I have experienced three common problems with my center console area: (1) The ashtray door spring broke loose from the plastic; (2) the catch on the front compartment broke, so it wouldn't lock in the backward position; and (3) the cover on the rear cupholder came out of its track and had a broken part.

I've now had all three problems fixed under warranty, no problem. Based on other posts, these are common problems and I suspect they originated in faulty CAD work; underbuilt parts, etc. My question is, are the replacement parts built properly, i.e., reengineered, or will they break again eventually?

 

I've never had a problem with my console...that said I can see that it is more fragile than it should be. I don't let my kids touch it.

 

Mine has not had any problems either, and has been removed once to gain access to remove the shifter when I did my flywheel. I wonder if it is just random?

 

I think the parts are delicate. If you seldom use them, they may last a long time. If you use them frequently, they are prone to breaking. That's my theory, anyway. I'm just wondering if Mazda has addressed this weak area, is all.

 

I agree they seem very delicate to me as well. I usually rest my arm on the cup holder/center console cover while driving and I find when I go to open it, it sticks because its gotten slightly off track. Right now it pops back into place but I feel its only a matter of time before it breaks on me. Hopefully Mazda will recreate a better, stronger cover.

I do know that there is an aftermarket leather one, but I'm not sure if its any stronger than the stock cover.

 

I agree entirely. I don't have any kids and baby my interior, but I have broken the center arm console track, glove box, and ashtray door. I didn't know that you can have these fixed under waranty. I'll make sure to address it on my next oil change! Thanks for the tip guys.

 

Yup; all under warranty; no trouble at all, except waiting for the parts to arrive.

By the way , I think in the process they gave me a new rear compartment and rear cupholder (where the DVD drive is on models with factory nav): My rear cupholder cover had a big scratch in it and the rear compartment was a little dirty inside, from the kids. Now they're like new.

 

mine was broke and fixed under warranty also

now I dont lean on it

 

My kids must have opened and closed the rear cupholder door 200 times. I kept telling them not to, but you know how it is. They're like those robotic durability testers in factories ...

 

I haven't had any problems with mine (yet), but I'm in complete agreement that they are pretty darn flimsy. Rather out of character with the build quality of the rest of the car, IMO.

Bill

 

This has been my main complaint - cheap interior parts aren't in keeping with the engineering/design.
My dog stepped on the rear cupholder door and now it won't close right. He usually sits on the console and slides his little paws up until they are on either side of the shifter. He's obviously jealous that I get to drive and he just has to watch. (He doesn't care to drive our other car - its a Ford Escape)

 

I think the interior is generally very nice. It's just the center console (and climate control buttons) that are a bit flimsy. (I wonder if the 05 parts have been reinforced.)

Compared to the G35 Coupe or WRX or Evo or STi, I'll take our interior any day.

 

Don't put your retarded dog in the car, it's a sports car, who needs hair and crap in there. Btw I put my elbow on the cupholder too, it does slide sometimes, but it doesnt break.

 

1. My dog is not retarded. He knows how to shift.
2. My dog doesn't shed.
3. My dog doesn't crap in my car. (OK, he threw up once, but that's because of the way I was driving)

 

I do the same and have the same problems.

 

My kids have screwed up the rear cupholder a few times by leaning on it, especially when it's already open (Grrr...), but I've always been able to pop it back in place and it works like new

 

Mine, too, until eventually it broke. (At the dealership they confirmed that there was a broken part inside.)

 

I need to take mine in to get fixed.