Mazda5 Owners: Problems & Solutions

1679111217

Comments

  • smariasmaria Member Posts: 279
    Essentially the dealership's insurance should cover this. You should contact your insurance company and ask them how they want to proceed.

    Thanks for your advice...good to hear it from a third-party dealer's perspective. My insurance company said that dealers should have something called "garage insurance" that will cover the damage (or replacement, depending on what the assessor says...still waiting to hear about that). My insurance company said that if I want to use the dealer's insurance, I need to contact them myself (i.e., my company won't get involved or help me at all). As another option, my insurance company is willing to pay for the incident, but then I'd have to pay my $500 deductible, something I'd obviously like to avoid.

    So, I basically need to work with the dealer's insurance company now and see what they'll do for me. I'm going to wait for my insurance company to get back to me about the damage assessment first...I think that having a second opinion on the assessment will come in handy in the long run.
  • smariasmaria Member Posts: 279
    I'm starting to think that the $500 in compensation was just a rumor. If it was true (i.e., official) we'd probably have some confirmation from Mazda by now. Oh well...we'll just have to keep waiting and see what Mazda does.
  • thisisamericathisisamerica Member Posts: 25
    lolo2,

    hi, i have the similiar situation as you. I bought the car on 8/18 and called Mazda USA about the coupon issue on 9/28. They said it's over 30 days and i am not qualified to apply for the $500 coupon. So they don't want me to fax coupon or anything. It's really upset. What paperwork did u fax?
  • lolo2lolo2 Member Posts: 10
    The person I spoke to said the date on my coupon was after the purchase of my car. I told him I requested the Gerber coupon which had the right date.. and Mazda sent me the wrong coupon. I also told him that other people who bought a 5 were able to get $500.00 after their purchase. He asked me to fax him my coupon email from Mazda and my Mazda 5 purchase paperwork . He didn't promise me anything..he just said he would see what he could do. I hope this helps you.
  • giveucolorccgiveucolorcc Member Posts: 5
    Mazda should defininately do something to compensate the owners. According to mazda5lover's post, his dealer offered to pay his 1st (and the 2nd if necessary) month's auto loan payment. If this is the case, what about the people who paid off their Mazda's already? I'm sure mazda5lover's dealer is not paying out of their own pockets...
  • thisisamericathisisamerica Member Posts: 25
    lolo2, thanks for your reply. I also have the Gerber coupon but there is no date on it. Just says "Hurry, offer ends soon." Please let me know if u receive any further information from Mazda. Good Luck. When did you call and fax to Mazda? was it over 30 days after your purchase?
  • mazda5lovermazda5lover Member Posts: 29
    Truth is that I don't know if it came out of their pocket or not... I know I drive a hard bargain.. and they have been very very nice, helpful and friendly.. They have bent over backwards since day one... I don't know if I am getting special treatment or not.. so I won't disclose this East Massachusetts Area Dealer...
  • vanlarryvanlarry Member Posts: 1
    I put in a request for a buyback after our MZ5 was in the garage for more than 15 business days. I got a call one day after the 7 day period in which the manufacturer needs to fix the car or responds to the request. We were offered the following:

    - detail car
    - tank of gas
    - $500 cash
    - car would be done by the end of the month (Oct.)

    I said this was not quite enough to cover the lose of use and the potential of a reduced future resale value. I used the term substantial when asked what would enough. The Mazda rep then became defensive and borderline rude. This behavior meant I am now demanding to get our money back so we can shop somewhere else. To bad as I had my eye on the Mazdaspeed6 for the near future replacement of our other car.
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    Here is what y'all been waiting for...Got this from Mazda today.

    Thank you again for your support of the launch of the all-new MAZDA5, and your support during the difficult problem resolution process. The MAZDA5 is the most talked-about new vehicle in our lineup and one that has generated some of the best word-of-mouth sales we’ve ever seen.

    I write to you this time with a final resolution of the issue that has affected the MAZDA5, and to let you know what steps we’ll be taking to ensure customer satisfaction going forwards. We will offer each registered owner of a 2006 MAZDA5 affected by this recall:

