and H-level control arms are not interchangeable. The G-level part cannot be used to repair a vehicle built with the H-level. The H-level part can be used to repair a vehicle built with the G-level, but the ball joint retainer (d- Code 34-552) has been eliminated.
SA-031-26	2026-05-05. Service bulletin. DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label. To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left area of the windshield), contact DAG (Dealer Assistance Group) using VIN Plate Request Form available on One Mazda. To obtain a replacement vehicle certification label (located on the B􀀀pillar or front door), contact your assigned DSM (District Service Manager) to place the order. If DSM contact information is not available, refer to the Dealer & Field Contact Directory.
SA-021-26	2026-05-05. Service bulletin. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs and bulletin(s) listed below: The changes are noted below in red. SA-010/23 02/09/23 DESCRIPTION Some customers may experience one or more electrical malfunctions after a vehicle body repair. A newly painted fender stay (2) may be causing a poor front harness (1) ground connection. The front fender stay (2) newly painted surface at ground point (3), where attachment bolt (4) is seated, may create a poor front harness ground connection. NOTE: DO NOT paint ground point (3) attachment bolt (4) is seated. NEWLY INSTALLED FRONT FENDER STAY NOTE: CAUTION: If the bolt (4) contact area (3) is painted when the front fender stay (2) is newly replaced, it could cause a malfunction in the PCM. Before painting a newly replaced part, protect the bolt (4) contact area (3) with masking tape (5) as shown in the figure.
SA-051-25	2025-12-05. Service bulletin. Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) Diagnostic Guidelines Diagnostic Guidelines When diagnosing NVH concerns, it is essential to first classify the issue into one of three primary categories: Noise, Vibration, or Harshness. Many customer complaints may involve overlapping symptoms, such as both noise and vibration, so identifying the dominant characteristic is critical. Once the primary symptom is determined, follow the appropriate diagnostic path. For example, if a concern includes both noise and vibration but is related to vehicle speed, the vibration diagnostic path should be followed. When considering component replacement during the diagnostic process, it is best practice to start with the lowest cost or most accessible part unless diagnostic evidence clearly identifies a more expensive or complex component as the root cause. This approach helps minimize repair costs and avoids unnecessary part replacements. For example, a growling or bearing whine noise may be mistakenly attributed to internal components in the differential, transfer unit, or transmission, when the actual source is a wheel bearing. Misdiagnosis like this can lead to unnecessary repairs, added time and cost. To help prevent this, always follow the guidelines in the repair procedure.
SA-039/25	2025-09-05. Service bulletin. Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection. If a structure's windows create enough of a curve, the concave glass can focus the sun's rays onto a small area and acting like magnifiying glass direct the sunbeams into a hot pinpoint of light. This magnifcation of the sun's rays can cause damage to vehicle trim (see examples). Additional information and exemplar images regarding this phenomenon can be found by performing a google search.
09-013-25	2025-04-01. Service bulletin. Some CX-5 and CX-30 customers may find that the liftgate does not close when pressing the power liftgate (PLG) rear switch (A) located on the interior liftgate trim. This may be caused by PLG switch corrosion. Water from a high pressure car washer and/or condensation may drip onto the switch connector and cause corrosion. To eliminate this concern, the PLG rear switch has been modified with a waterproof connector.
SA-058-24	2024-09-04. Service bulletin. Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
SA-056-24	2024-09-04. Service bulletin. Interior parts made of resin have antistatic coating to prevent dust from sticking on the surfaces, and depending on the conditions of use, the antistatic components may crystallize slightly, giving an appearance of white stains on the surface. To remove the stains, wipe the stained surface with a towel soaked with water mixed with a small portion of a neutral detergent. If the white stains reappear again, simply wipe them again in the same way.
SA-050-24	2024-09-04. Service bulletin. Some customers may complain that their liftgate does not open. This can mean a range of things, from the liftgate not unlatching to the power liftgate (PLG) not opening automatically. If you confirm that the customer's concern is that the liftgate does not unlatch correctly, follow the repair information below.
09-006-24	2024-03-06. Service bulletin. Some vehicles may exhibit a creaking or clacking noise when operating the power lift gate (PLG). The noise may be caused by the following: Creaking noise: Dust and dirt accumulates on the sealing portion of the PLG drive unit, reducing sealing performance. Snow and water may enter the PLG drive unit. Humidity then causes rust inside of the unit, resulting in noise. Clacking noise: Since the grease applied on the spring end of the PLG drive unit is insufficient, interference noise is caused when the spring end interferes with the spring guide. The noise has been eliminated by the following mass-production changes: Creaking noise: The sealing structure has been modified to prevent dust/dirt from entering the unit. Clacking noise: The production procedure of the PLG drive unit has been modified to apply sufficient grease to spring end.