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I am thrilled!
I am betting Mazda knows what the problem is - it is not cheap to fix - they have already made the decision to stone wall - provide no repairs and let the customers with the problem hang.
Its funny how this problem was from the cold climates due to salt and dirt so nobody in the south had it. I guess its now your turn? Hang in there everybody. If Mazda doesn't fix it soon, it will be Christmas and cooler.
My Mazda 3 vibrates at idle speed (i.e. when waiting at the traffic light). When I switch gear to "N" vibration stops, switch back to drive - and it vibrates again.
My previous car had V6 engine. Is it something that all 4 cylinder engines do or is it just me?
Vibration is not too bad physically, but really annoying - enough to make me shift to "N" when waiting at long stops.
How much vibration is "normal"?
If a company IS part of the BBB auto program it will help coordinate meetings between the customer and the Car company. This is done at no charge to the customer. With Mazda you have limited options - getting a lawyer and taking legal action is - IMO - not worth it.
First - it will take at least 2 years to get resolved. Do you really want to spend the next 2 years thinking about this?
Second - even if you "win" - by the time you pay the legal bills you will come out behind.
Third - Even though the AC sucks - does a poor job of cooling the car - it does blow cool air. This case would not be a slam dunk.
Our other vehicle is an 02 Explorer and it puts the Mazda to shame. Even with a much bigger cabin area, the ac is so strong that we usually have to cycle it back.
The lesson I've learned with this situation is that winter is a lousy time to test drive a new car. I never gave a thought to the ac because of all the cars we've owned, including my much missed 01 Protege, we've never had a problem until now.
From now on I'll postpone buying any new car until the weather allows a decent test of the ac. The bad news in all of this is that it's highly unlikely Mazda will fix this. The cost would be prohibitive. My temporary solution will be to drive the Explorer on hot days. Permanent solution will be when I trade this thing in.
"Am I correct in assuming that by your logic, Mazda should consult every person in the world about how to design and engineer their vehicles just so they can please everyone. Or would you be more happy if they just made a vehicle specifically for you?"
I dont agree with you qddave. "Fully functional" by their engineering standards?? Dont you see the heaps of complaints on the AC and so many unhappy customers even wanting to trade this car in? If you still call it "fully functional" (thats what the dealers say now when they test the ac, hope it changes soon), then it is a shame on Mazda's engineering standards. I dont want to call shame on Mazda, it is a great auto company... problems are expected in a new car.. I just want Mazda to acknowledge that and do the best they can to keep customers happy.
Mazda has no published engineering standards on AC performance. As long as cool air is coming out of the vent Mazda considers the AC to be Up to standard - since this is Mazda it should be down to their low standards.
Buying a car from Mazda is the same as buying a watch from some guy on the street corner - you pay your money - and what you get is what you get. Mazda does not give one ounce of concern to customer satisfaction.
The only way I see Mazda taking this defect seriously will be when someone organizes a class action law suite against them. The problem is the car owners would most likely end up with a $500 discount certificate that can only be used on their next Mazda purchase - the lawyers would get the cash.
Maybe - instead of a class action - everyone with the AC problem could E-mail Mazda customer service the exact same letter - on the same day - if Mazda would get 100 E-mails asking for a solution to this problem then maybe - just maybe they would start to take this problem seriously. Anyone want to write a letter to Mazda?
On a hot day (when you need AC!) with the AC full blast I still have sweat pouring off my back. Ridiculous.
"everyone with the AC problem could E-mail Mazda customer service the exact same letter - on the same day - if Mazda would get 100 E-mails asking for a solution to this problem then maybe - just maybe they would start to take this problem seriously. Anyone want to write a letter to Mazda? "
How do we do this? Maybe a chain email where we keep adding customers email id/VIN etc at the bottom and then send to Mazda...?
Or as you said we decide on a day and mail it on the same day. We should get people from all over do this, like people in the axela forums...
Tying this logic to the AC, maybe they didn't anticipate such hot and humid temerature requirements for the AC. Sure the AC underperforms, but maybe it's actually performing within the guidelines it was designed. Maybe it was an oversight, obviously a large one given where we are today. But, we don't know that, and we have no right to know....we're not the ones responsible.
