Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
Options
Mazda5 Owners: Problems & Solutions
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Of course I've been (and still am) upset too, but that goes without saying at this point.
*waving to the MazdaUSA Customer Service readers*
To all you customer service people, I'd just like to reiterate my call for "Help!".
What a troubling situation Smaria. I wondered if anyone would experience phantom mileage on a vehicle that is parked in a safe and secure part of a dealer lot. Was your car moved, or driven?
Speaking of "unable to verify", I've also been unable to verify the exact height that the water level rose to, since I wasn't there to see it and the car was already dried out before any insurance people came to look at it...that complicates things a little bit.
Steve
Well, the answer to your question appears to be "yes", that some owners will get back their Mazda5s with more miles on them than when they dropped their Mazda5's off. I snagged this quote from another Mazda5 forum:
"We haven't got any parts yet.... We still have 7 Mazda5's sitting out back. The manager has been taking them around the block once a week so the tires don't flat spot and the rotors don't rott so bad..."
Parts apparently came in Friday; parts installed were: Insulator Kit 2, Heat Insulator, Silencer. It was funny to see about 8 5s all in one area, after seeing none for so many weeks.
I had given lots of thought to going and grabbing my car instead of waiting, especially toward the end of September when it was clear that it was going to be a longish wait, and knowing that my car, a 5speed manual with 1,600 miles and a driver with an IQ higher than his age, was probably safe as it was. But it would have meant two extra 32-mile roundtrips to the dealership, and besides I would have felt REALLY stupid watching the car burn if I had guessed wrong.
Put me down in the "Mazda handled it pretty well" opinion group. Dealer called me only once in a month and a half -- today to say the car was ready; no calls with interim information but no lies either.
Good luck and short waits to those of you who don't have your 5s back yet.
pagetuner
http://pagetuner.com/mazda5/
First of all, modern tires don't flat spot. Well maybe they do, but it would take at least a year, probably more. Second, rotors don't rot, they rust, and it does no harm whatsoever. Did you ever look at your rotors after your car sits in the rain- that's rust you see. It comes off with the first application of brakes. Last, starting a car and only driving it a little does way more harm than good. I recommend to anyone whose car sat at the dealer for more than two weeks or so get their oil changed, unless it comes from the factory with full synthetic oil in it- which I doubt. If the car was started a few times but not driven far, there will be moisture dissolved in the oil that will break it down much more quickly than normal. I doubt Mazda will foot the bill on that one but it's worth paying out of pocket for if you plan on keeping the car long term.
Luckily for me, my car is still waiting to be built in Japan, although I may not see it for a long time.
I had asked for the seatbelt minder option to be removed and a front tag holder to be installed. Front tags are required in CA. They would only do the seatbelt minder after I offered to get them the TSB. And that's probably only going to help for the passenger issue.
We'll see how it goes. I would add that I think the dealers should call the day before your car is scheduled to be ready for pickup. This way you can make sure the loaner is with you at work so you don't have to endure an extra day driving the loaner. I just happened to call and find out.
Like many of you out there, it's been 6 weeks since I dropped off the car at the dealer. I have no complaints toward how Mazda handled this recall. I am grateful for what Mazda will give us M5 owners to compensate for the inconvenience. I just really miss my car and I can't wait to have it back... I keep getting questions asked from people I know who are like, "Did you get a new car already? What happened to the new Mazda??" when they see me driving the Ford Freestyle loaner car...
There is a clear reason why I purchased the Mazda5 on August 30th. After driving the loaner for a month and a half, I cannot wait to give it back to Enterprise. Anyway, good luck to all you fellow 5 owners out there.
I did notice there was no 'dummy sticker', as some indicated might be part of the recall, and the service invoice didnt mention anything about reflashing the computer. Looks like it was just installing a shield and baffles. I manumatic'ed the car into second and drove it past the shift point and noticed that it didn't shift itself out or anything, so I dont think they changed anything in the 'brain'.
The car drives fine and the window tint really seems to have improved the cooling issues..I went with limo tint on the rears and a little lighter on the passenger windows.
I really missed the interior of the 5 though. The interior of the MPV seems cheap and ugly in comparison. I noticed during my time with the MPV that the interior plastic really scuffs/chips/scratches easily. I shudder to think how this thing would hold up with kids (Im childless).
Anyway, glad to have it back. Good luck, everyone who hasn't gotten their yet. It shouldnt be long now.
I guess I sleep on it. Anyone in Ohio who has filed the lemon law and wants to share what they know about the process with me, please email me off the board. I would like to have as much information as I can when I decide if I am keeping the car or not.
