Hi, new to the forum but wanted to rant with the hopes that someone from Mazda does indeed see this forum since it appears that you can't email customer service. On October 31st. as my wife was coming home from from work she was complaining about the car running rough on the way home. She got off the highway and was pretty much dead in the water. She called me of course since she didn't have a clue what was going on. Well, I finally got there to find the clutch pedal stuck to the floor. The clutch was obviously burning I could tell by the smell. We got it towed to the dealer. The following Monday we told by the dealership that that detected a part failure and got Mazda's approval to do a tear down to inspect the clutch. The clutch was fried along with the flywheel and slave cylinder. We were told the dealership they did not know whether the clutch overheated and fried the slave cylinder or the slave cylinder failed and caused the issue with the clutch. That was November 5th. or so. To make a long story short the only time when I was contacted by the dealer between Nov. 5th. and Nov. 26th. was in response to me calling them. Finally, on Nov. 26th. we got a call saying warranty denied. The estimate for repairs about $3300 before taxes and fluids. My points of contention:
1. Reached out to the dealer and asked about a week into it if the warranty was denied. Told no.
2. Not even an offer of a rental, free or paid for by us. I understand Mazda does not offer rentals unless warranty work is diagnosed. However, no concern from the dealer seeing that it will probably 6 weeks that we are without our car.
3. 25 days to find out if warranty would cover the cost.

I feel that it was known that warranty would be denied but the car was sat on so that when it came to pay we would be so fed up with waiting and in need of the car that we would just shut and put up. I feel the dealer is double dipping. Mazda approved the tear down of the car to inspect the tranny. The dealer estimate is for 8.6 hours of labor which should be the charge from start to finish. In other words Mazda approved the labor already and the dealer wants to charge me for it to. Over $2000 for the parts you would think the dealer could come of MSRP a little. Thanks for hearing the rant. Before I get the flames saying it was my wife's fault and I shouldn't be complaining here. I am not saying that it is out of the realm of possibility that she did cause the issue. I just want to say one, the service guy stated he could't tell what the root cause was, wife has been driving stick over ten years with no other failures, and I promise she doesn't flog the car. I guess if you can't tell what caused the problem it must be the customer. This is our third Mazda and most likely our last. It may not be corporate's fault but the dealer is blaming them for warranty denial and I think it is ridiculous that both this much time has been wasted and parts are so expensive.

By the way, any recommendations for aftermarket parts. A quick search led me to LUK. I think I can get the flywheel for about $600 give or take $50 depending on supplier and the clutch and pressure plate for about $250. If some one can verify the parts for a 12 speed3 as LUK dmf118 and 10-064 it would be greatly appreciated.

 

Don't feel anything for you!
WHY?
How long have you had the car?
What year is the car?
Mileage? (very important, km or mi)
Clutch is a wear part, commonly abused, hard to warranty.

Oh i see it's a Speed 3, 2012? Lots of power to abuse the clutch on that one!

 

2 years to the day. 15 k miles 70% highway. You don't need to feel for me just wanted to express a opinion. I am well aware a clutch is a wear item. The last one I replaced was on my foxbody over 25 years ago. I know how it broke. This is my wife's dd. She has been driving stick over 10 years without issue. The car is not abused. Would appreciate commentary on the parts though.

 

Now I do feel bad for you, sorry!

Good luck with parts, sounds like you are in UK somewhere?

 

Thank you for the kind words. In the states. Columbus, Oh. to be exact.

 

Luk is a great brand! That flywheel is so expensive because it is a dual mass.

I would call and ask to speak with the service manager about the issue, and if he wont go to bat with Mazda for you, then call his superior. Go up the chain of command until you get someone competent enough to help you.

Good luck and sorry to hear about your bad experience.

 

I am a Mazda tech, I've seen both sides of warranty issues. Is this dealership were you bought the car? Definitely have a meeting with the service Manager. If unresolved speak to the dealer principle ( CEO etc ). Failing that contact Mazda USA. I've seen silly things covered when customers keep pestering Mazda. ( no offence meant )