    A reset of the time remaining on the vehicle’s factory warranty. We will reset the time portion of the factory warranty as if each customer’s MAZDA5 was new. Coverage (four years) starts again as of December 1, 2005, and concludes on December 1, 2009, or at 50,000 total miles, whichever comes first (the mileage portion does not start again). MNAO Warranty Operations will make this change in the warranty system sometime in January 2006.
    -- AND --
    $500 cash. Customers may use it as they choose. We expect some may use it for car payments or future service. MNAO will send checks within 4-6 weeks after customers re-take delivery of their vehicles.
  • bwatersbwaters Member Posts: 52
    Thanks for letting us know! What timing. Our son just bought a new Miata this afternoon. Now I can tell my wife that we get the $500 cash back this evening. Thank you MNAO!
  • drspongklongdrspongklong Member Posts: 48
    Great news! I wished they also mentioned about when we can expect to get our cars back. "Reset time for warranty coverage starts on December 5", would that mean we expect to get our cars back by December 1st? I hope not. I missed my 5 too much already. :cry:
  • drspongklongdrspongklong Member Posts: 48
    Great news! I wished they also mentioned about when we can expect to get our cars back. "Reset time for warranty coverage starts on 01 December 05", would that mean we expect to get our cars back by December 1st? I hope not. I missed my 5 too much already. :cry:
  • vinnyfastvinnyfast Member Posts: 33
    That's ok for the US market. What about us folks in Canada? Are we getting any kind of deal like that, or did Mazda forget about us? If they did, I'll be sure to tell everyone I know about this story. I can tell them a good news story, or a bad one. Guess it's all up to Mazda.
  • drspongklongdrspongklong Member Posts: 48
    Am pretty sure you will be treated fairly. Am pretty sure MAZDA is reading this forum too.
  • lost5lost5 Member Posts: 8
    what about we ordered 5 on Sep 2, and are waiting for the shipment ... as my dealer has not bothered to tell us for the recall ... doubt they will tell us any compensation ... I decide to face them this weekend ... What a Mazda dealer in London, Ontario, Canada ...
  • jagphantombluejagphantomblue Member Posts: 13
    I feel vindicated. That's what I reported a week ago. Guess it wasn't a rumor after all. :)
  • thisisamericathisisamerica Member Posts: 25
    Thanks for letting us know! What timing. I called my dealer and they have the same info. They will have parts next week and the car will be ready for pick up one day after they receive the parts.

    Ho-ray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
  • hkeoghhkeogh Member Posts: 14
    Looks like Mazda is not taking this very seriously
    as $500 is about 2.5% of the vehicle. For each recall
    the value of the car is shot down by a good $1,000
    dollars.

    Class Action Anyone?
  • whipped95whipped95 Member Posts: 46
    Great news audia8q, Mazda surely seems to be handling the situation very well. The warranty coverange was a must do in my mind but, the $500 cash back is very generous. Customer satisfaction is the name of the game especially with the brand new 5.

    On an side note, I picked my 5 up on Monday (Carbon Gray Touring w/5spd and now tint :) ). Service guys said the commonality between the 3 incidents was that they were all automatic transmissions and the already heard of driving in 2nd gear story. They said they released 1 other 5 to a customer and I was the 2nd. So there are at least two idiots driving their 5s around town :).
  • smariasmaria Member Posts: 279
    Looks like Mazda is not taking this very seriously as $500 is about 2.5% of the vehicle. For each recall the value of the car is shot down by a good $1,000 dollars.

    Huh? You're entitled to your opinion, but I disagree...I think that $500 per vehicle is very generous. That's over a million dollars total for Mazda.

    Do you really think that your car is automatically worth $1000 less just because it was recalled? I don't believe that...in the end, despite the long length of this saga, the fix is very minor (i.e., no mechanical parts need to be replaced).
  • lolo2lolo2 Member Posts: 10
    Yes , I bought my car on 9/10 and faxed my info to Mazda on 10/17.
  • lolo2lolo2 Member Posts: 10
    Wow, I talked to my service department ( in Houston) today and they said they know nothing about when the 5's will be fixed. According to them Mazda is still testing the heat shield. They know nothing about a rebate or an extended warranty. I told him I called Mazda on Monday and was told we should get our cars back around the 24th of Oct. He kind of snickered and said he didn't think so...It seems like the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing :confuse:
  • nevergrowupnevergrowup Member Posts: 17
    I just called the Mazda dealer in Florida that has my Mazda 5. The service manager stated he had been told this week by Mazda, there was no firm solution yet and Mazda would inform him on Oct 24 what work would be need to be done and when they could expect parts. Appearently the dealers are getting different answers.
  • drspongklongdrspongklong Member Posts: 48
    I also talked to my service dept (in Fort Worth) today and they said Mazda engineers are still working on the fix and that they don't know when the parts will come in. I asked if they have any idea when the fix arrives and was told maybe 2 to 3 weeks. If Mazda said that we should be getting our cars back around the 24th then Mazda may not be communicating well with the dealers about this recall. Most dealers don't know what's going on. They should hire somebody whose job is only to read this forum every hour everyday
  • mazdasidmazdasid Member Posts: 9
    The dealer that I have been happily working with in Texas called me to day to verify the same things that have been said here. Extended the warranty and $500 cash back. Only thing different was parts shipped out the 24th and car should be ready within 2 weeks of receiving parts.
  • notasannoyednotasannoyed Member Posts: 1
    I got a call from the dealership today. They confirmed that they are restarting the warranty period to 12/1/2005 and sending a $500 check. That seems reasonable to me. The $500 covers my payments for the timeframe that I was without the car so I was effectively driving for free for 6 weeks or so. Of course driving a MPV isn't nearly as much fun, but I feel like they came pretty close to making me whole.
  • thisisamericathisisamerica Member Posts: 25
    hi, lolo2,

