They took it back! All Mazda5s have been indefinately recalled due to a potential exhaust problem. Mazda says could cause a fire--although none to date. I brought it in and the dealer gave me a brand new MPV to drive until it's fixed. They're estimating a month! What gives? Anyone know?

andrewlwilson, If the problem "could cause a fire--although none to date", you would still be driving your 5. We only sold 4 5's since they were released and had three of them back to the shop before I went home on Friday night and service manager was still waiting for #4. Only unsold was pulled inside as well. Have been with Mazda for many years and have NEVER seen this sense of urgency in getting the vehicles back. If you have a 5 then stop driving it and get to dealer on Monday. Have it towed if possible. It will be covered by roadside assistance. At this point I know little more than you do other than a potential for catching on fire. As soon as more is known will post and hope you will do the same.

I just got an email from Mazda telling me about the recall. Twenty minutes later I recieved a phone call from the originating salesman telling me to take the vehicle in. I recieved yet another phone call from the Service mgr. he told me to get the car in there and they will give me a loaner / rental. I am begining to wonder if I should have bought the first US generation of the Mazda 5.

This is the email I got:
Dear JAIME,

When you took delivery of your 2006 MAZDA5, we made a commitment to you to stand behind the quality and safety of your new vehicle. It has recently come to our attention that the exhaust system of your vehicle could have a safety-related problem that may cause a fire.

Although no one has been injured to date, your safety is our highest priority. We ask you to immediately contact your local Mazda service department so they can make the necessary repairs. We have also asked your selling dealer to contact you directly.

Based on parts availability, it could take as long as one month to repair your MAZDA5. We recognize how inconvenient this is, so we have instructed our Mazda dealers and their service managers to arrange a rental or loaner vehicle for you when you arrive at the dealership. There will be no cost to you.

If for any reason you do not want to drive your MAZDA5 to the dealership, you may contact Mazda’s 24-hour roadside assistance service at 800-866-1998 and have the vehicle picked up and delivered to the dealership. Again, the dealership will arrange a rental or loaner vehicle.

We sent you this letter before the official recall notification, which you’ll receive soon, because we wanted you to have the opportunity to begin the repair process on your MAZDA5 as soon as possible.

The MAZDA5 is the most talked-about new vehicle in our lineup and one that has generated some of the best word-of-mouth sales we’ve ever seen. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience we’ve caused and for interrupting the enjoyment and driving pleasure of your new MAZDA5.

Should you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to call our Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500.

Sincerely,


Robert T. Davis
Senior Vice President
Quality, Research and Development

WOW. Well, I guess this makes me feel better about the fact that my husband is making me wait to buy our Mazda 5. I REALLY want this car, but I need it to drive around kids so I also NEED it to be safe.

It sounds like Mazda is on top of it.

Stuff happens. There is no way to be sure how a car will perform until it is on the road, unfortunately.

In a few months, maybe the car will be ready AND my husband will be ready!

We had our Mazda 5 for 1 day before they took it back. My wife started crying. Now they're giving us a crappy mini-van (a rental). It would've been nice if they'd given us our Protege back.

Although I have no problem returning my 5 due to a safety issue, I hope this car is worth the wait. I even told my wife before the recall 'it's probably a bad idea to buy a brand new model'.

A friend of mine took his Focus back about 9 times in the first year.

An MPV was the standard rental car to be given to 5 owners. If you ask for a Protege instead they may be able to provide you with one.

Good to know

They gave me a 2005 Dodge Neon. Which drives like a$$

:( They gave me a 2003 MVP :eek: and sill wating [:@]

Hmmm. I have a 5 ordered and due to arrive 2nd week in October. Guess it will be delayed a bit. Bummer. I'll have to drive my non-mini minivan Villager a while more. Oh well. I still think it will be worth the wait.

ah, the minivan drivers.... haha. glad you made a good decision on vehicles. You wouldnt happen to like nascar, would you? i know around 10 minivan drivers and they all like nascar racing.

