Mazda5 Review

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus
Yeah, all very true. I at least knew the locking clip idea was bad :) I was just surprised dh knew what one was :p

LOL! Yeah, I'd probably have the same reaction if my husband said it! And we have mucho experience with locking clips, too, but I still doubt he has any clue what it's called or what it's used for.

So do you think there's any solution? I'd love to recommend this car to people, especially my best friend with 3 kids, but 2 of her kids would have the same trouble you're having...

I'm honestly not sure. I've yet to get any answers about the acceptability of this issue - it seems to have been completely overlooked as a safety issue. I'm still in the process of making calls, though. I'll be sure to post when/if I get any answers!
 
ADS

teekadog

Active member
I'm honestly not sure. I've yet to get any answers about the acceptability of this issue - it seems to have been completely overlooked as a safety issue. I'm still in the process of making calls, though. I'll be sure to post when/if I get any answers!

Please let me know if I can help! I'm no tech, but I can be darn persuasive as a consumer :evil grin:

:cool:
 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus
I'm still waiting on a call-back (I've left two voicemails now...) :whistle: BUT I've got an EZ-On 86-Y coming in early next week that should almost certainly completely correct the problem; I'll post more on that when I get it and see how well it works, but I'm really excited about it!

In the meantime, I got some pics of my kids in the Mazda5, and thought I'd share so others can see what it looks like with actual people in it!

IMG_0845.jpg


This is what a Husky in the rear row looks like:
IMG_0843.jpg


And this is the other rear row seat with my 9yo in a Laptop:
IMG_0848.jpg
 

teekadog

Active member
Oh man, that looks great! I've been meaning to say you have a great looking family and that just proves my point. Please do keep us posted on the EZ-on 86-Y.
 

twom

New member
Just to make sure, is your 9yo under 51"? The Laptop does have a height limit as well as a weight limit. He's probably fine, as you really seem to know what you're doing, but I just wanted to be sure. :)
 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus
Oh man, that looks great! I've been meaning to say you have a great looking family and that just proves my point. Please do keep us posted on the EZ-on 86-Y.

Thanks, and I will! It just came in today & I get to play with it tomorrow!
 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus
Just to make sure, is your 9yo under 51"? The Laptop does have a height limit as well as a weight limit. He's probably fine, as you really seem to know what you're doing, but I just wanted to be sure. :)

Actually, he's just under 51". :( However, I'm really not sure how concerning that is. I think it's just on there because they're required to put a height limit on there, yk? Because what really counts with this seat is torso height, and there's nothing on there about torso height. It definitely covers a good portion of his chest, though, so I'm okay with the fit.

*Fingers crossed* he'll be moving to the 86-Y tomorrow so it won't be an issue anymore! (I'm entirely too excited about playing with this harness!!!)
 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus
Another update:

We don't actually have a long-term solution for the seat belt problem. The heavy-weight tether anchor for the 86Y cannot be installed in this vehicle, so once my third child reaches 65lbs (the guesstimated limit on the vehicle's tether anchor) I'm right back where I started.

The only real solution would be for Mazda to retrofit the rear-row seat belts. This is possible based on the vehicle's body style but unlikely that Mazda will ever do it.
:( :mad: :eek: :thumbsdown:
 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus
Yet another update:

My friend brought me a recline bar today, so we were able to test out the Husky with the recline bar and both long & short belt paths for seat belts, and SBP for LATCH (no LBP LATCH strap since the Huskies weren't included in the new advisory).

A Regent absolutely will not install with the recline bar in the rear-row seating position (no LATCH). Two techs and one mom with lots of experience installing a Husky tried for over an hour, and we could not get it tight enough. As the Regent now requires the recline bar, it would not be a solution to the seat belt problem we've been having with this vehicle. (I'm just glad we've got a Husky!)

It installs rock-solid with the recline bar and SBP LATCH in the center row, and is acceptable with the recline bar and both belt paths with seat belt in the center row - nice & tight once the tether is hooked.

ETA: I was wrong, it CAN be installed with the recline bar in the rear row! It just needed to be a bit more reclined than I typically have my carseats. It wasn't even that hard, it's just a matter of getting the angle of the carseat just right.
 
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snowbird25ca

Moderator - CPST Instructor
Has Mazda ever responded to your questions? Just curious what their response has been... and sorry the heavy duty TA can't be installed, that really sucks. :(
 

teekadog

Active member
Darn on the Regent. I need to put dd1 back there in the New Year, and am starting car seat window shopping-- I guess I'll scratch Regent off my list. Thanks for the info.
 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus
Just updating again. I wanted to post some pics that illustrate more clearly why the seat belt is a problem, and why I won't let my kids use it. If they were dummies who never moved, it wouldn't be as dangerous...

This is my 13 year old in the center row, with the "good" seat belts. He is not properly positioned, as children often are not, but at least the belt is still at his shoulder even as he moves around:

IMG_1062.jpg


IMG_1063.jpg


IMG_1064.jpg



Now here he is in the rear row, with the "bad" seat belt, in the same positions:

IMG_1066.jpg


IMG_1067.jpg


IMG_1069.jpg
 

teekadog

Active member
'nother update:

The Radian will not install FF in the rear row, either.

Seriously?!? Or are you just *trying* to make me cry? What choices does that leave me for my 5yo? The new Recaro or the Safeguard??? And don't you dare let my dd know that yet another "pink seat" will not fit...
 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus
I know - I was so disappointed. :(

My friend Gypsy is getting a Recaro, so I'll be able to test that one out, too.
 

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