I own a 2015 CX5 and today the computer failed. I had the car towed to my mechanic, only to find out that there is no replacement anywhere in the US and the earliest Mazda will have them available is June, 2024. Dealers are wait-listing customers! Are there so many Mazda computers failing that Mazda was unprepared for the number of cars needing new ones? It seems unbelievable that Mazda should expect customers to wait months to have their cars repaired. Apparently, there has been no recall or any provision to accommodate customers.
Does anyone know of any action being taken on the part of customers?

 

If that's the case, Mazda is like just about every auto manufacturer right now. There's sporadic parts availability across all makes and models. I have a GM car waiting on a new headlight going on 4 months. I know someone with a Toyota 4runner waiting on an abs module for 3 months. Looking at online parts sites tons of parts are backordered or discontinued for all my cars.

Reading your post it looks like an independent mechanic. His/her info may be totally reliable but can't hurt to verify. Make sure you personally call a couple Mazda dealer part counters with your vin and verify availability yourself. You might even put one on order as dealers will get them first.

 

If It were me, I'd check with a large junk yard. A wreck with lower miles than
yours could be source for a useable part.

My 2¢

 

There are rebuilds available. You just need to do your own foot work and contact venders that offer them.

BTW autobody shops have had a long list of backorder parts that waiting has been into several months to almost a year. This has been the normal for the last 4 years!

 

My only concern would be if it'd work due to being programmed to the old car it was taken off of.

 

There are series for ECUs. Most having to do (but not all the perimeters) with case type and connector location. ECU Rebuilders do not use the programs in them but run what is called in slang terms for the process a PASS-THROUGH. This wipes the ECU completely of all the programing and reinstalled the target program selected. Then the ECU is double checked for basic health.

 

Thanks. I did check with two Mazda dealerships and am on the list at one of them, but I’m still trying to figure out what to do between now and June.

 

You look for a rebuild unit through several of suppliers in the US as I mentioned earlier.

ASE

 

That's brutal. I do understand preference of a new ECU over a junkyard rebuild. After all, if you get a junkyard ECU it could end up dead in weeks with the same problem. Hopefully it comes in sooner. Or maybe gambling on the junkyard part is low enough cost to use it as a bandaid.

 

This is not really accurate!
Where in the world did you ever get this information from?
In fact we have better luck with rebuilds then new units. But then that called in electronics infant mortality. This means that an electrical part will fail or operated its designed life if there are no manufacturing problems to cause failure in the first 8 hours of normal operations.
One of my many businesses I own having to do with the automotive and automotive industry is EFI/ECU Performance calibrating ( not a self taught "TOONER" ) and prefer that my customers obtain a rebuilt ECU and keep the OEM on a shelf. Since doing this from 2006 I have not had one failed "JUNK YARD" actually rebuilt supplied ECU fail or go bad!
The current p[latforms I do this service for is in several countries on these platforms model specific.
BMW
BMW/MINI
Chrysler
Ford
and while not for any open service offer yet Mazda!