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Vans & Minivans Mazda Mazda5 Mazda5 Suspension
221 messages, Last post on Nov 23, 2009 at 5:19 PM
You are in the Mazda Mazda5 Forum. Your Host is Karens
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My wife and I own a Mazda 5 that has been serviced several times for suspension issues. The dealership has tried to repair the problem, but it comes back every Winter and sometimes in the Summer. We've been so unhappy with the vehicle that we were trying to trade-in for an 09, but after reading entries here- I'm not so sure. We tried sending a letter to Mazda USA corporate offices, but got some young guy in Customer Service that took his orders from the regional technician. The guy even went so far as to say we either accept one of two solutions or Mazda would drop our review- which we took as a threat. So now we're sending a registered letter to his boss, the head of Customer Service & Quality Assurance (Mr. Yasuo Kunita). You can google for the corporate address. We like the vehicle, but I'll be damned if I'll accept that Mazda won't do anything to address the problem and fix it right (if they can). I'm doubtful that we'll ever buy another Mazda, but frankly, Toyota is having quality issues too (now that their number 1). Left to either buy a Ford Fusion or a Honda I guess. We've spoken to a lawyer friend, but he takes 33% of any settlement, which is only a little less than our present costs with our trade-in. Speaking of trade-in, I've never been given a lower trade-in value before. Mazda will only offer the least amount on the trade-in, even though the value of the vehicle has certainly been affected by this defect in design. Go figure!
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Replying to: mazda_5_ugh (Sep 24, 2009 4:35 am) I saw that TSB with detailed instructions on how to fix it. I'm waiting to buy a new MZ5, so I thought I may have the same problem. If I will, I will probably not go to the dealer the second time, since they applied the Mazda fix and did not work. I would find an independent mechanic and fix it for good with 3rd party parts. I may end up having a better vehicle. Better shocks the least. Mazda fix may be good, but execution often lacks at these dealerships, especially for warranty repairs. They get paid no matter what. The rubber bushings can be adapted from another vehicle and thus you can experiment. I will assume the problem is with the lithium grease and the way it is applied and also if it is retained or pushed out over time. Some kind of wrapping may help (not pretty). And this is all speculation. I'm wondering if any of the mechanics identified what is actually making the noise. I suspect that they just apply the prescribed fix without diagnosing much. Sorry for your troubles.
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Replying to: vicenac (Sep 24, 2009 9:29 am)
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Replying to: riproy (Sep 28, 2009 12:26 pm)
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Replying to: mazda_5_ugh (Sep 29, 2009 1:18 am) Mazda USA, Inc. 7755 Irvine Center Dr. Irvine, CA 92618 We've directed the letters to two people: Mr. Yasuo Kunita, Vice President, Customer Service Operations & Quality Assurance, Mazda USA and Jim O'Sullivan, President, Mazda USA Our thinking is to skip the low level employees who are hired to drag out the process and discourage people, and go for the people who have the power and authority to address the issue. If enough people send letters, they'll get tired of dealing with the issue and may be do something about it. They probably have thick skins, but a single drop of water applied hundreds if not thousands of times might work. Even if they don't act, they'll know that their decision not to act is affecting a lot of decent people. Word of mouth advertising works both ways, and Mazda will never reach the level of Honda and Toyota if they don't get serious about quality. Too bad, considering they have everything else right. Nice design, good handling etc. We like the vehicle concept, but the quality issues are out weighing everything else. Mazda's trade-in on the vehicle is really low, so even the company is bailing.
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Replying to: mazda_5_ugh (Sep 29, 2009 1:18 am) It did have an alignment the same with somebody that complained here. After a few days we saw the car was pulling left and it was hard to keep straight at high speeds. All the adjustments were on the spot. The dealer asked Mazda and was told to play with the strut tower adjustments. The car did not drive straight for long long time. It's a 2 year lease so, I didn't care much, but after about a year or so, the problem went away by itself. Go figure. I'm thinking they actually have a problem putting the frames together properly consistently. That leads to all kinds of alignment issues. I'm starting to get shy of getting a 5 (after waiting for so long). I can put up with issues, but my wife will get really frustrated....
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Replying to: vicenac (Sep 29, 2009 7:37 am) As per Toyota and Honda, just take a look of their latest recalls, good quality? I have my doubts. I actually traded a Honda for my 08, much better experience so far. But anyway, I understand many people's frustrations, no doubt.
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Replying to: coolmazda5 (Sep 29, 2009 10:27 am) |
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Replying to: mazda_5_ugh (Sep 30, 2009 3:54 am) |
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Replying to: mazda_5_ugh (Sep 29, 2009 2:18 am) I will digress for a moment and relate an experience that I had with Sears - big ticket item (mattress). I had looked at them for over a year - thought long and hard (a good night's sleep is worth it) - found it on sale - told the salesperson that I expected the mattress to be the same as what I had tried - stressed the importance of this etc. Delivered the mattress - they sent the FIRM mattress - totally not was I wanted - slept on it one night - numbness in arms etc. Immediately when back told the salesperson this was the wrong mattress - said they would send the "bed doctor" out. I said No I wanted them to refund my money and get it out. They said No I HAD to sleep on it for 30 days. I said they wouldn't want me in their store after spending 30 days on this bed. I also said (and this is what did it) that I worked in an institution of over 5,000 people who LOVE to hear stories of bad products, be it a mattress or a CAR. 5,000 people tell 10,000 people and I was immediately refunded my money and the bed was gone the next day. I thought about putting a sign on my car "yes the noise is from my Mazda5 and they won't fix it" , I thought about wearing a lab coat at work with a message on the back of it how about "Mazda5?, think again!" or "Mazda5 Doom, Doom". I'm sure others can come up with better ones. I had my rear bushings "fixed" recently, warranty expiring soon, then had the front done (metal on metal noise) - I was told " that should do it"? I seemed to have heard that before. Ever the optimist, I will wait and see. I agree that the vehicle is right for me but if another manufacturer comes up with something similar, my Mazda5 is history, but after the second year of the new vehicle. I had to purchase a vehcile when I bought my Mazda5 so I couldn't wait. I now tell everyone who mentions that they are buying a new car to go to the Forums first. Never mind Phil Edmonston who hasn't written anything negative about this car as far as I can see, nor anyone else in the "car evaluation business" for some odd reason. Just came across this advertising: Stevensons LLP has brought proceedings against Hyundai Motor Corporation for defects in the sub-frame assembly of 1994 through 2004 model year Sonata automobiles. For more information please click here. I didn't copy the Hyundai but found another one against Ford. Below is a settlement against Ford (hmmm Ford-Mazda) http://www.classproceedings.ca/previous%20cases%20ford.htm A class proceeding is a civil law suit where one or more plaintiffs act on behalf of a larger group of persons who have a common interest. Further details about class actions are provided in our Frequently Asked Questions section. It is often important to act quickly to protect and preserve your rights. If you believe you have a potential class action please contact us immediately to review the issues. We can be reached at: Stevensons LLP Attention: Colin Stevenson 144 Front Street West, Suite 400 Toronto, Ontario M5J 2L7 Phone: 416-599-7900 - or - 7501 Keele Street, Suite 200 Vaughan, Ontario L4K 1Y2 Phone: 905-760-2794 E-mail: cstevenson  stevensonlaw.net www.stevensonlaw.net All it takes is one person.  A media event or investigation is more likely to help if you can get them interested. Consumer Affairs or like organization perhaps. A letter writing campaign - same day mailings? |
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