CEL - Saga does not end
 

I've owned the car now 1 week shy of two months. The RX-8 is fun to drive. But, the problems are inexcusable. So far, my experience with Mazda Service has been awful. On my first day of ownership, the Accessory Shock Sensor was freaking out. I took it in as soon as the Service Department opened. They said that they would have to order a new one. Later, I discovered a Service Bulletin issued on September 29 that said it should not be installed or sold to customers. They charged me about $500 for something they are not allowed to sell me! And get this, they still have not refunded my money.

On the very next day, the CEL comes on solid. I’m back in the Service Department not more than 15 hours after my previous visit. They talk to me about a gas gap. I tell them I have not driven far enough to need gas yet. Their Sales office filled the tank. They take it in. I take a rental car. Later, they tell me it was a loose wire. I pick up the car. I take it home, then to work the next day. Guess what. Yes, the CEL goes on again on as soon as I start the car for my drive home. I don't have time to deal with this. I wait a couple of days and then take it back to the Service Department. This time, they kept my RX-8 for 5 days. The cause they tell me is the PCM. They have to order a new one.

I wait. I wait. I wait. I call every week for status. I do my own research, including the RX8Club (the best resource I have found). I find a Service Bulletin issued on November 7 regarding the CEL. That is it. I call my Service Department on Nov 12. They do not even know about it and have to call me back. On call back, they tell me yes that should fix my problem. But, they have a problem. They tell me they do not have the software on their computer to reprogram my PCM. The Service Guy actually tells me that 66,000 RX-8 are reporting this problem, that sales are down, and that CEL is coming on during the test drives. I call Mazda Customer Service (800) 222-5500. I open a case. They say we will send you Mazda dollars for your trouble. I wait. I wait. I wait.

My car has almost 1700 miles on it, and only about 30 of those miles have been without the CEL on. I do not have Mazda dollars for my troubles. I do not have a refund on the charge for an option they were not allowed to sell me. I have contacted a Lemon Law attorney. I am considering taking it to a different dealer for one more service. If they cannot fix it, then I qualified my yellow RX-8 as a Lemon. I am sad. It is a fun car to drive when you ignore the problems.

Sounds like bad luck to me, coupled with a retarded dealership.

Proud owner of RX-8 since mid July with 11500 miles.

Zeltar, I would be just as angry as you if the same thing happened to me. Clearly your dealership is inept and has prolonged your issues well past due. And you seem to have gotten a car with a few of the early issues/bugs. Sorry about your circumstance, I appreciate hearing your feedback in the calm manner in which you presented it.

I have 7,500 miles on my sub 3000 series VIN car and it's running strong. I've had the "rotor click when turning" issue, which was resolved. And a new oil pan and sensor on order even though I've only encountered the low oil light issue once (I don't keep my oil that low to have it come on).

The problems don' t scare me. I had one of the first 300ZX cars that rolled off the line (1990 model) and it had at least a dozen problems in the first year. But, in that case, Nissan addressed every issue and none reoccured. In some cases, I had issues before any service notices and they made me pay for it... only later to get the recall and a nice check in the mail. That dealer cared.

I think if I could find more evidence of the PCM problem on the boards, I would believe the service department. The more I read, the more I think you're right - they are enept. Guess I'll try and locate another dealer in the area. I'm tired of seeing the CEL warning light.

I had cel come on three times
took car to dealer to have ecu flashed and it hasn't come back yet

Re: CEL - Saga does not end
 

I would not let a service department this inept work on my car.

Also, there is something seriously wrong with the stuff your service guy told you. Are there actually 66,000 RX-8's that have been sold? Sounds a bit weird to me.

I thought that weird too. But what I found more disturbing is the guy was telling me about a car he owned of which he also had the CEL problem. He said he'd driven it for years (I don't recall, but I remember is was more than a decade) that way. It was like he was telling me to "live with it".

The lawyer tells me they'll take the case with no charges to me. And, all I need to do is take it in one more time and let them fail. But, the dealer doesn't want to see me again until they have a fix. So, must find another dealer.

If I use the CA Lemon Law, do I then get another RX-8? Or, seek out something else? I moved from a 300ZX to this. Tried Saab, BMW, and Volvo... and they all felt relatively weak in comparison. Only the RX-8 felt more substantial. Want 4 seats (<--- did I just say that - wow! - Family changes things).

Zeltar
Sorry to hear of your misfortunes with your 8
I had similar frustrations with mine for about 5 weeks.
I heard the same "lines" from the service advisors.
But, I believe that the car is worth the efforts put forth to remedy the problem. For mine the final fix was the replacement of the upper intake as it was leaking. Since that repair it's been fine and it now seems to get 22mpg (as apposed to 15). My question is what dealer is giving you the runaround????? Just currious.
Hope you find a competent dealer for servicing 'cause this is a car like no other (for now) ha ha
Regards

The dealer is Irvine Mazda. Went surfing for some recommendations. Looks like a few people like Tustin Mazda. Just, can't seem to find an address on the Web. I imagine it's in the Tustin Auto Center, so may just cruise by there.

Someone, maybe you, posted the intake manifold story on another thread. Of course, I'm interested in how they determined that. Glad they found it. Thought I'd bring it up at the dealer, but then also thinking that there are about a hundred things that would trigger the CEL.

