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When reading in this forum how Mazda won't cover any of the above mentioned repairs--I think the problem may be more with the dealers than with the Corporate parent-Mazda itself. As franchised Mazda dealers-they are still independent (for better or worse) on how they operate their day to day business operations and reading about how the dealers mentioned in this forum are refusing warranty repairs--this is a decision at the dealership level that of course makes the Mazda Corporation look bad and can hurt future sales/service of the brand but at the end of the day--it is the DEALER himself that makes the decision to honor/decline a warranty for repair that may come into the service bay on any given day. The Mazda Corporation is only as good as the dealer--and shopping the dealer's service department when contemplating the purchase of a vehicle may be more important than the price of the vehicle. The Mazda dealer where I purchased the cx-7 has stood behind the warranty the last 5 + years with no hassle or prolonged negotiation and I would seriously consider that dealer when purchasing my next vehicle.
Would I buy Mazda again? I've had some issues with the cx-7 but generally like how sporty the brand is and the dealer service was right on--the answer would be -"let's see what the experience of my current Mazda((now at 80,000) will be at 100,000 or 150,000 miles--."
VVT & Timing Chain Paper Work
and here is the TSB on the VVT
TSB Info
Hope this helps.
sue1218@verizon.net
Taking Cici in to dealership this week before something happens while I'm out driving around. The engine rattling noise is still there, and I saw smoke come out while passing on the interstate a couple days ago... uh-oh.
Just started a complaint with BBB but wanted to see if anyone wants to join it on a law suit against Mazda. Something needs to be done! Contacting Attorney General and US DOT tomorrow.Let me know if you are interested, more of us joins together the better chance we have to win with Mazda.
bikerpapa@wildblue.net
thxs
Susan Radomski
sue1218@verizon.net
PLEASE FILE- did you know the gov't has "The Office of Defects Investigation"
Dealer confirmed the condition as per the campaign... Said they couldn't authorize the repair at no charge because I was over by 4000 miles, but if I called Mazda USA, they'll be able to do something for me... (not quite....) Mazda USA told me that unfortunatly they can't do anything because I am over 70,000 miles.
I'm not dropping this.
I'm a former ASE Master Tech, and a former Instructor for the state Enhanced Emissions Programs... so if you guys are interested in champion some kind of a law suit, or complaint with the BBB, count me in and if my old ASE certificates mean anything, I'll blow the dust off of them and will bring them with me to try to impress anyone that'll will listen to us!
Bottom line is that this is 100% caused by a faulty design/inferior part for the application and Mazda USA is strategically trying to reduce their liability by sending out letters now (3 - 4 years after they could see a fail pattern developing) under the idea that a higher percentage of the vehicles would have been sold... crashed... sent to the boneyard... and therefore would never actually show up at the dealer.
Isn't it amazing that the parts needed to do the repair are on a national back order with no "in stock" estimate in sight... That speaks volumes to the magnitude of this problem....
Yup... they got a BIG PROBLEM... THEY KNOW IT... They're just trying to minimize their damages...
Like I said, if someone wants to head the line, I'll follow and support as best I can....
I was finally just contacted by Mazda corporate after submitting my paperwork to better business bureau but of course they are just trying to get me to take it in and pay another $106 diagnostic fee to have it not be the VVT afterall. Who charges you to check out a recall anyway?
My second car is a Lexus and the very few times I've had to take it in, I've never been charged a fee, and especially not for a part they know is defective. How can Mazda get away with something so illegal!
If you have already folks reading this...report them. Go to BBB, NHSTA, and tell everyone you know not to purchase this vehicle.
raepembroke@gmail.com
You can mark your email "public" in your Profile if you want to make your contact information available to other members. Posting contact information online will just get you spam, or worse.
If no one else is willing I will def be willing to take the lead on finding out our options for a class action law suit. It would be great to have you supporting us with your knowledge of the defect!
Zoom Zoom...
The car lost it's "zoom" after the first turbo was replaced, however I thought that's just what happens after 62,000 miles. Thanks for your input, and wish I had found this forum last year--I would have sold the car immediately.
At 55,000 miles, noticed a slight "rattle" upon starting the cx-7 and brought the vehicle to a franchised Mazda dealer. The dealer replaced the timing chain, VVT actuator, water pump, and a rear driveline seal. All covered under the powertrain warranty. No mention of sludge builup in the engine. I have noticed that the oil seems to get dirty quite quickly--using Mobil1 synthetic and changing every 5,000 miles. This could be due to the turbo and DISI construction of the engine--I was told that turbo engines do run hotter. Changing the oil on a regular basis does appear to be a critical component to this car's maintenance schedule.
Regarding the oil, you are 100% right that Turbo cars can be harder on oil, which means it is better to change oil sooner than later... When a turbo spools up, the shaft spins so fast and there is so much heat that is introduced to the exhaust side of the turbo, that the oil that is up there momentarily kinda get's super heated... That's not usually a problem because usually you're not under boost for more than a few seconds (taking off from a light... going up a hill...). However, it could be a problem if the car is quickly shut off.... Here's what I mean.
Once you return to a non boost condition, the oil pressure that is present because the engine is running allows oil to flow through the turbo, and with it, the oil takes away some of that heat from the turbo... That's one reason why it's always best to not shut the car off immediately after a boost condition... In other words... Don't be hard on the throttle (under boost) and then immediatley pull into your driveway, or your parking spot at work and then shut it off... If you do, it kinda just sits there and bakes with no new supply of oil to help migrate the heat.... Ideally, you really should return to normal driving, or if possible, sit and let the car idle for a minute or 2 to help the turbo cool down before then shutting the ignition off. (If it sounds like I know what I'm talking about, don't get too impressed.... It's just that I own a 26 year old 1986 Turbo Buick Regal with 60k miles on it, and a 25 year old 1987 Turbo Buick Regal with 114,000 miles... and have never had a problem with the timing chain... a timing chain tensioner.... or with a turbo. But then again... They don't say Mazda on them either....