Thanks,
Shari
Not trying to belittle your opinions, but recalls usually aren't made public until the fix is already tested and parts shipped to the dealers, ready for installation. Mazda chose to notify the public well before a fix was established, IMO, in the interests of the owners safety. It's been mentioned here before that they could have just let owners keep driving with the risk of another fire and god forbid a life being lost. They chose not to.
Sometimes I wonder if people are more upset at the recall or the fact that it occurred days after purchase. Would we have the same response if the car was 3 years old?
Thank you, Frank4Cars, for your GREAT dissertation. I completely agree.
First off, I absolutely LOOOOOVE my Mazda5 and think it is the PERFECT car for me and my family. I fell in love with it when I first read about it on the internet, and I fell in love with it even more when I went to the dealer, saw it in person, was the first to test drive and bought it that same day. I love my Max - that's his name.
Secondly, I really think this whole recall issue was DEFINITELY dealt in a more than acceptable manner and I do not understand all the hostility and anger. The only one who could be angry at his dealer and not at Mazda is the poor guy whose car got flooded. The rest of us should be just fine!
I was able to get my Max back in the beginning of October because I was tired of waiting. I just signed the simple waiver and drove it out of the service center after returning the rental. Even the manager agreed that the car was fine and that nothing would happen, but that I had to sign the waiver in order to be able to take the car and not hold the dealer responsible should anything happen. But, he even thinks this whole thing has been semi-ridiculous since it was due to PURE driver error that all this happened anyway.
Anyway, I was the first one in NYC to buy this car and I honestly feel very special and privileged in driving it since it is SUCH a cool, cute, fun, comfortable, good looking, great to drive, well built, attention grabbing, car that PERFECTLY meets my needs - I'm a married father with six year old twin boys and my wife and kids absolutely love the car as well. I think Mazda did a GREAT job in making this car. Just last night I was driving it at night on the highway by myself and I was revelling in how good it felt driving my car. I have over 4000 miles on it and it feels even BETTER now that it did when I first drove it off the lot - since it's broken in, but still feeling brand new. Can't get any better.
I have gone from NYC to Boston and back with it, from NYC to Cape May, NJ and back with it, and from NYC to North Caroline and back with it and my Mazda5 has done MARVELOUSLY getting us to our destinations in comfort, style AND safety. I couldn't ask for anything better. And, now, I am planning a road trip down to North Caroline again and another one down to Florida and feel very confident and comfortable in doing so. Plus, I love all the looks, stares and questions I get regarding the car and LOVE being the only one driving it since to this date I have YET to see another on the road. I love the fact that this car is SO unique! Also, everyone I show it, especially if they have a small family, SO TOTALLY wants to buy the same car!
I think we should all be appreciative over the fact that such a great car was made that meets our needs so perfectly and should be satisfied with the way Mazda has dealt with this driver stupidity induced recall. Shoot, we got a FREE loaner/rental (first I have a VW Touareg that I returned since it wasted TOO much gas and then I got a Mazda3 sedan) while my car was in the shop that I got to abuse for all of my errands and daily trips and adventures to upstate NY, Mazda made the notice as SOON as it heard of any POTENTIAL problem, even if induced by driver error, Mazda made the announcement even BEFORE the government agencies decided to do so, they are giving us $500 dollars and re-setting our warranties just for the inconvenience, AND if you wanted to you could TOTALLY pick up your car and drive it around till your heart's content simply by signing a waiver! WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? Some of you REALLY just need to RELAX.
Anyway, I am totally happy with my Max and I am SO glad I made this purchase. I would not have been as this happy with any other vehicle. Even after driving the supposedly better, more expensive, luxurious, prestigious VW Touareg, I STILL liked my Mazda5 better. It is a great car at a great price and Mazda did a GREAT job in designing it AND in dealing with this whole recall. Yes, it has taken some time to get the parts and do the fix (I still have to wait to hear from my dealer who said they would contact me when the parts came in so that I can take it in, get it fixed and pick it up on the same day, but in the meantime I use it everywhere as anyone should use their new car and everything is FINE), but I have never heard of patience killing anyone.
I'd much much rather take out my flood-induced frustrations on the dealer, because I don't blame MazdaUSA. But, I have to say that this lawyer made the lemon law route sound tempting, so I'm on the fence right now.
Steve
Could it be that Mazda counted the beans and decided that $500 now was better than settling a class action case out of court, which is better still than defending a class action case in court, even if they win?
smaria's case aside, I am not sure anyone here would benefit in the long run with taking legal action. I know that I am not in a position to make payments on a vehicle that I can't drive while I roll the dice in the hope that I may get more money later.