    in my case, i bought my car on 8/18 and called on 9/28 and they said i was not qualified. But I still mail my sales receipt with one mazda email on 10/1. But nothing from mazda yet. Let's see who will gets any reply from mazda sooner. and good luck to both of us ;)
  • dashdogdashdog Member Posts: 6
    I've been following this forum since the recall. I ordered my Mazda5 on 9/22. I was told then (pre-recall) that it would be 14 weeks max for delivery. Does anyone really know if production was stopped? Are the dealers still getting new 5's? From the way things sound, I think I'll be lucky to get my car by spring! At least I kept my Passat Wagon.
  • pir8mattpir8matt Member Posts: 45
    My dealer here in Florida said they will recieve parts on or around the 24th, and that we will recieve $500 compensation, and the warrantee will reset to Dec 1st. Glad my dealer isn't as clueless as some of these other ones appear to be.

    Unfortunately, apparently I have to submit a claim with my OWN insurance company to fix the windshield crack I got from a pebble on the highway. Im not too happy about that, because its just more crap that I have to deal with myself because of this recall, but the dealer was adamant that I would need to do it under my policy.

    Oh well, I'll just be glad when this is over, and I'll use the $500 to pay for a much-needed window tinting, and the leftover I'll use for a roof rack. Score!
  • raceymomraceymom Member Posts: 18
    Hi there, my dealer is sticking with the Oct. 24th date, but I am not very confident with that. I also sent in for the Gerber rebate and am waiting a reply.

    Does anyone have any recommendations on the window tinting? What shade? How many windows? What should the cost be? I hate to have to do this aftermarket, does it hold up or can you scratch it off? I would like to use my rebate to add this much needed feature. Thanks. :blush:
  • frgjbfrgjb Member Posts: 10
    I don't have any recommendation, but just a comment. My wife is not fond of window tinting at all. She likes to be able to see into a car. I'm not sure that she has ever thought about the thermal effect. Hmmm. We will try our 5 (when it arrives) for a while without the tinting. Might actually work to our benefit during the winter, but it will be interesting to see how things will heat up in the summer. I'm looking forward to the experiment.
  • whipped95whipped95 Member Posts: 46
    I have 30% tint on the front windows, which are the lightest of all of them. The rear passenger sides are limo tint (very dark) as well as the small cargo sides. The hatch window is just a bit lighter to allow better visivility when backing up etc... It cost me $139.00 USD, but it was a special deal set up through my father in law who works for the dealership. You might be able to get it for ~180-200, and as long as the place does reputable work it should last quite some time, or at least come with a decent warranty. Shade is totally up to your preferences, what color 5 do you have? Will you be placing valuable items in the cargo area? Then put darker tint to prevent snooping eyes. Live in Arizona? Get very dark tint, or a light reflective (mirrored) type. I will try and post some pics when I get a chance.
  • whipped95whipped95 Member Posts: 46
    The tint has made a significant difference in the overall cooling effectiveness of the 5. Trust me, you're going to want tint if you plan on filling up the 2nd and 3rd rows with people. Everything cools much faster and the interior doesn't get as hot. It'll also make your 5 look a lot sharper. It's definately worth the money. If you get anything at all, get this first. :shades:

    PS we should probably post this over in the accessories/mods forum.
  • thisisamericathisisamerica Member Posts: 25
    " I also sent in for the Gerber rebate and am waiting a reply. "

