Mazda Premacy CW: common faults & what to check

You're looking at the CW · 2.0L petrol (LF-VE)

Everything below is narrowed to this variant. Pick a different one to change it.

2010–2018CW Selected2010–2018CW2.0L petrol (LF-VE)PetrolDocumented issues11 knownSee faults & what to checkKickTyres illustration, not a photograph.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Mazda Premacy

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Mazda Premacy before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Costly issue

  For hydraulic systems: inspect the steering rack boots for power steering fluid contamination and the reservoir for low fluid level.

  See why

  Electric Power Steering Rack Seal and Fluid Leak

  Premacy CR models fitted with hydraulic-assist power steering develop weeping and then active leaks at the inner rack seals and the high-pressure hose banjo fittings. The rack pinion seal fails due to age hardening of the rubber compounds, and the power steering fluid contaminates the subframe and surrounding chassis. CW models with electric power steering (EPS) develop a different failure: the motor control unit overheats or develops solder joint failures, triggering a loss-of-assist condition. Both variants generate a dashboard EPS or PS warning lamp.

  What you would notice

  • Power steering fluid seeping from the steering rack area, leaving oily residue on the subframe and inner guards
  • EPS or PS warning light illuminating on the instrument cluster, accompanied by heavy or intermittently absent steering assist

  Typically $800–$2,800 to put right.

• Costly issue

  With the front wheels off the ground, grasp the tyre at 6 and 12 o'clock and attempt to rock it; vertical play indicates ball joint wear.

  See why

  Front Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Wear

  The front lower control arms on the Premacy CR and CW use pressed-in ball joints that wear in the socket and boot. The rubber boot splits — accelerated by NZ road grit — allowing water and debris ingress that corrodes the ball stud. Advanced wear produces handling vagueness and a clunking noise over bumps. Worn ball joints are a direct WOF failure item. Replacement requires either pressing in a new ball joint or replacing the entire lower arm assembly; New Zealand parts supply favours arm assembly replacement.

  What you would notice

  • Clunking or knocking noise from the front suspension corners when traversing speed bumps, pot holes, or sharp directional changes
  • Vague or wandering steering feel with the vehicle tracking poorly in a straight line

  Typically $350–$750 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Check for pulling under braking.

  See why

  Brake Caliper Guide Pin Seizure

  Front brake caliper guide pins seize from corrosion causing uneven pad wear.

  What you would notice

  • Vehicle pulling to one side under braking
  • One front disc hotter than the other after moderate use

  Typically $150–$500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Rear caliper guide pins seize causing uneven brake wear and drag on one side.

  See why

  Rear Brake Caliper Guide Pin Seizure

  Rear caliper guide pins seize causing uneven brake wear and drag on one side.

  What you would notice

  • Rear caliper guide pins seize causing uneven brake wear and drag on one side.
  • Confirm with pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic
• Costly issue

  Scan for EPS fault codes.

  See why

  Electric Power Steering Column Motor Failure

  EPS column motor fails causing sudden or gradual loss of power assistance.

  What you would notice

  • Sudden loss of power steering with EPS warning light
  • Heavy steering requiring effort especially at low speeds

  Typically $500–$1,800 to put right.

• Common issue

  Operate both sliding doors fully several times — manually and with the power buttons (dash, key fob and door handle) if fitted.

  See why

  Sliding door faults — worn rollers, cables, latches and power-door failures

  Both the CR (2005-2010) and CW (2010-2018) Premacy use rear sliding doors whose rollers, guide tracks, cables and latch assemblies wear with use. Symptoms range from stiff, graunching manual operation to doors that won't latch, stick shut in cold weather, or power doors (common on JDM imports) that stop, reverse or fail mid-travel. Worn roller/cable kits and latch or door-position sensors are the usual culprits; power-door motor/cable assemblies are the expensive end. Note the fuel-filler safety interlock limits the left door opening while the flap is open — that's normal, not a fault.

  What you would notice

  • Sliding door stiff, graunchy or jumping off its track
  • Door won't latch first time or pops back open
  • Power door stops or reverses mid-travel, or the motor whirs without moving the door
  • Door stuck in cold weather but fine when warm

  Typically $250–$1,200 to put right.

Mazda Premacy service schedule

The 2 engines a 2011 Mazda Premacy was sold with, each with its own intervals. Pick your engine above to narrow this to one. These are the model’s intervals — the car’s own service book is the only thing that can tell you what has actually been done to it.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Mazda Premacy’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• Cambelt Replacement Cost
• Timing Chain Replacement Cost

Other Mazda models