I'm in FL, and the dealer outsourced it to a local tinter, but they just charged me their cost for it, plus tax. I certainly wouldnt have paid over $200 for it.
See if your dealer will cut you a break based on the fact that you were inconvenienced for so long. I have to say, tinting makes a BIG difference.
Expect to see tint on the 2007's, I bet. Too many people have complained about the anemic AC for them not to.
Now, we are starting to use the heater and BOY does it HEAT UP!
Anyway, the parts are already in and I'm just going to bring it over on Thursday morning, they'll do what they have to do and after work I'll go pick it up.
I had one of the mechanics on the line asking a whole mess of questions regarding what exactly they will be doing to it. He was very nice and answered all my questions. I was worried that the car will feel or drive different with all the new adjustments, but was assured that it wouldn't. They aren't changing anything on the transmission, they are just recalibrating the powertrain computer for whatever reason, they're changing and adding a bigger and better heat shield, and they're changing the muffler. Can't wait to bring it in so I can have this weight off my shoulders already.
BTW, the car has been fine ever since I picked it up. Runs purrrfectly! i really love my 5!
I guess my point is, my service manager was extremely patient with me and my questions and when he didn't know, he was honest and dialed Mazda USA. For the first time, I feel as if I almost understand all this!!!!!!!! I do hope Mazda steps up and compensates us for the loss on extended warranties and I still feel the $500 is very low given the stress and increased costs associated with the recall, but it feels good to be back in my 5. This rattled my peace of mind factor that I hoped for when purchasing a new car, but I guess we never really know for sure, right?!?
So, that was my day...............
Shari
Anyone know?
Thanks.
I GOT MY CAR BACK JUST OVER A WEEK AGO. EVER SINCE THEY DID THE WORK SURROUNDING THE RECALL (REPLACED SILENCER, INSTALLED 2 HEAT SHEILDS, AND FLASHED THE COMPUTER), I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF VERY SERIOUS ISSUES.
#1 - EVERY MORNING WHEN I LEAVE TO GO TO WORK, AS SOON AS I HIT AROUND 30mph, THERE IS A SUDDEN JOLT, ALMOST LIKE THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T KNOW WHETHER TO SHIFT UP OR DOWN. IT ONLY HAPPENS ONCE A DAY AND THAT'S IT - VERY UNUSUAL.
#2 - HERE'S THE SERIOUS PART: I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY MORNING AROUND 60mph, AND WHEN I TRIED TO PASS A CAR, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK TO THE FLOOR, FOR ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS, LAUNCHING ME TO A SPEED OF ABOUT 95mph....WHILE I WAS TRYING TO BRAKE!!! LUCKY THERE WEREN'T TOO MANY CARS AROUND OR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE RESULTED. WHEN I CAME TO A REST, MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT MAYBE THE FLOOR MAT HAD CAUGHT THE PEDAL, BUT THIS WAS NOT THE CASE.
MY CAR IS NOW BACK AT THE DEALER FOR A COMPLETE CHECKUP REGARDING THIS SERIOUS ISSUE. MY GUT FEELING IS TELLING ME THESE PROBLEMS ARE THE RESULT OF THE PROGRAM UPGRADE. MY CAR WAS FLAWLESS BEFORE THE RECALL, AND NOW IT'S BEEN NOTHING BUT A HEADACHE!!!!
I'M ASKING ALL OTHER OWNERS TO PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR, AND BE WARY OF ANY PROBLEMS AFTER THE RECALL WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
IF I EXPERIENCE ANYMORE ISSUES AFTER THIS, I WILL BE CONSULTING MY LAWYER.
V.M.
CANADIAN OWNER
Good luck and don't go too fast...just be :shades:
I feel like not taking it in tomorrow and just waiting to hear back from more Mazda5 owner's to see if their vehicles behave any differently.
Good question. I didn't ask her that when she called me, but I'd guess that anyone filing a lemon law claim shouldn't cash the $500 check.
Should you even pick up your vehicle if the repairs were made, if you want to file a lawsuit for a lemon?
I was told that a customer can pick up his/her vehicle, drive it around in the interim, and none of that will negate, preclude, or hinder any lemon law negotiations.
Steve
Side note - if your accelerator sticks shouldn't you shift it to neutral rather than trying to pry it up with your foot at 95 mph?! I think I learned this in driver's ed 20 years ago. That and the "10-2" position on the steering wheel which is apparently no longer safe....
Best thing really is just shut the car off....you'll have some braking reserve in the vacuum brake reservoir and while steering will be hard you can grab it with both wheels since you'll be prepared for hard steering. Of course don't pull the key OUT...that would be bad.