Here in Quebec, our Mazda dealer was a little slow to react. I took notice of the recall on the web and it's us that announced it the the dealer. But we have now a huge Grand caravan. Hoping it's not for long because it's like driving the Titanic! Not really a good driving feeling. We had the Mazda 5 since the middle of July (yes, we bought it and the production for america's was not started yet!) and we want it back ASAP. ASAP but safe as it should be too. I'm counting on babyhuey to keep us posted! He look well connected! Thanks in advance!

:D:D No, I am not a Nascar fan. Felt a faint touch of being a Nascar driver while test-driving the 5, though.:D:D:D

This link has some additional information:
Recall info (http://www.topix.net/search/?q=Mazda5&submit.x=56&submit.y=9)

I want to buy one but they can't sell me one until the recall is lifted. Any one here know when that is? The dealer left it up in the air, I was hoping some one here would know about when you get your car back.

Just spoke with my dealer (Fairbanks Mazda in Orlando), supposedly the #1 volume Mazda dealer in the U.S. 6 years running...they should have some pull right??? Well, they're clueless. I asked for an update on the situation and all they could tell me was that they did not have parts to perform the repair and it would be another 2-6 weeks before they had the parts. I told them I wanted to drive my 5 until they had the parts because of the lack of a real threat of fire (unless you cruise at 80 in 2nd gear) and, as expected, they told me they would be unable to release the car to me. My car is officially being held captive. Not only that, they're keeping it on the lot in direct Florida sunlight with no sunshield in the windshield. If I see one ding, scratch or dent on it when I pick it up (in 2006 at this rate), I will request a brand new car from their inventory (mine only has 250 miles on it.) I asked them to keep me posted, though I don't expect them to. They never even called me about the recall in the first place...I called and told them about it. I guess it doesn't require an exceptional dealership to be the volume king.

Don't mean to bum anyone out more than they already are, but it could be November before we see our 5's again...

I called Mazda (800-222-5500) last night and they told me it would be a month. I said, "A month from when?" They said from when the letter went out on the 16th. I then said, wow so 2 weeks, great I am ready. The guy on the phone goes ...well it will be a month. So Mazda doesn't even know when. He did say however that they know the fix and are only waiting approval. They are going to recalibrate the transmission and add the heat shield. Knowing corp. America it will take a committee and lawyers to get it approved, then the engineers to design the shield before they can ship it.

November may be closer than you think. Latest info I know of puts parts availability to the dealer at the last week of October at this point. Sorry.[:'(]

OK...first this has only happened to a couple of these vehicles.

"word on the street"

people have been driving these vehicles by mistake in manual mode second gear at 6500rpms for pro longed periods of time causing the exhaust to become etreamly hot ---the spare tire catches the brunt of the heat causing the fire.

1 month min for the fix...and yes the dealer will put you into a rental at no charge.

Does the recall apply to manual transmission also or just the automatic version? [&:]

I have been in touch with a local dealership for the last few weeks about getting a unit for my wife. The salesman send me a message yesterday revealing the recall situation, also indicating that the manual transmission units are not part of the recall.

My wife and I are golden age seniors and have been driving "Titanics" for years due to bad back and require seats higher than traditional bucket seats.
Then we discovered the Mazda 5 and purchased it, now we were not only comfortable but it was fun driving again with the 5-Speed!
Six days later the dealer took our toy away and put my wife into simi-depression!

We are are going to look into the Manual 5-Speed not affected issue, as we really do miss our 5.

My dealer took our 5 back eventhough it's a 5-speed. If anyone hears that 5-speed is not recalled let us know! I'm getting real tired of the MPV . . . I'm puzzled as to why it's gonna take up to six weeks to weld on a heat shield. I love all the Mazdas I've had, but this doesn't seem to make any sense (cents). Isn't Mazda (er, Ford) loosing a bundle on this? I've racked up over 500 miles on the MPV they gave me . . . it had 9 miles when I picked up; I've got two kids, park it in the city, etc., . . . it's hardly a brand, spankin' new car anymore. Sigh . . . . should've kept my trusty old 626 . . . ! :(

by the way i just call my dealer today about mazda recall...she told me that mazda going to put the heatsink to cool the temp down. and should be able to fix this week. sound like too easy to fix though.
what do you guys think.? ..u think is best solution for the car??i am think to wait 2007 coming up......ha ha ha..

