# Service bulletin RF\-18\-02R3

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.

- Type: Service bulletin
- NHTSA id: 10168119
- Published by NHTSA: 2019\-11\-21
- Manufacturer's number: RF\-18\-02R3
- Manufacturer's date: 2019\-11\-14
- NHTSA component: WHEELS; EQUIPMENT

## NHTSA's summary

On May 1, 2018, Japan produced vehicles starting using 17 mm hex lug nuts instead of 21 mm on the same size thread. When installing new lug nuts or the accessory Wheel Lock Set, make sure to use the appropriate part number for the vehicle you are working on. NOTE: The Mazda3 produced in Mexico is not affected. Use the GEPC or the Mazda Accessory web site \[MXConnect \(dealers.mazdausa.com\)\] to look up the correct part number for the vehicle you are working on.

## The document

- [NHTSA's copy of the document (PDF)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10168119-0001.pdf)
- [If that address does not open, try this one](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10168119-9999.pdf)

The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it.

## Components

Equipment and accessories, Wheels

## Vehicles listed

- 2019 MAZDA CX\-3
- 2018 to 2019 MAZDA CX\-5
- 2018 to 2019 MAZDA CX\-9
- 2018 MAZDA MAZDA3
- 2018 to 2019 MAZDA MAZDA6
- 2018 to 2019 MAZDA MX\-5

## Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component

- [SA\-051\-25](/bulletins/11026350.md), 2025-12-05, Service bulletin: STEERING; SUSPENSION; POWER TRAIN; WHEELS. 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\-020\-25a](/bulletins/11026347.md), 2025-12-05, Service bulletin: WHEELS. There have been warranty claims submitted for growling or bearing whine noise in differentials, transfer units and transmissions where the source of the noise was a wheel bearing. This misdiagnosis can lead to multiple repair attempts, warranty debits, and additional inconvenience and/or cost to the customer. To reduce the chance of this occurring, please follow the steps outlined in the repair procedure.
- [SA\-022\-24a](/bulletins/11003397.md), 2024-07-05, Other: WHEELS. Some automotive cleaning products contain strong acid or alkali. When these types of cleaners are used to clean the wheels on Mazda vehicles, the chemicals contents penetrate the clear coating of the wheel surface and damage the paint under the clear coating. The damaged area has the appearance of dark stains or discoloration.
- [SA\-022\-24](/bulletins/10254191.md), 2024-05-04, Service bulletin: WHEELS. Some automotive cleaning products contain strong acid or alkali. When these types of cleaners are used to clean the wheels on Mazda vehicles, the chemicals contents penetrate the clear coating of the wheel surface and damage the paint under the clear coating. The damaged area has the appearance of dark stains or discoloration.
- [SA\-027\-24](/bulletins/10254187.md), 2024-05-04, Service bulletin: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Some customers may complain about infotainment center display. Peeling, spider cracks and white dots.
- [SA\-011\-24](/bulletins/10251387.md), 2024-03-06, Service bulletin: STEERING; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; WHEELS; TIRES; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN. Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle\-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
- [SA\-008\-24](/bulletins/10251368.md), 2024-03-06, Service bulletin: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. Use the symptom troubleshooting tables below to diagnose MAZDA CONNECT concerns.
- [09\-003\-23b](/bulletins/10248385.md), 2024-01-06, Service bulletin: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT. Some customers may complain about infotainment center display: Center display touchscreen operates by itself \(Ghost Touch\). The film of the center display may be peeled off. White dots may appear on the center display NOTE: The occurrence of the symptoms depends on the vehicle model and the parts.
- [01\-007\-23a](/bulletins/10246121.md), 2023-12-05, Service bulletin: EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. The Mazda DCA\-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda DCA\-8000 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use the following test procedures in this Service Bulletin to test Mazda vehicle batteries and to generate a Warranty Code.
- [SA\-032\-23a](/bulletins/10244679.md), 2023-11-02, Service bulletin: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. If you encounter any type of electrical concern \(e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC\(s\) stored...\), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. Aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical concern. Below are a few examples of unusual electrical concerns caused by aftermarket devices.

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