When my turbo went out in April 2011, an independent mechanic cited "stretched timing chain" and "actuator problem", however, only my turbo sensor was replaced by my warranty company. December 2011, turbo again out, and I just found out it was due to the stretched timing chain that was never fixed last year. Still no car, unable to pay $7000 for a new engine.
Insist on a replacement engine, and stay on Mazda until they honor the recalls...your mileage is within the range. Fix it if you can then sell it fast!
I've been keeping meticulous records as there are several news stations in the area that love to do "on your side" type stories. When my car is fixed and returned, they'll get as much bad publicity as I can produce.
This leads to more engine problems and ever increasing expensive repairs for the driver. I have the same cx-7 and the VVT started to go out at 55,000 miles. The whole problem is a cheaply produced "key" that is working it's way loose and letting the timing chain get slack and then come off with catastrophic results!
I had mine fixed by a Mazda dealer that honors the warranty and fixed the vehicle in 3 days w/ no questions asked! The issue has come down to lighter duty parts and dealers who don't want to fix anything under warranty due to ever increasing overhead and expenses.
These days, when considering a new or used automotive purchase where warranty from the dealer is concerned--more research needs to be put into the service dept (asking for references from past service customers, etc) than into price potentially paid. Everyone is fixated on price--who ever does an investigation of the service dept before buying a vehicle? The customer only finds out later (like in all these Mazda posts) that the dealer is basically worthless after the papers are signed!
I called their "Customer Care" and was told that they would pay $500 towards the $1600 repair and that they felt that was more than fair on their part. Really...? How? An attorney told us that NO that was not right. A car under warranty is under warranty. Period.
So, how do you fight that...? Well, we are going to pay for the repairs and trade it immediately. We WILL lose alot of money, but will get rid of the POS headache for good.
I think we can agree that things go wrong with products every day...but it's how we are treated that makes the difference of whether we will buy that product again or not. You would think Mazda would get that too!
None of us should ever give up! Keep spreading the word about Mazda... Facebook, emails, word of mouth...any way you can. I am going to keep calling Mazda, sending emails, contacting attorneys for a Class Action, whatever I can. Hopefully someday we will all get a big fat check in the mail for all tha we've had to deal with!!! Good luck all!
Turbo Warranty
ll. Were you able to get any information regarding this? I (like many others) had my car stop running on me the other night while I was driving on the highway. I took it to a shop where I was told about the timing chain issue. I then called a mazda service dept where I was told I needed to provide all maintence records. Well, my dad has done most of the maintience (oil changes) on my car so I dont have records. Anyway I am a single mom with a 8 month old baby who needs a car and now I am left with out transportation for what sounds like will be an extremely long time.
Makes me happy to know that people are getting the facts about Mazda and NOT buying their junk. (They do however make some good looking lemons... their designers should get together with some good engineers and make a vehicle that kicks butt!)
Thanks for posting your decision not to buy a Mazda, hopefully others will read this and follow suit! Trust me, you most likely saved yourself alot of heartache.
We took a big $ loss and left our POS right at the dealer where it was getting fixed. They were wonderful and apologized over and over for the crappy service from Mazda, so we traded it off and left in right there where it still sits waiting for parts. We decided to buy American this time and got a Ford Escape Limited! It is awesome!
Oh, and just an FYI...do yourself a favor and get a 6 cylinder. It was recommended by all mechanics that we dealt with. Best of luck to you in your quest for a new vehicle...and good job again on your research!
Depending on your mileage, you can try to get a repair; since they extended the warranty it might help you, and just badger the h*ll out of the corporate rep you call (call the toll-free customer service number; the dealer staff are worthless) and tell them how many messages you've seen online, that by extending the warranty they've admitted liability, blah, blah, blah. Try to sound lawyerly. Don't threaten a suit--that just makes them mad and will shut them down talking to you (I'm a paralegal, so I know whereof I speak).
I will saw that my "new" turbo, now only 6,000 miles old, already is whistling, which means it's heading toward another failure. Leaving it "as is" is NOT an option; your engine will eventually completely die on you.
Good luck, we're all in this together.
My mechanic said the car will run perfectly with the parts they are put in, and is puzzled by the Dealership response. I am appalled by this entire situation, and can't help wondering what the Dealer motive is to decline cost effective repairs.
Anyway, if you can fix the car cost effectively, do it, then trade it in if they'll give you a fair price for it!
I have a third party zero deductible extended warranty that was purchased through the credit union when I bought the car used at 45K mi. I had read about issues with the turbo and AC before I bought the car so felt the warranty would come in handy. I was right. Fortunately I had all the service records for all full synthetic oil changes, tune ups, etc. both from the previous owner and from my service visits. I had to wait for an adjuster to look at the car after the dealer had diagnosed the problem before work could begin, and it took TEN DAYS of being without a vehicle before the warranty company notified the dealership that replacement of the engine was authorized and I was finally placed into a rental car. They say it could take at least 2-3 weeks (maybe longer) for the car to be ready... it'll take a week or more just for the parts to be shipped! I'm one of the few lucky ones who didn't have anyone pull the "engine sludge" excuse... I'll be interested to see how the car runs when I get it back, but will certainly be babying it until it's properly broken in. If I'm lucky I'll see the car by the end of March 2012.
well.
Anyone else waiting for parts for their CX-7 with a defective VVT?