We had to pester our dealer to get any info and we have also been told end of October for parts. Didn't want an MPV - too big - so my wife is driving a Mazda 6. Doesn't have the carrying capacity she needs for her work so it's a major pain in the &^%.

Does anyone have the exact date Mazda knew of this problem? We had the vehicle less than a week and only had put 160 miles on it. I don't think the dealer was aware but if I can confirm Mazda knew of this when we bought the car I'll be contacting our State's Attorney General. I may do that anyway.

I'm very happy with our dealer response. I was told on the phone yesterday that dealers will be receiving parts by the end of this week and we should get our Mazda5s back early next week. My dealer also said Mazda has released Mazda5s from the port to deliver to dealers for sale. That's a very good sign!

So, a little more patience and we'll all be zoom, zooming again soon!! :D

I certainly hope this is true, but as happy as I would be to get the vehicle back sooner, it would only add to my disappointment in my dealer if they got new information and aren't keeping us updated. They have only sold 6 so far so it wouldn't kill them to be a little more proactive.

On another forum I see that dealers are releasing cars now and allowing people to drive them. All they have to do is bring them back when the recall parts are arrive. Anyone here hear of this?

You heard right...I just picked mine up. The service guy hand wrote a sentence stating that "Mazda has informed me that the vehicle may not be safe to drive" on the bottom of the service order and had me sign it...that's it. He also wanted to make sure I was careful not to inadvertently shift it into 2nd gear for extended periods. He said because the engine is so quiet I may not realize it's in 2nd...and verified that this was the cause of the couple of fires--heat build up in the exhaust system due to excessively high RPMs in 2nd gear for extended periods. I think I'll be alright...I've been driving for more than a month. Anyway, it's great to have my 5 back...amazing (and maybe a bit weird) how much you can miss a car. Tonight I'll be installing the roof rack, exhause tip, cargo net, rear bumper step plate, and changing out headlights to super white. Maybe if I can figure out how to post photos, I'll attach a few after I get all my accessories installed.

Yes you can pick up your 5 if you want it back. The dealer technically cannot detain your vehicle as it is your property. You will need to sign a release that will make any damage or fire your responsibility and not Mazda's. Your dealer should have received this notice from Mazda by now and if they will not release your car then either have them call the regional rep or you can call Mazda yourself to confirm this. The overheat problem appears to not only have to do with driving in 2nd on the freeway but can also get very hot in the rear area by the muffler with extended idle so it you plan to get stuck in traffic jams may be better off left alone as is. The repair procedures, computer reprogram workup and any parts are still slated for the end of this month. I suspect the biggest problem is in the engine computer reprogram and making sure that the fix will work as anticipated. They do want to make sure there are no other problems with this issue and are trying to ensure a good fix. Again remember that this type of recall involving the return of sold vehicles is virtually unheard of from Mazda and they are doing all they can to get your 5's back to you ASAP.

I understand the growing pains of owning a new model. As a new vehicle owner we are part of there R&D for the future. Now it's time for them to fairly compensate me for the inconviences associated with this matter. Lost time at work, increased gas expenses, a payment for a new vehicle that I'm not driving. I want to brag to everyone how well Mazda took care of the situation... In the end the Mazda 5 is still an awesome vehicle!!!!!!!!

In reality it is NOT a new car, it has been in Europe for a few years. This problem is people here don’t know how to drive and like to sue. The whole issue was some idiot drove 65 mph in 2nd gear and caught the car on fire. There are no defects in the car just the drivers.

First off, I would like to say that for the short time I was able to drive the car, I loved it...it is the perfect car IMO.

Secondly, I drove it for a couple of weeks after the recall as the dope who left us a message for the car did not say it was a recall. I have a work order in to add a rear bumper step-plate...so I thought the message was about that. I was too busy with work and life to take it in for that. If the message would have stated something to the effect of "recall", I would have had it in much sooner.

Thirdly, I am troubled by the recall in general. I can understand a new vehicle might have issues, but recalibrating the transmission? I can't help but wonder what damage has been done during the few weeks I drove the car with an improperly calibrated transmission.

