From the info I've read, the real culprit (as opposed to the buttons themselves) has been grease or lubricant residue from installation either at the factory or at the port of entry which has caused the buttons to soften up.

 

lol...I have the crack as well. Guess I'm special cause both by front and rear defrost buttons are cracked.

 

How the hell does a simple button just "crack"????

 

After reading this thread a few months back I checked my defrost switch (Built 11/03) and sure enough rear defrost button was cracked just like in the photos. Took it to dealer they verified and ordered. Once in I had them do the A/C TSB at the same time. After mod I noticed that when the A/C temp is in the coldest position it automatically switches from fresh air to re circulate. If you move the temp just one notch warmer it switches back to the fresh air mode. It did not do this prior to the mod. I don't know if its the new switch or the A/C TSB but it makes the max cool recommendation in the manual dummy proof...

The Tech who did the work took great care and a beautiful job. I plan on asking for him by name for future repairs and will wait for him to be available.

 

The plastic "button" you see and press on the console is actually the cover for a small plunger that actuates the circuits to turn things on/off. It's this plastic "cover" that becomes weak and cracks.

 

Wow,,,so it wasn't just me who's defrost button is cracked!!!!!
It's just that mine is the rear defrost button that's on the right side!
The dealer's going to replace it..

 

Mine was also the right-side button. I think they're supposed to replace ALL of the little buttons in the cluster, no matter which one(s) is(are) broken or cracked.

 

They replaced the entire button cluster on mine.

 

My front windsheild defroster button is cracked half way. I will be calling the dealer tommorow (Anaheim, CA).

 

okay, thought I should ring in as well. I purchased mine with crack already there. Of course the dealer replaced it.

 

Funny, mine went all winter without cracking, despite frequent use.

Last week, with temps in the 80's and the rear defrost untouched for months, the button decides to crack. Off to the dealer I guess. I know there's a TSB for it so I'm not expecting any problems. Just a little pain to deal with.

 

I also have a crack in my defrost button. My question is. Will they have to remove the entire HU to replace the button? Or do they pop off from the front side?

 

Wow I never even thought to look that closely at the buttons...I will be checking it for cracks later tonight...

 

Well, I have an appointment on Monday for my cracked defrost button. They are telling me that they will have to remove the entire switch cluster from the rear of the HU. Then send it to Mazda to get a replacement. They cannot have the new one on hand. That they have to send it in first as a core? So they will be keeping my car for a few days. They will get me a rental. I think I would rather pull the HU myself, and then take it to them. I don't want my 8 sittin' around the dealership for a few days, because of some dumbass button, come on! Plus I have my PIE adaptor, and my in dash eq hooked up. Has anyone else delt with this before? I thought the buttons would just pop off, and then pop new ones on.

 

That does seem kinda strange. I would call another dealer and ask if they are willing to order the part before you bring in your car.

 

I'd like to know how the buttons come off as well. I had the crack in the button, took it in and it was fixed. But now I have a scratch on the cd player faceplate. I mentioned it when I took it in, they looked at. On the invoice they put not authorized customer responsible. It's not a big scratch or too noticeable but it's there and they did it. Any suggestions how to go about this? I'm definitley goin to switch dealers, would another dealer fix something the first one screwed up?

 

this is weird! i bought the car used 10/31/05 it is a 04 rx8 and the main defrost button has a slit across it as well!

i figured it was from the owner before me.. but after reading this. i should definatley look into this