I'll admit that if I shelled out $20k for a brand new car that has so much going for it, I'd be rather pissed too if the AC was subpar. I know because my Civic had no AC for about 2 months this summer. But Mazda wouldn't have been held a gun to my head, and I'm sure they didn't hold a gun to your head either.
Sure AC is a simple technology, but with all of the goodies in cars today, there's sure to be first year bugs. We've heard it all along that first year issues are almost mandatory. But in my opinion, I see this issue as more of a design oversight which will probably get fixed in a model year change. This isn't the rust from the 6 that could easily be TSB'd.
I'll agree that Mazda Customer Service dropped the ball on the "go see your State Attorney" or whatever the reply was. That was definitely not Hoyle. But I wouldn't expect an hourly worker sitting by the phone in North America to know the minute by minute status of an engineering staff 3/4 of the world away. That's just not going to happen. I didn't mean to offend anyone, I'm just offering my take on the situation.
Do you really think that Mazda would set a standard for AC performance where if the temperature is over 85 degrees the car never cools off. If they did set this as the standard then they are bigger fools then even I think and lets face it I think they are totally incompetent fools.
But lets take your position - Mazda engineering sets the AC standard - and the car is doing exactly what they designed. Then all of these stupid customers start complaining because - they expect the AC system in their new cars to actually cool the car. How dare a customer complain - they should just accept our (Mazda's)explanation that the AC is working as designed and be darn happy we even tell them that much.
Letter:
If we really wanted to do this someone could write the letter - post it on this board - Then we all cut and paste it on an email with your own personal information (Name & vin number) and pick a day like August 1st to E-mail it to Mazda.
I can see it now - Hey boss I just got 50 E-mails - from 50 different customers - all complaining about the lack of AC performance in the Mazda3 - should I send them all the standard - we are looking into it response - or should we maybe do something about the problem now?
I am new here.... I am currently having a frustrated and potentially dangerous problem with my 2004 Mazda 3. The engine would shut off while I am driving, with all the lights and stereo still on. I have brought back the 3 to dealship and they told me everything was in good shape, and they even blame the potential cause could be my AEM air intake. I cannot believe it.... everyone knows air intake has nothing to do with it... I went to couple car shops and asked for their opinions. They all said the intake has nothing to do with it.... guys, please help me....
Other forums have reported CELs with cold-air intakes installed. Plus there's always the possibility of vapor-lock, which WILL cause an engine to stall.
We're talking a comfort issue here. The unit does put out cooled air, but it isn't sufficiently cold to do the job in hot temps.
If the unit did not come on, or if it cycled on and off or shut down prematurely, that would be one thing. Fact is, it does come on and it does send cooled air into the cabin.
No court in this land would find that Mazda is guilty of anything other than not making the ac cold enough to satisfy folks who live in hotter climes. And that unfortunately is not actionable.
What Mazda will do, I'm confident, is to improve the unit in its 05 cars. But that's all it will do and frankly, to expect more is unrealistic.
Sure, those of us who got burned on this issue (no pun intended) won't buy another car from them, but the loss of our dollars is less than the cost for Mazda to fix our units. It all boils down to money, and as far as I know, no one will be injured or killed because of their perspiration.
I think discomfort can cause one to drift mentally and physically.
If a person has a new Mazda with AC and they have a health issue this also may cause unhealthy side effects causing a safety issue while driving.
We are to get what we pay for no matter what car it is.
Would you know?
I read a post about a month ago that said the AC is too small for our cars? I forget where I read it. I believe on this forum.IF Mazda doesn't fix it there are Lemon Laws in some states.
My dealer is to look at my AC Monday.
I didn't bother to read the rest of the posts, so if this has been answered don't shoot me, but please answer this question again.
Thanks.
Its very hot here now (28-30C+ lots of humidity) but the heat doesn't bother me so I'm ok. I actually go riding (road and mtn) in this weather and love it. For those that have health problems, this is a concern for them. Do you think you could call in sick because its too hot and your car won't cool enough for you to drive to work?