Lastly, a friend of mine drove the car home for me one day. I did not think that I needed to explain how to shift the car...and we all know what happens when you make an assumption. Anyhow, when he got the vehicle home, he told me the rpms were in the 6500 range until he noticed he was driving in manual mode. I was not happy with that at all, but my frustration was with the design. Also, once when I was driving, I bumped the gear select to manual mode by accident.

I think something needs to be done with that gear select. Maybe a thumb-trigger or another type of switch that keeps it from going into manual mode without your knowledge (that is, by accident...I have never seen it switch by itself).

I want the car back! It is so nice and so fun to drive.

Is anyone else worried that damage might have been done while driving it? I don't want a car that has transmission or engine (or any) damage back.

I just recieved a fed ex envelope from Mazda USA stating they were going to "officially" declare the recall on October 24th. Anyone get a letter like this recently ?

Yes, I received one yesterday.

I also received my letter yesterday. I can't wait to get rid of this stupid MPV once and for all. I feel like i'm driving a school bus (and it handles almost as well as a scholl bus). Let's hope that the modifications happen QUICKLY. I had my Mazda 5 for about 10 days before they ripped it out of my hands. Heck, I had to look it up on the web sight because I forgot what it looked like.

Hello All,
Just join forum and a newbie at this :)
Question about recall for the mz5.
Was planning to purchase one but dealer said "cant sell you one untill recall is over with" The letter that every prior owners got, does that also mean that dealer can resume selling after recall is pulled?

Thanks

I am certain you will not be able to buy a mazda5 until they are fixed. I doubt (actually hope) that 5's already sold would be upgraded first...but then there is the salesflor...if someone came in ready to buy...dunno...

You think driving an MPV is bad ? Try driving a Neon...

It would be cool if Mazda offers the rebates s they are going to offer when they officially start marketing the Mazda 5 to the people who got their cars snatched days after buying them.

I am buying one too. I went to the dealer and they told me I had to wait. I called Mazda and they said the dealer is independently owned and can do whatever they want. So if you really wanted to, you can go buy it, then when the heat shield is in take it back to install it. The cars are safe to drive, just don't go 65 in 2nd too long :) For me I am buying this as a gift and I don't want to have to take it back later so I am waiting and am in constant contact with the dealer and once it is fixed I am off to the races. Could be next week but likely the week after. The dealer has a sold sticker on mine already and I can't wait to buy it. My wife has no idea I got her a new car ;)

ORIGINAL: newMazdaguy

IThe cars are safe to drive, just don't go 65 in 2nd too long


I have seen you mention this thing about 65 in 2nd gear a couple times now. Do you have a pointer to an authoritative source on this? Did you hear it from a dealer, or what?

Both the dealer and Mazda. I called mazda my self and they told me that on the phone. In Manual mode if you go 65mph in 2nd gear for a long time the car can catch fire (it has happened 3 times). The exhaust gets too hot. The thing is this is NOT a new car, it has been in Japan for a couple years with NO ISSUE. (I guess they know how to drive and aren't sue crazy). Face it, even in driver error if your car goes up in smoke in America some one is sueing. It is good they are putting on the shield, my wife is not the best driver and has never seen this type of Transmission so I would want it protected so my family doesn't burn up. But of course taught her how to use it, so there is no issue.

Thanks for the reply newMazdaguy. I sort of vaguely remeber reading somewhere that the fires were starting at the rear bumber, but I can't find where I saw that so maybe I'm just remembering wrong. Anyway, if it is the bumper there is a good chance those might be different on USA versions of the car. I would want a manual tranny anyway, so not a big issue for me.

Does anyone know if they are allowing test drives again? I want to go look at the 5 and the 6 wagon on Sunday.

Just got off the phone with a Mazda Rep and I was told they were sending a letter out to all owners and explaining the "compensation package"

Its $500
and resetting the warranty date to December 1 2005

Just got this from another forum


Here is what y'all been waiting for...Got this from Mazda today.

Thank you again for your support of the launch of the all-new MAZDA5, and your support during the difficult problem resolution process. The MAZDA5 is the most talked-about new vehicle in our lineup and one that has generated some of the best word-of-mouth sales we’ve ever seen.

