a couple days ago i wanted to open the hatch to put something in the car, and the key just twisted and snapped in half! i'm thankful the key didn't get stuck in the lock cylinder, but i don't have a spare

i brought it to a local locksmith and he said he could try to copy the key with what i had, he put them back together and made a copy, the new key doesn't work, even if i wiggle it, and it also seems to be twisting!

i took a look at my friends key for his FD, and it also seems to be very fragile in the same area, his has slight "cuts" on the very edge of the key

is this a common problem for FD's? my next step is to go to the dealership with a copy of the registration and insurance to get an OEM key cut from the code that they have in the computer

 

Never broken one.
FWIW that's not an OEM key.

 

Never had a problem with either of my two FDs ... OEM key (previous owner only had one) or the copies that I made.

 

From what the dealer told me yes its a common problem because the keys are long and they have deep groves in it which create weak points and over time they brake my broke when I tried to open the trunk

 

I never broke my key but I twisted it in the lock one day, caught it before I broke it luckily. But it was a non-OEM copied key a previous owner had given me with the car so there could be something to that.

 

Ive had my car for 14 yrs, put 100k miles on it, and my key is fine

 

Needs more lube!

 

that looks like a copied key both my keys are copied but one of them seems alot sturdier then the other .

 

No, not OEM keys.
You might try asking the locksmith if he could do better if you pulled a lock cylinder and brought it in to the store. If so, get two or three GOOD examples. After that, the more copies of other copies you make, the less exact/precise they'll be.

 

I have all 3 original keys to my FD. I heard horror stories of the keys breaking very easily in the outside door locks, trucks, ignition, etc.

I broke one of my keys in my pocket! They are pretty weak.

 

i know it's not an OEM key, my next step is to get an OEM key cut from the dealer with the VIN

 

Yea! I got four keys from previous owner and three of the four had small fractures, yes these were factory keys!

 

yup...broke my key off twice...both OEM keys...such a pain in the ***

 

Depending on the "code" for the key, the cuts closer to the fob end can get really thin. That is most likely why yours broke, the cuts at the end are very thin. My key has minimal depth cuts at the fob end and is original.

Very common for many vehicles with deep cuts to break.

You can replace or re-code all the cylinders to have a different series of cuts, but that will cost a bit and you won't have the security of Mazda having the code for you.

For this series of keys there are 11 cuts at up to 7 different depths if I remember correctly.

 

I've bent my non-OEM key on the driver's side door lock. It was a precursor to failure of the locking mechanism. If the lock is getting harder to open with the key over time, start looking a lubing the mechanisms.

 

a few friends of mine have cracks in their keys before. they replace them before they break tho.

 

i had a key break (it was a home depot cut key) but my oem key cracked in the same spot (way my key is cut, at the very end nearest the keyring it is skinnier than any other spot by a good 1/16-3/32")

 

if your car is USDM go to a mazda dealer with the vin and they can cut you a key.

 

Broke mine off 1 O'clock in the morning and I was 2 hours from home. Good thing I was able to get the broken piece out. Got a friend that was at the bar with me drive me to a 24 Wal-Mart and made myself a new key. That was seven years ago and never had the problem again.

 

My original key is about to break just like this. I had a copy made a long time ago. I think some of the stock keys had "skinny areas" that just made them weaker.

 

yeah, the locksmith i took the broken key to made me a copy, and it worked perfectly, now i'm gonna make 3 more just in case, i might even keep 2 keys on 1 key chain just in case one breaks while i'm on the road!

 

my OEM key has a very minor bend in it (JDM) i had a spare cut and i use that for my main key.

 

id recommended that everyone has 2 keys at all times, i keep 3. i broke one and bent another in like 6 months (but my key is cut near the head further than most)

 

As stated above......The dealer can cut the key acc to vin.
Just like an original.
Bring your registration as proof of ownership

 

My door key is about to snap and I just got a copy and go figure it does not work, looks like im going to have to go to the dealer. Hopefully these locks were never changed out.