I think you should do the mass e-mail though. It might get their attention. Heck, even if I had a working a/c in a Mz3 I'd send a letter for you anyway. Good Luck.
2K / 41.9K = 0.047 = approx 4.7%, not 0.047%
approx 1 in 20 (1/20 = .05 or 5.0%) of owners/vehicles would be rather significant, yes?
Yes, those are large numbers indeed.
If you can even get 10% of the Mz3 population to send in an email (or two) they may get the hint.
Its funny how each great Mazda car gets its one big problem. P5 - Rear brakes, Mz6 - Rust/Staining, Miata - HP differences, RX8 - HP diff and Mz3 - A/C or lack of it.
Now everybody send in their letters to wake up Mazda before winter gets here.
So if Mazda gets 100 E-mails they will NOT think of it as - only 100 customers have the problem -
I am not saying sending a mass of E-mails will cause Mazda to do anything - Mazda has proven to me that they do not care one bit about how satisfied of a customer I am. Sad thing is I WAS one of the biggest Mazda3 supporters (go back and read my posts from January and February).
Safety issue & AC - my wife will not drive the Mazda3 into downtown Houston when it is hot. When she gets into the car she likes to lock the doors and keep the windows rolled up - Why? Because she does not want to be car jacked, raped or mugged. I consider this to be a safety issue. If you live in a small town it would not be much of a problem - but how many people want their wife or girl friend or daughter(or son for that matter) driving through a major city with the windows rolled down. That is why many cars have doors that automatically lock when you put it in gear.
But
You can find 205 50 17 tires for a lot less than $800. Go over to tirerack.com they have Kumho Ecsta asx for $93 per tire - the reviews for this tire look good.
Also Hankook sells a 205 50 17 the Sport K104 for $70 - do a search on Hankook I think it was raceredge.com. I think this is more of a summer tire.
I think these Goodyears will be lucky to see 20K - I had 7/32 of an inch of tread left on the front when I rotated at 5K (new tires started with 12/32) - the rears had 9/32 left.
I'm not sure why we should be attempting to come up with our own solutions while Mazda remains silent. (I hope they are actually working on an effective solution). If anyone has tried to insulate the ductwork and knows whether or not it works, I would be interested in finding out.
Waiting for Mazda is pointless. They can play the waiting game forever. After all, I doubt their top executives are sweating in summer heat while driving the Mz3.
I'll try the insulation idea. It might work. However, it's more likely that the unit is just underpowered and is not putting out enough cold air.
People who live in parts of the country where the summer temps are hot are also the ones who are complaining about this problem. However, Mazda can't fix just those cars. If they do something, they will have to fix all cars.
Therefore, they will do nothing.
I will check the temp of the air coming out of our Explorer and then compare with the Mazda. That's just for curiosity purposes, it will prove nothing other than one vehicle is good and the other one is not.
At least I have a choice which vehicle to drive when it's hot.
I could understand it shutting off if the car was cool - but why shut the compressor off if the car is still sweaty hot.
Our big concern up here is humidity. The temperature on Wednesday peaked at 90 The 'Relative Humidity' meaning the temperature of the water vapor in the air was 106 F.
Basically; stopped at a light for 1 minute with the windows down and no fan meant my butt was on the verge of hydroplaning between my pants and the seat!
So I thought what better time to test this system. I shut the windows (brief moment of a sauna effect ensued) Then cranked the AC while I started driving.
Within the minute I was cooled right off. I found no AC jumpiness although there was a marked power loss as I whizzed through second and third.
Having been down in Arizona in August I have experience 100F heat and can tell you it feels alot more comfortable than 100F in humidity where your skin turns to a sticky mess and the combination of dyed cowhide and human flesh should be illegal.
It was not as cold as my Maxima. This is for certain. The Maxima's AC gets so cold that it'll make your nose run after a while + it gives me a splitting headache if used for too long; this never occurs in the 3.
I will mention it to my dealer because I want to find out if it has something to do with the product they now use to replace freon or a mechanical engineered problem.