I write to you this time with a final resolution of the issue that has affected the MAZDA5, and to let you know what steps we’ll be taking to ensure customer satisfaction going forwards. We will offer each registered owner of a 2006 MAZDA5 affected by this recall:

A reset of the time remaining on the vehicle’s factory warranty. We will reset the time portion of the factory warranty as if each customer’s MAZDA5 was new. Coverage (four years) starts again as of December 1, 2005, and concludes on December 1, 2009, or at 50,000 total miles, whichever comes first (the mileage portion does not start again). MNAO Warranty Operations will make this change in the warranty system sometime in January 2006.
-- AND --
$500 cash. Customers may use it as they choose. We expect some may use it for car payments or future service. MNAO will send checks within 4-6 weeks after customers re-take delivery of their vehicl

I can confirm this...we just received the same call from our dealer...$500 cash and reset of the warranty (by years, not miles).

IMO, the shifter can easily be bumped into manaul mode, and the engine is so quiet it is hard to notice sometimes.

They need to install a safety lock or release mechanism on the shifter that prevents the shifter from being bumped into manual mode, IMO.

My car is the 5 gear so hopefully will not need to wait as long as the Automatic .. here's " HOPING" & "WISHING" & "PRAYING" :-)

I just talk to my dealer here in Quebec, Canada, and ALL the model (automatic or 5 speed) will receive the same medecine.

He told me that the replacement part is beeing made but was not able to tell me when it will be avalaible to the dealers.

And he was not able to confirm that the warranty would be ajusted nor if we too would receive a 500$ cash.

Wait and see.......

nascar is very boring now f1 racing is way better!

I guess Madza is still on for the 24th to ship out parts. (my dealer told me). So next week I may have my car.... I shall call mazda later today to confirm.

Also did anyone notice that Mazda changed their website? I like it.

Hey gang, we are back in business! We will have our 5 back tonight!

Yeah!

And it's the same thing here in Canada, the waranty is set to start from decembre and a 500$ will be sent to us by Mazda!

Any one get thier cars back yet? Some dealers don't even have parts yet

My dealer received 6 repair kit on monday for the 25 car in the parking lot. Since we we're the fourth to bring the car back, we we're in the lucky first to get it back! All clean and the gas tank full. Thanks Mazda Chatel!

Good luck!

What part of the country are you in?

Québec city, Canada

Maybe Canada is faster then the USA, My dealer in CA. has nothing :(

Recall info up on the Mazda dealer site this morning. Parts will start shipping on the 25th and dealers should receive between 26th and November 4. The closer dealer is to shipping facility the sooner they will get parts. All customer cars are to be repaired BEFORE non-retailed vehicles so you should get back first. Looks like Main Silencer will be replaced and heat insulators installed as well. PCM reprogramming will also be performed. After repairs the vehicle is to be detailed to showroom quality and fuel tank topped off. Mazda is also asking that all vehicles be delivered to you at home or work and rental vehicle picked up.
Hope you all get your 5's back by the weekend.[sm=groupwave.gif]

Called mazda Canada today they told me they were shipping all parts out as we spoke..went to my dealer he said that they had not got all the parts yet but i would get my 5 one day next week

Can you let me know the website for the Mazda dealer site where you saw this information. I'm interested in knowing about the "detailed to showroom quality" - if I could get this directly from the webite that would be great. I scratched my Mazda5 the first few days I had it and they told me it would cost $500 to repair. Would this be covered, do you think? They still have my car after 5 weeks.

Mazda will only allow up to $75 for the detail so $500 would be out of the park on that. It is possible that they could goodwill due to the fact that you have been without your 5 for so long.

How do you guys feel about your local lemon law? In KY there is a 30 day section that says if your car is out of use for 30 days that you can file and either return the car for a full refund or get another car of equal value.

