Hi guys,
Been a while since I have dropped into the forum to post anything, do still get time to read your posts occasionally.
I thought this particular problem merited a few words in the forum. I bought a brand new Mazda 3 for leoness back in July this year. From the word go I didn't think it "pulled" as well as the demonstrator I drove, which was identical in every respect except colour. So from new the motor in my opinion always suffered from a bit of lag under acceleration.
After about three months (4,500 miles) I went to pull out of where we live, I pressed on the accelerator and nothing happened. I repeated this and the same - nothing. On the third attempt the car pulled away normally. I took the car to my local dealer who told me nothing was stored in the fault memory, but there was a software upgrade from Mazda which they would install. Software installed and the problem has not re-occured.
About three weeks later pulling out of same junction, the amount of lag seemed more noticable than usual. As I accelerated, I discovered the car would not exceed 3,000 RPM. nocked her out of gear and gently brought the revs up again, she would still not exceed 3,000 out of gear.
I switched her off then back on and the fault had gone. Took car back to the dealer again and it was the same explanation. No fault recorded and Mazda had released another software upgrade. - Starting to think Bill Gates is a shareholder in Mazda!!!
Over the next month or so the same problem moves from being intermittent to persistant, but with two new symptoms. The temperature gauge never moves of the cold extreme, and the glow plug waring light stays on until you start the engine. I booked the car into the dealership where it was bought, commenting that I believe this to be a safety issue and Ideally would like it replaced before it gets me or my other half wrote off. The dealer asked for the opportunity to check the car over before any exchange of merchandise would be considered.
The day after the car was booked in Mazda released a Technical Bulletin stating the symptoms above, and recommend replacing the air flow meter. The tech at Mazda showed me the bulletin and explained what was proposed as a workaround. Mazda recommend replacing the air flow sensor and the pipe which connects to the rocker cover vent. seemingly an excessive vacuum is created in the narrow pipe connected to the rocker cover which draws oil into the pipe leading to the air flow meter and knackers it.
They could not explain the association with the temperature always reading cold, so they replaced the sender unit anyway, and explained the glow plug light was just a warning which the handbook states refer to the dealer. Once again nothing was recorded in the fault memory.
I got the car back on Saturday and drove about 30 miles in her. The lag was no better than when the car was new, but the other problems were out of her. There is now a total of just over 6,000 miles on the car and tonight all the previous faults are back again.
Firstly is it unreasonable to request a new replacement car of the same model.
What do you think are my chances?
Would you advise that I allow the dealer another opportunity to rectify the fault bearing in mind he is likely to replace the same parts yet again.
We sold a trouble free TDI golf to buy this bag of nails.... now I am haunted by VW's advertising slogan. If only everything in life were as reliable as a Volkswagen!!!
Your comments are welcom either here or by e-mail to - rightclickit@btinternet.com
Perplexed,
Leon
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If you are persistant with MAzda and the dealer you may get a straight swap car.
I know a Fiat Mulipla driver who had so much trouble with is Y reg car that he demanded he keep the new 51 reg they loaned him whilst they tried to sort all the problems out.
He succeeded.
Good luck!
H
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You're within the first 6 months of ownership so under SOGA the fault is assumed to exist at manufacturer without you needing to prove it. I would write to the dealership to say you are giving them one more chance to repair the fault then if it isn't fixed you are rejecting the car as you deem the fault to be dangerous and an indication of the car not being of satisfactory quality.
You could try taking the car to a different dealer. Have you contacted Mazda UK to see what they think of the situation? Trading standards are also worth a call as they will be able to advise you on how to word things to achieve your aim.
Japanese cars are usually reliable so you seem to have been rather unlucky!
teabelly
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Agree with teabelly. Also see DTI website for a full guide to your [and the traders] rights in these type of situations.
Don't be fobbed off with endless attempted repairs under warranty, you'll end up with a troublesome car with a bad history when your 3 years is up which will be hard to sell on.
CF
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As with when a few early X-type diesels suffered similar ECU problems to late 2002 TDCi Mondeo's and Ford dealers were able to update the ECU where Jag dealers couldn't (at the time), it might be a good idea to get a Ford dealer involved. Though make sure it is with the Maxda dealer's blessing. After all the Ford dealer will have seen many more cars with this engine.
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Thanks to all who contributed advice and opinion to this thread.
The car was left with the dealership for repair yet again together with a letter explaining why I believed the vehicle was not of merchandable quality and expresed my dis-satisfaction with the vehicles performance to date.
The dealership were very quick to put the decision making responsibility back to Mazda, yet when I spoke with Mazda they were equally swift to put the responsibility for deciding whether or not to replace the vehicle back on the dealership.
I made two telephone calls to the general manager of the dealership in the first he offered to extend the vehicle's warranty for a year and offered me three years free servicing. I rejected this. In the second call he offered to replace the vehicle if the fault re-occurred. I rejected this offer also.
I had a telephone call late on Friday afternoon when he told me Mazda had agreed to replace the car, and I should have a new motor identical in spec later this week.
Once again, many thanks to all who offered advice, comment and opinions.
Regards,
Leon
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All look out for a 'Mazda Approved Used' Mazda 3 with about 6000 miles on the clock then!
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