Northeast dealer recall thread
 

Hi All,

I figured we should have a thread to discuss the experiences with specific dealer's with regard to the "big recall". We can see who really gives the "white glvoe treatment" promised by mazda and help people choose the right dealer to take thier 8 for the major repair if neccessary.

I have an appointment with Brandywine Mazda on 202 in southeast PA this friday to get my melted visor fixed and also have te recall tests performed. I'm also new to the north delaware/southeast PA area, so if anyone has a better dealer reccomendation, please share.

In addition, I did use to go to Wellesley Mazda in Mass, and almost always got a "white glove" treatment, regardless of my concern. I fear my expectations for other mazda dealers might have been set too high ;)

Wellesley making note of them. I'm waiting for my letter to come in before finding a dealer to make the apointment. I got treated nicely last time I went to my dealer after they realized I wasnt speaking b.s. and neither was this website about the recall (got both tail lights replaced WooT!) but the bad taste is still in my mouth about it all. That and I figure if I go to a different dealer it will force their hand to give me a loaner for the day haha.

I go to Wellesley Mazda as well. They take good care of the 8. So far no complaints about them!

I haven't gotten anything in the mail yet other than an extended warranty to 5yrs. 60k on the drivetrain courtesty of Mazda. This whole thing is making me nervous, I just got my 8 in July. :(

Mazda North America told me that the first batch of recall letters went out to warmer climates and that it will take a few weeks for the rest of the letters to go out. They also said that you don't have to wait for the letter. The dealer should be able to check your eligibility by running the VIN number so in principle a call to your local service department should tell you what you need to know.

I have heard they go out tomorrow, the 15th.

I tried last week to get in for a recall and they coudln't do anything because the computer system wouldn't let them in to say the recall work was performed on my vin. If its not available, they can't update the status of the recall.

Tried this through three dealerships (2 in RI and one in MA) and no go... can't bring them in yet.

--kC

Please be advised:
The old phrase, "don't fix something that is not broken" applies!

If you have received the warranty extension and the recall letter, you may want to consider the following.

If you have a Mazda dealer perform the recall inspections and they do not find any issues other then the PCM recalibration and you have engine issues later, the recall may not apply to your car. If you do not have more then 25,000 miles on your car, you should potentially wait until there is an issue with your engine.

Please be advised to inform any dealer that does service work on your car to NOT PERFORM these recall inspections until you authorize the tests to be performed. This may enhance your position later if you have engine failure issues under the warranty.

Please inform as many RX-8 owners as you can to consider this!

RW

Paranoia will destroy ya.

Dunno what line of work you're in, but in my line of work (large drilling and mining equipment) - if we recall a piece of equipment in order to update something so that it won't fail (like changing the ECM calibration), and you refuse to let us update the equipment, we'll void your warranty, since you've consciously chosen to not be in compliance with the manufacturer's design update. You wanna run it that way? Fine by us... but don't come crying when it blows up, 'cause we tried to change the cal to prevent that and you thought you knew better than we did.

If your engine fails under warranty, you'll be covered. If you have the recall work done and the tests performed and then the engine later fails due to low compression, my guess is that you'll be covered. Low compression due to insufficient lubrication of the apex seals is pretty easy to spot on a teardown, and the symptoms don't look anything like a sudden loss of compression due to detonation or anything else. If you've got oil in the sump and low compression, my guess is Mazda is going to cover you, regardless of whether the symptoms turn up at 10k or 50k, or whether you've had the recall work performed previously or not

But then again, believe what you want. It's not paranoia if they really are out to get you, right?
:rock:

Ireceived my letter last week. I was in at my local dealer for an oil change in the CX-7 and they are ready for the recall process. I made an appt for next week to have my 8 checked. As far as I know, I'll just get the pcm reflashed and verify all other tsb's are complete. I do not have any issue with loss of power or low idle.

I'll report back as to what they find with my 8 after bringing it in next Friday.

