Okay so a couple months ago I discovered a very shallow, dent on the edge of my trunk lid right above the tail light. It left no paint damage but its about the size of a nickel and on black paint stands out like a sore thumb. So today I wake up and find another one about 6-8 inches away from the other one, looks almost exactly the same. I don't understand it, has anyone else had any kind of problems like this? I park under a tree and there are a lot of cats around the neighborhood that sit on top of the cars, but I always cover my car with a cover, probably the reason there is no paint damage yet. Anyone have any ideas how much this is gonna run me for a dent wizard? Anyone have any weird dents like this?

Andrew

 

Somebody in your hood probably doesn't like you or your car and are pitching a golf ball or apple at your car when its covered. Video tape the car over a few nights with a web cam and see if you know who did it. If you spend money to fix it now, you'll be paying again to fix it later as well. Solve the mystery first if you want to save some money and have piece of mind.

 

Maybe something keeps falling from the tree like acorns? What color is the inside of your car cover?

 

The inside of the cover is kind of a cream or tan color. I was thinking it could be vandalism but these dents are both right along the edge of the trunk lid, and the rest of the car is still perfect. Do these dent wizards charge per dent or per panel?

 

There are acorns in the trees but they are small and low hanging so I didn't think that they could make a dent.

 

I actually have a similar dent to what you describe. But mine is on the drivers side rear door right below the window on the body line which just sucks. No paint damage and its the size of either a nickle or dime. I have another 1 too maybe a couple inches below a little smaller but also with no paint damage. My sister's mazda 3 she has a similar dent too. Maybe its just a coincidence who knows? But I too would like to figure out what caused these dents.

 

there is a TSB about contact between the trunk lid and the tail lights.

 

are you sure it's not your hand? While I haven't dented my 8's lid (it has the factory spoiler on it), I did dent the tailgate on my wife's Honda Odyssey the first week we had the car, by shutting it with my hand on the lid rather than the handle.
There's a handle inside the trunk for closing it ...

 

if this helps any, on my KIA.... YES KIA.... my trunk lid is doing the same exact thing. i think it is due to my hand. when i close the trunk over and over, i notice more and more dents...... seems like weak trunk.....

 

You know now that you mention it, my girlfriend did operate the trunk rather aggressively the night before I noticed the ding. As for the first one, I remember shortly after getting the car I did close the trunk fairly hard being that I was used to my old car with a very stiff trunk. The dents are located EXACTLY where one would put their hands to close the lid. Is the body really this weak that your fingertips could dent it? Is that normal?

 

unfortunately, it is ... the metal on all these cars is very light. You can easily put a small dent in the car with your knuckle

I am deathly fearful of denting my car's hood whenever I wash or wax it ... that aluminum hood seems ultralight ...

 

It's pretty common to have slight dents from your hands if you slam a trunk shut aggressively. I did that to my Integra before.

 

Well now I feel like an ***. I'm slightly relieved that it's not vandals, but it doesn't help my ego knowing I damaged my own car.

 

why are you shutting the trunk with your hand on the lid? use the little cup handle on the inside and pull down moving your hand out of the way. works every time for me.

 

This is another one for the owner's manual. It tells you to use the handle inside of the trunk lid. The way that the struts lever the lid open you need to have the lid almost closed before applying any downward force. (and then only very light force is required)

There were also reports on this forum from people who bent their lids because they tried to swing them shut quickly. The struts resisted the fast movement.

 

I know it's a new car and all but damn that's sad - it just shouldn't be that flimsy. Before anyone says "the reason the car is so light and responsive..." Great. Neat. I'll take the extra 50 pounds if it means I can shut the trunk and wash the car without worrying that I might wrinkle it. The engineers surely know that we'll shut our trunks - and not always the way the manual tells us to (sometimes I don't actually keep my hands at 9 and 3 on the wheel either). It's funny that the motor and drivetrain can take amazing levels of abuse but the body is so damn delicate.

Call the Mazda Dealer, ask for the name and direct/cell number of their dent guy (probably a Dent Wizard) and call him directly. He'll do it as "side work". It should cost you around $50-75.

 

Dude, i have the exact same dent on my trunk lid. I noticed it about 3 or 4 weeks afteri got my 8. Its right above the tail light and on the edge of the trunk lid. Its about the size of a nickel as you said. I still to this day do not know how the hell it happend. I guess its as everyone says..being too aggressive while closing the trunk lid. but damn thats pretty pathetic. ohh well i can live with it, plus im gonna get the mazda speed wing..which should cover it up nicely!