    HI, raceymom,

    Did u sent in the rebate after you purchased your car? What documents did you send to mazda usa? IN my case, I sent one email and my sales receipt to Farmington Hills, MI 48331-2909 on 10/01. I am waiting for a reply too.
  • raceymomraceymom Member Posts: 18
    I sent in for the rebate about a month ago but I didn't fall within their time frame. I think I bought my 5 on 9/11 and the rebate applied to purchases 9/17 on. I sent a copy of my window sticker and loan documents along with the email that I received regarding the $500 rebate. I will post when I get a response.
  • raceymomraceymom Member Posts: 18
    I live in Northern California and bought the 5 in the Stellar Silver Green color. It is a very different color that you have never seen on a car before. It is a very light sage kind of green. You would have to see it. Anyway, I was quoted a price of $400 to tint from my local Mazda dealer. A rip off it appears. I will try to find a shop that can do it for me. Thanks for the info.
  • thisisamericathisisamerica Member Posts: 25
    raceymom,
    thanks for your reply. So you sent all documents almost one month earlier than me but still have no reply yet. I thought the $500 check or reply from Mazda should be given within 30 days from the date it was mailed as stating in their email. It looks like they take longer than 30 days in your case. anyway, good luck!!! I will also post when i get any reply from Mazda usa
  • ken40ken40 Member Posts: 1
    Hello,
    I would like to buy a new Mazda 5 ,
    What you guys suggest me to do is it good choice?
  • bwatersbwaters Member Posts: 52
    I saw the Stellar Silver Green and agree that you really have to see it. I believe it was originally called Stellar Silver. It's more sage metalic than silver though. It doesn't look anything like the color on Mazda USA's website:

    http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsMain&vehicleCode=MZ- 5

    I like the recently redesigned site!

    My wife didn't want black, white or silver/gray. I bet she would have liked the Stellar Silver Green though. It's really a colorful eye catcher.

    Honestly, it's been so long since we've seen our car, I'd have a difficult time describing the color. We bought the Cardinal Red mainly because it was the package we wanted, manual sport with a moonroof. This is another color that you would have to see. It's not any Cardinal Red that I've seen before and is not close to the Cardinal Red on the website. I've read some posts here that mention a pink hue in the Cardinal Red and I know what they were seeing but the color is pink like yours is silver. Our first choice was Phantom Blue but we have yet to see on in person. I've seen every color but the Phantom Blue so far.
  • thisisamericathisisamerica Member Posts: 25
    I just want to remind all 5 owners to make sure they have received the registration from DMV. I purchased the 5 on 8/18 and already received the certificate of title from dmv. However, i just noticed that i have not received the registration from dmv yet. So i called my dealer to ask them to have a look at my 5 and it shows that the temp. registration was expired on 10/2 already.

    So i am here to remind all 5 owners to make sure they have new registration frm DMV already
  • pir8mattpir8matt Member Posts: 45
    Hey, how do you get this gerber rebate, anyway?
  • vinnyfastvinnyfast Member Posts: 33
    I heard it to on my GT. Around 50 to 100kph, when going over rough roads, I noticed a bit of a rattle coming from the side or back but couldn't figure out where. My dad noticed when I was parked that the right sliding door - top hinge that slides, wasn't seated properly in the channel it rides in, and I could notice the sound when I moved it a bit. Check out both sides because that could be it. When I brought it in for the recall, I added that to get fixed. Other than that, I've had no problems with anything else, afetr 1500km.
  • vinnyfastvinnyfast Member Posts: 33
    Mazda Canada Corp called me today, (yes I'm Canadian), and they said the parts would arrive to the dealer by tomorrow, Oct 21st. The parts involved, from what they told me, is a heat sheild, and the resonator muffler. They would not specify on restitution being made for the trouble and inconvenience, but did mention that something was in the works. I'm just wondering what effect this will have on the car afterwards.
  • mr_elementmr_element Member Posts: 9
    Thanks Vinnyfast for the update. Am in Wpg. awaiting to test drive a "5" - but no 5 spd's on hand. I will only drive a standard, but am curious if anyone can relate any power probs with 5 speeds - usually std tranny "feels" faster, if only one revs it up abit.

    157 hp in the Canadian version sounds like alot - but not compared to the 5's curb weight (1512 kg or 3326 lbs). What the key here is "gearing" and "aerodynamics".

    I am trying to compare with my Element - which has 160 hp and weighs
    1538 kg (3384 lbs) and with the Honda gearing - it runs just zippy enough for me (and it has boxy aerodynamics to boot).