My original post was a suggestion that I posted moments after a conversation with a Mazda representative. However, you do not have to agree with my suggestions. Please consider your car, your position and your mileage.
I believe everyone is entitled to consider all of the variables.
The words I used in my post were all words that were spoken to me by a Mazda representative.

I own a very low mileage 2005 and I was advised not to make a special trip to the dealer to get this recall performed for the reasons given in my original post.

Please consider the variables with your car, your confidence with your dealer and most of all your personal preference.

This Mazda rep should understand that the re-flash that is part of the recall needs to be performed on the car for appropriate oil metering. Saying not to go in for the recall is absurd.

--kC

I would love to hear how Brandywine treats you. I bought mine from Heritage Mazda in Bel Air, MD but have had all my service done at Brandywine Mazda. I have had past problems with the engine power loss and stalling, I have brought it to them several times for that and they have documented it. However when I brought up that it sounds as I need a replacement engine the tone changed. I will give them the benefit of doubt and see if they replace it as the dealer procedure states the dealer should. If they don't I am going to take it up the chain.

Other then that they have been fairly good. Just seem to treat the customer as being stupid and uneducated. I have a hard time dealing with that!

Let me know how you make out, I tried to setup my recall appointment and they will not do it until I get the letter.

Had mine done at Rosenthal of Arlington last week and it was good. Took our Mazda 3 to have it checked out and they suggested to bring the 8 in when we pick up the 3. So did that and got it back the next day. They also resurfaced the rotors. However, I did ask them to do an oil change since it was there, and they didnt. But they probably did not hear me when I asked since the guy had to take a phone call in the midst of me asking.

Dropping the 8 off at Brandywine Mazda after work today

I scheduled a recall for this Friday with Ira Mazda in Danvers, will report as to how it goes.

Dropped it off, first impression....hardly "white glove" treatment. Got a crappy rental and was just blown off when i even asked about getting a mazda. They refused to wave the gas when i asked. Im only driving 20 miles round trip but it is the point of it. I am officially the first customer to have the recall done there and i totally expect it to NOT be washed and NOT have a full tank of gas when i go to pick it up.

call MNAO

Mine goes in tomorrow and will bring the paperwork with me.

--kC

I made up two little signs, one is going over the gas cap... and one taped to the inside of the car. "DO NOT ADD GAS." Just in case the dealer doesn't get it.... I cannot have a full tank because I need 1/4 tank for nationals next week.... and the car isn't going to be driven at all between tomorrow and next Monday.... but they can still clean the interior! :)

--kC

snowrydr01, I knew that would be the case. They always brush me off as being uneducated. I called them out on this recall. As I stated in other threads that I will need a new engine according to the procedure he shrugged it off. Told me he doubts it.

I really don't have anything good to say about them. I mean, how does it take 2 hours to do an oil change when I am the only one in the station?!

Curious to see how the others go at Brandywine. Keep them comming in! I think I am going to call Mazda NA first.

Just got the call from Brandywine that its done. When i asked if it was filled and washed the girl just acted confused and told me that it was washed. I mentioned that to the best of my knowledge that the "white glove treatment" mentioned for the recal was to include the tank being full upon return of the vehicle. She called back 10 minutes later to let me know they will be filling it up.

Dropped mine off this morning at Autocenter in Middletown (close to work). Got rental Hertz Taurus. Haven't heard anything else yet.

--kC

OK, got it back. Leading spark plugs and flash. Washed outside and cleaned interior. (Remember, I specifically asked to not fill gas tank). :)

Overall, a decent experience once they had all the info.

--kC

my car got flooded saturday. towed into ira mazda. got a xA rental. they looked at it on monday. picked up today tuesday. with new starter, battery, plugs. washed outside, clean inside, cleaned windows and fill up gas. they did the recall, nothing wrong with the car. my car start right up now. the crank sounds faster. and car seems more preppy. very satisfied.

Still no letter wtf!!

I didn't have my letter yet.

--kC