I just wanted to see if anyone has thought about this type of action. Thanks

Lemon Law? No way, I love this car, unless you get the new R-Cass with the same concept there is NO other car like it (and have the money for it). I would not give it up for the world. It uses the same motor in as the Mazda3. That is a damn good motor.... NO way I would do that, but hey if your not happy this is America, you can do what every you want. This whole issue was a driver issue anyway not a car defect, Mazda was just being careful and responsible to get the cars off the road before someone was dumb enough to go 65mph in second gear again and get hurt. In America we have to protect the "stupid", on lighter fluid it says "Don't Drink", on rat poison it says "Don't Swallow" on coffee cups at McDonalds is say "HOT". So here they put on a shield so if you do, the car won't catch on fire. WHATEVER..... I like the car and am VERY HAPPY.

I agree that the car/van/suv is very nice and I do like it I just hope that we dont have more issues like this and me be without my 5 for weeks. You are right that in america we have to clearly state everything for the stupid and I can see why Mazda wanted to fix the issue. I was just wondering if other people had thought of using the lemon law. Thanks for the reply.

Lemon Law:

I have considered this for one reason only...and that is how the value of the vehicle will be impacted by this recall, regardless of what repairs were made.

I am not going to be keeping mine for long (transferring out of the country)...I found out after I bought the car...so I do not want to be stuck trying to unload a car with a bad rap.

Not sure what I will do yet.

[edit] I should say that I absolutely love the vehicle...to be honest, having to leave the country is no big deal...selling the house and all that goes with it...but the thing that makes me most sad (regarding things anyway) is that I have to give up this awesome car.[edit]

I am glad too that they pulled all the cars off the road, the car is for my wife and kids and I know how she drives While talking on a cell phone, getting the kids to stop fighting, changing the radio station and so on, I can see it now. I get the call... honey the car is smoking...... Then when I am done yelling at her... I would go after Mazda like any one else. I am glad Mazda put on the shield, but I wonder if in the manual if I redline and a blow the motor if they will recall it and put a limiter on it and give me a new one for free!!! (what's the difference?)

guys. need help with mounting this fancy key on a key chain.its very awkward.did you get any instruction on that.looks like japs didnt do good job on that. help:eek:

Got my 6 back

$2800 in rental charges for 57 days[:-]
Glad I didnt pay that

They detailed the car, gave me a full tank of gas and appologized like 50 times.

I havent noticed anything diffrent on its driving ability / shifting.

I got mine back last week too...and it was over $2k in rental charges as well (Mazda paid).

I hear you on that key! I felt like I was breaking my fingers trying to get a key ring in it so I could attach my other keys.

Has anyone got the $500 yet? I have had myine back for a couple weeks now.

Hello together. The problem with the exhaust is not known in Germany! I have gone by my car already 5000 miles . without problems

Finally got my "5" back today[sm=massbounce.gif]
On the work sheet it stated they reprogramed my PCM
Does Babyhuey or someone know what this is and what it does?[sm=dontgetit.gif]

Thanks in advance
Rob

Reprograming the PCM means that the way in which your engine computer responds to different inputs has been changed to accomplish some different result. In the case of your 5, it may mean that the computer will not allow high RPM for extended periods or it may change mixture and timing during the high RPM period to reduce exhaust temperatures. Mazda was not specific as usual about exactly what the reprogramming was to accomplish. During the fuel tank recall on the RX8 there was a list of some of the parameters that were changed to keep exhaust from overheating but this info was not provided on the 5 recall. You will probably not even notice the difference if the way it drives or shifts. The reprogram is much the same as if you went to the Microsoft website and downloaded a security fix for your home computer.

Your key fob should have come with a 1/2" diameter key ring already on it. You will have to attach that small ring to any other key rings you want to use. Trying to force a ring any larger that 1/2 inch in diameter onto the fob attaching point could end up breaking the fob. I know it sounds ridiculous but design engineers get paid to think this stuff up all the time. [sm=icon_beat.gif]

Yes, it did come with a ring already attached...but adding anything to that ring is obnoxious beyond belief due to the tight space through which the ring passes.

We received our 500$ check yesterday! And the % is still running very well!

Bye!

I'm really interested in this. I'll be calling the dealer tomorrow! My Mazda5 will be 2 years old in 2 wks - it's got 43,000 miles & I haven't heard a thing! My inly complaint has been the breaks at highway speeds.

This is a nearly 3 year old thread. If your vehicle was built after the dates listed here in the thread, yours shouldn't be an affected unit.