    How are Mazda 5 owners with 5 spds (providing you have some faster 5 spd to compare with) finding the power on flat hwy's (passing power)...and up variable grades (hills) and up mountains (BC or California reps?). I am curious as to the experiences of the 5 spd owners. What does the shift "throw" feel like - chunky or smooth, short or long? I am not interested in the FAKE auto/manual shifter - which I think is the basis for all of our troubles with the muffler. If you cant drive manuals, then stay outa and away from shifters. I notice Honda, Acura, and Nissan are all going to the trouble to put these "playful shifters" for the homemakers who cant learn to use a clutch - what a joke!

    Mr_Element (soon to be Mr_M5)
  • whipped95whipped95 Member Posts: 46
    The 5 spd combined with the engines quick response is excellent. Power is very smooth especially while accelerating in 2 or 3rd gear from 3-5k. I haven't had any issues with passing power, or should I say haven't had to downshift from 5th to pass on the highway. The shift is semi smooth with a short-mid throw. I can rest my arm on the armrest and shift with my wrist without having to pick up my arm. For it's size the 5 has considerable get up and go, especially compared the renta lancer we were driving for a while. However when needed don't be afraid to push it to 6k which happens fairly quickly. Even at high rpm, shifting is effortless with no hunting and hoping you'll hit 2nd gear. Compared to the rental lancer, the 5 is super quite with minimal vibration entering the cabin especially at high revs and at higway speeds. We obviously enjoy our 5 spd, and would'nt have it any other way. Oh yea, and the 5spd is way more fun to drive :).

    The 5 has been getting alot of looks from minivan, element and HHR owners. It's kinda funny, we caught woman at Sams jump out of her minivan and run to the back of our 5 to see what it was. :blush:
  • whipped95whipped95 Member Posts: 46
    I also forgot to mention, a few weeks back I had my first carpool (5 adult males, myself included) and didn't observe any major power issues, or lack there of. They loved the car, especially the NAV. The person in the 3rd row did complain about the lack of cooling, but the new tint will help tremendously with this issue.
  • smariasmaria Member Posts: 279
    I had a chance to bring up your situation with one of our insurance company reps who was here yesterday.... If you had dropped your car off the night before for something like an oil change the dealership may not be on the hook...but the car was there due to a demand from Mazda...this changes things a bit. Essentially the dealership's insurance should cover this.

    I wish that Mazda of Princeton used the same insurance company that you do! They use Universal Underwriters, who just returned my call yesterday (after about 3 business days) by leaving me a voice-mail. They said, and I quote, "we're taking the position that the dealership is not liable, because they haven't had a flood there in over 13 years". Can you believe that? That reasoning won't hold up in a court of law...my lawyer said as much...it's the same as saying "If I drive the dealer's car off a cliff, I'm not liable because I haven't EVER driven a car off a cliff before", and would anyone really believe that? Doesn't really make sense. I'm going to have to argue with them about their "position" on this claim.

    Now I'm mad :mad:
  • whipped95whipped95 Member Posts: 46
    Universal Underwriters Website
    Apparently there are 3 different coverage options the dealer can purchase to cover your vehicle while in their care. I have no idea what each group includes, or if flood damage is part of any of them. Either way I see it, the dealership IS responsible for the damage, and would consider them technically uninsured in your case if they did not buy or have the available flood insurance. It's a risk they took and now they must cover the loss.
  • chacobleuchacobleu Member Posts: 228
    The Mazda USA site doesn’t show the stellar silver color unless you try to “build and price” the vehicle. Now, comparing this site to the Mazda Canada site, the color depiction is different. I’ve seen a stellar silver 5 on the road (partly sunny/cloudy day) and the color is indeed more green than silver (probably, the best color for that vehicle so far). I guess that could be considered a sage green.

    On the Mazda 3 Hatch forum, I compared the Mazda USA vs. Canada site, in how they depict their colors (can’t speak or compare other parts of either site). The Canadian site does a better job of depicting. The Mazda 3 has a new color, copper red (not all 3s have this color available), but the site shows the lava/sunset orange color under the copper red title.

    What is going on here???
  • smariasmaria Member Posts: 279
    Either way I see it, the dealership IS responsible for the damage

    Thanks for your opinion. It seems that everyone agrees to that except for the dealer and his insurance company. I've asked Universal Underwriters to review the claim, I told them that their "position" (i.e. that the dealer isn't responsible) isn't reasonable, doesn't make sense, and wouldn't hold up legally. Hopefully they'll change their position.

    The dealer, on the other hand, is willing to do absolutely ZERO for me. He told me this morning that I need to find a way to get some money out of his insurance company or I'll get nothing at all.

    I'm unwilling to eat this loss (possibly as large as $5000) and just accept a damaged Mazda5 back, but I'm getting nowhere fast. :cry:
This discussion has been closed.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.