If I can find a good dealer, I'll probably give them 2 more times to try and fix this. The rest of the car is great. Even gets decent mileage (18 to 23.5).

Do you have enough down time to make a lemon law claim?

If you do, I wouldn't even wait to pass go. Dump it and get an 8 with an October build.

Really.

Vince

Zeltar,

I have the same problem with CEL. My recurrent CEL code is related to the evap system, but is not the same code listed in the TSB. I have been told by both the dealer and Mazda customer service that a reprogram is needed and currently being worked on, however I was told it would be available 8 weeks ago. My light has been on since delivery (with the exception of the first 30-40 miles.)

The dealer currently has my car for the 3rd time for CEL. They are trying to install a valve which is supposed to prevent the CEL from triggering, until the reprogram is available. Sounds like BS to me.

The car is awesome, peformance and gas mileage not an issue, but this CEL business is frustrating. Perhaps I should also look into the lemon law.

Lemon Law that bad boy and get an 8 with a later build date. I love my rotaries, but I refuse to make excuses for Mazda. They need to support their flagship product just a bit better. Good luck.

"66,000 RX-8 are reporting this problem"? WTF? As far as I know, fewer than half that number are even manufactured, much less on the road "reporting" problems.

Secondly, for some bizarre reason they are unaware of TSBs until you rub their noses in it?

Where is this wonderful dealership?

Doesn't sound like there's necessarily anything terribly wrong with the vehicle. If you like it aside from the CEL, I'd say try to find a competent dealership and get it resolved rather than giving your crackpot dealer another "chance" to screw up just so you can trigger the lemon law. I wouldn't let them near my car again.

I'm currently going through the same problem. Third time back to the dealer with the recurring CEL light. How does one go about making a lemon claim?

I know the sources of the CEL can be many. In my case it was a stuck thermostat. Maybe you should ask them about that, since they seem to be fishing for a solution.

Well now... I've taken the RX-8 to a different Dealer Service Dept. Very helpful. They actually let me go back into the garage and talk to the mechanic. Found that the battery was putting out only 12.4 volts. They replaced. Hope this works.

I just can't fricking believe the original dealer kept me on hold with an "I don't know" for 2 months for a battery! I'll report back if the fix fails.

I started an earlier thread about my CEL light and shared the same problem as Zeltar with the constant going back to the dealer. I got a call today and they told me that the Mazda hotline told them to start the engine cold and then check if there was COOLANT on the SPARK PLUGS. Apparently, there was. So now they're going to have replace the engine. WTF, only after 1,100 miles. I asked them if I was the only one that had this problem at the dealership and the mechanic said it was the first one that had a problem with coolant. My question is when the engine is replaced, will that fix the coolant problem? Anybody know? I'm seriously considering making a lemon claim.

that blows
I think two others had the engine replaced

To date...12/5/2003...there have only been ~28,000 RX-8s manufactured...that 66,000 statement by a dealer is inexcusable...what are they? a Subaru dealer that has a Mazda resale license?

JaChTsai, I was reading some of your posts. I'm feeling your pain. My CEL light actually remained "off" yesterday after picking it up from the dealer. I drove it around a bunch last night. This is the longest it's stayed off. So, I hope it was the battery.

In California, during the first 18 months or 18000 miles (which ever comes first), you need to give the dealer the opportunity to repair the problem 4 times OR have the car out of services (for whatever reason service related reason) over 30 days. For my situation, if the CEL comes on one more time in the next 16 months, the Lemon law is triggered under the 4 opportunities clause.

Zeltar, I hope this takes care of the problem. Just goes to show there is a HUGE difference from dealer to dealer. Best of luck to you!

Thanks Zeltar. If the CEL light comes back on for the 4th time, what steps are you going to take? Do you call Mazda corporate and tell them your car is a lemon? Or do you get yourself a lemon law attorney?

As a courtesy, I'll add to my Case number opened at Mazda corporate.

To protect myself, I searched the web and found www.lemonauto.com (Consumer Legal Services). Filled out the online form. They followed up with a phone call to me. I have collected all the documentation necessary. No charges to me at anytime through the case. All attorney fees are billed to Mazda. This is what Consumer Legal Services needs to evaluate your Lemon Law case:
1) ALL repair orders (not just the ones related to CEL)
2) Sales, Financing or Lease Contract
3) Extended warranty (if applicable)
4) Title or Registration

Assuming your case triggered the law, they will file papers. It's really clear cut - you either qualify and have a lemon, or you don't.

Ironically, when the Sales Person followed up with me to see how satisfied I was enjoying the car, and then heard my story, not only did she talk to the Service Dept (and got no farther than I with the enept), she also told me to protect myself and open the case at Mazda (and save all documentation if you need to file as a Lemon). I've bought new cars before - none have ever talked of the lemon law upfront.

So... if the light stays off... Great! If the CEL goes back on... So be it. It just changes who I talk to in order to resolve the issues.

You jerk, what is this link to???

Hit cancel or the "X" and don't go to his link anymore. Some clown got banned lastnight from the server and he is back again.. Time to send the Mods another update....