It is actually on other platforms maybe not Mazda. Check out BMW and also Chevy forums.

 

Honestly we will not even do this service repair. There are very high chances of parts breakage doing that kind of part replacement. So, when we use to give an estimate it also included all the possible additional parts costs. This tends to look negative to our abilities to do a service and not break parts. So we decided to decline that part replacement service type work.

So, if a DIY does the work additional parts WILL BREAK. If a shop, does it then be prepared to get the call the additional parts will likely be needed. And the older the parts are in the area that are under regular sunlight and heat the even greater chance of other problems during the service procedure replacing the dash component.

There is a set labor time but neither Mazda or other labor rate services (we use ALLData) define the other possible and likely parts breakage for this service time and procedure.

 

I'm thinking the bulbs are now part of the instrument cluster because it used to be really easy to remove the "Check Engine" bulb from older units.
Subarus used to be especially easy to do.
I have personally seen that done on several used vehicles for sale, though none at a dealership.

 

Oh so you were one of them.... thought that would get you emission passed ? lol
I could often smell the exhaust and knew that If I looked a little deeper that vehcle was not going to sneak past me on an emission test. lol

The first offense fine in CA to the emission tester passing a none passing vehcle was $3000 and the shop he/she worked at $5000.


On topic..... some bulls were somewhat straight forward but you should know changing a couple that the parts are generally held in place with snap tabs that even being careful break more often then not removing or reassembling them. So it really is not worth the trouble for many service shops not only ours to do that service..
Even taillight now that you need to remove panes to get to them. Not to mention but can include some tail light bulbs require removing them from the body panel and they can easily break as well. Mazda especially for some of there tail light assemblies.

 

Changing bulbs in modern vehicles is like changing bulbs in 1950's Christmas tree lights....

 

It's been six weeks since I was on this forum and I finally have an answer from the dealer.
The car is at JC Lewis Mazda in Savannah where I bought it and have had it serviced every 5k miles since. Currently, 72K miles. Manufacture date 03-2019. Purchase date 08-2019.
The top half of the speedometer display is dark/black since the first really cold spell here in southern GA. No garage. No carport.
It was looked at by an experienced mechanic where I live in Brunswick GA. He looked up the schematic and said I needed to take to dealer service.
Finally got an appointment last week and today the service manager advised me what needed to be done.
The cluster needs to be replaced. An adequate explanation for what happened remains to be discussed.
The process is to order the new cluster. When it arrives, it and the defective one will be sent to the Mazda HQ in Atlanta where programming the new one from the old one will be done. Then, they will be returned to the dealer service for installation of the new one.
Expense quoted is about $2800. $2100 for the cluster part and the remainder for labor, etc.
I don't have extended warranty as I don't agree with that. This will be the first and only major repair since purchase. Before this happened, I had already started looking for a newer vehicle.
Let me know if questions or suggestions or other comments.

 

The answer as to what happened is- the display failed. Not really a mystery. You just got unlucky. With your car being outdoors all the time, the parts have gone through a lot of temperature extremes over 6yrs. You may have issues with the infotainment screen at some point as well. That one seems to come up pretty often on the forums. As you are looking at a new car anyway, maybe just trade it in as is and let someone else worry about the repiar?

 

After my second Ford Ranger jump cab pick-up display replacement, I immediately traded it for this very reason.
Too bad as aside from that it was great small truck.