Mazda 3

"AC quit working in midsummer."

"A/C would work intermittently and blow hot air or not work at all. First repair shop said compressor was past life expectancy and needed replacement. Worked fine until end of summer. At the start of next summer, the issue began again and the first repair shop said the issue was a freon leak requiring removing the dashboard for a few thousand dollars in labor. The vehicle was taken to a 2nd repair shop and car was diagnosed as a leak in the 12" high pressure hose directly off the compressor which was only a few hundred dollars. Since then, there has been some intermittent issues of system shutting off, but the problem can never be solved at shop. The problem finally seemed to be solved when the car was taken in for other services and discovered a cracked spark plug which was causing the car to misfire. Mechanic wasn't sure how this was effecting the A/C."

"Complete failure of compressor, condenser and related hoses"

"Works so intermittently I have almost given up on the key fob which eats batteries"

""Car stopped starting on occasion and then more frequently until it would not start at all. Took it to the dealer to diagnose. Turned out to be the control module similar to a motherboard in a computer which certain circuits pass through. It seemed to have some connections that rusted or corroded causing the short. The part was no longer available new from Mazda so the dealer had to source a re-manufactured one. It took about a week to get the part and install it. Cost around $1,000.""

""These lights of various colours go on & off all the time, such that you come to ignore them - as do the mechanics you take the car to""

"Several months ago the car developed a clunking noise when the front wheels went over road irregularities. Struts were replaced solving the problem."

"I consider this normal wear and tear for the mileage."

"car needs struts; first time since owning in 2008"