I hope they come up with answers soon - in the mean time y'all are going to have to sweat it out... pardon the pun.
We need to face the fact that the real problem with the Mazda3 is Mazda does not care about its customers - if it did they could solve this problem in a few months. The are more concerned about saving a few dollars in warranty claims.
I disagree with Mazda avoidance of the issue, its suicide for them to turn their backs on a clientel buying a car that is selling at the pace the 3 is selling at.
A solution will eventually come up when the figure out how to go about it in a cost effective method - unfortunately that is business.
Hopefully correcting this problem will cost less than losing thousand of customers - simple math.
They are simply not going to fix something just to be benevolent about it and take a massive hit which will effect their bottom line down the road that will force them to raise the price on future cars.
So the bottom line:
1. engineer a solution
2. fully cost it out
3. implement it on mass
- they have no obligation to explain to customers which state their at. If that was the practice they'd have to hire their own offshore call centre just to take complaints on this one issue.
You may be right Zbill maybe they have calculated their loses and figured its cheaper to lose customers than recall thousand of 3s.
I just don't believe enough time has elapsed to finalize that conclusion. 10 months since its release with the majority of cars selling in the last 5 months...the dust has had a chance to settle.
Therefore, they will do nothing."
Not really. Car makers often have fixes for things that the dealers only perform for owners that bring their cars in and complain.
Mazda has stated that their engineers in Japan are working on the problem. Let's assume that they are not lying. There are a few possibilities as far as this problem is concerned. It could be a software bug that the compressor cycles off too often. In this case, engineers would need to find the problematic code, replace it, and test the new code thoroughly. They don't want to cause any reliability issues by overworking the A/C system, plus they need to ensure that the new code is not buggy and that it does not cause some other problem. This would take a long time to complete.
Another possibility: the A/C system was under-engineered for the Mazda3 application. The Mazda engineers would have to redesign one or more components of the A/C system, and they would have to do so given the constraints of the space already allocated for the system. This would take a long time to complete.
This may seem a simple task, but in reality it would prove to be very complex. I would not be happy if my new car had an A/C system that was not up to par. But I think it's only fair to give Mazda some time to get it worked out. Rushing a software fix or hardware redesign would only lead to more problems. The Mazda3 is a pretty well engineered and built car from what I can tell. It's the first year of an all-new model, and there are bound to be a few problems.
And really, despite the uncomfortable temperatures, A/C is really a non-essential system. The transmissions could be failing like Hondas. Or the engines could be sludging up like Toyotas. Every car company makes mistakes; what matters is how they fix them. Mazda has historically fixed their problems pretty well. Give them a while to do it the right way.
Everybody thought the rusty Mazda6s were a huge deal, there were many complaints just like these, but it turned out to be a non-issue much the way this will turn out to be a non-issue.
thanks for your advice. I swapped the stock air-intake back. but problem occured again. I have been going back and forth between dealships and they could not figured the problem, and refused to "ensure" the cause of the issue. some m3 users claimed to have the same problem in other forums, and some of them said it was a result of faulty "fuel pump". As for now, dealships still refused to change it for me, cuz they said they didnt see the problem, therefore no replacement. If this problem remained unsolved, I will probably use my bonus to get another car sometimes soon.... I truly suggest potential buyers of Mazda 3 should wait for a little bit to see how Mazda respond with those AC, Airbag light, brake, and engine stalled problems....
Maybe you (and anyone else who agrees with the wait and see method) could post just how long it should take Mazda to come up with a fix for the problem. What is a reasonable time frame?
While I am thinking about time frames - does anyone know how long it took Mazda to design and build the Mazda3? I assume it was around 2 years, so I figure it this way -
If they can design and build the car in 24 months they surely should be able to figure out what the defect is in the AC system within 6 months. That is if they actually worked on the problem.
As far as your opinion that the AC is not a critical issue - I would rather have the tranny go out in my Mazda3 - if it breaks as in total failure - then it can be fixed - Mazda could not claim that everything is working as designed and they would be forced to repair the vehicle. Not the case with a defective AC system.