I had mine done yesterday and was kind of nervous because my damper didn't make noise and looking at the TSB it looked kinda complicated. The mechanic seemed to do a good job however and the only downside was having to drive the car home in the snow we had yesterday(that was scary). They did not stick the recall fix stickers on the hood like the TSB mentions... does that matter?

 

I had both my recalls done as well, and I never had any noises or problems. I didn't notice a thing. It's like they took my car for the day, and I got it back same way I left it, so I guess that's good. I nevwer checked my hood to see if I have any stickers, but it doesn't matter because your vin number is stored in as recalled, so it really means nothing.

 

Mine went nice and smooth. It only took a couple of hours and you can't even tell they did anything. Which is good, I think.

 

The car was perfect before the recall, and perfect after it....Couldn't tell the difference in anything. It took like 2 hours to do it all.

 

I had mine done a week ago. I was not very impressed with the dealer. They told me to bring the car in with as little gas in the tank as possible. So I drove it in on fumes, only to have them tell me that it was not necessary. The check engine light was on too and he told me they would need at least 1/4 tank of gas to test the car. I said just put in gas and I would pay for it. I also asked them to change the oil under the free maintenance since I flooded the car badly the week before. I had just changed the oil myself a week before it flooded.

I got the car back and the recalls were done with no noticeable change. They turned off the check engine light and said it was a "cat efficency" code. This is no doubt due the huge amount of gas and smoke that poured through the thing when I was trying to start it after the flood. They also did not put gas in it and it was way below empty. First stop was a gas station.

After they sent me on my way and I went back to my office, 1/2 hour away. As soon as I got back they called to say they had my registration, they had attached it to the wrong work order. I had to drive back again the next day to get it.

This is my second Mazda dealer. The first one ripped me off for $300 after the car flooded the first time and I had it towed in. This time the dealer just didn't seem very competent.

Even though I have free service, I am going to continue to do it myself. I just don't trust these guys. I also have a VW and I have been impressed with the dealer near my office. Mazda needs to work with their dealers to improve the quality or they are always going to remain a small fry in the US.

 

your cat may be damaged apparently that is one of the side effects of flooding according to the TSB. I would ask them to replace it if the light comes on again.

 

Thanks for the cat advice. I have not driven the car much since the repair. The weather has been poor (snowing today). If it comes on again, I will speak with them about it.

 

Totally unrelated to the actual recalls, but when the dealer pulled to glovebox to replace the airbag harness, they snapped the plastic hook that connects the glovebox to the "glovebox strut" that allows it to lower slowly. Now when I open the glovebox, it just drops. The funny thing is that they don't even have a name for this part. I'll leave it to them to get the proper part ordered.

 

there is actually a warning on the TSB about being careful with that piece. I guess the mechanic didn't read that page.

 

looks like they broke the piece on mine too. it does the same thing now.

 

its called a stay damper part #FE01-64-08XB


http://www.finishlineperformance.com...bag_recall.htm

 

great info. if they screw up ordering the part, i'll have this in hand. thanks.

 

It must be nice to have gotten the notices, I have yet to receive any of them and my VIN falls within the range.

 

My local dealer has about 30 RX-8s on the lot. I’d like to think they’re getting a lot of recall work practice on these cars. The reality is that they probably don’t do the recall work until the pre-delivery checkout. Anyone think differently?

 

I think they had to do the recalls on every vehicle on the lot as soon as the recall was announced. It said something about making sure every vehicle on the lot had it done before they could sell any more, on the TSB.

 

Elara, literally, you're right.

If Mazda says get it done right away, they've covered their backs, but I doubt the dealership shut down the service department for 2 days to get it done.

 

On another thread, I reported having done the recall without incident and getting my ecu reflashed in the process. BUT, someone mentioned about how the glovebox damper was undone by the airbag repair. I hadn't checked mine after leaving the dealer (I had emptied before i left it with them knowing that it would be removed, again, thanks to this forum). So, I just checked it and sho nuf, the damper is no longer functioning. there is a plastic piece on the right side of the box (can be seen and felt) and it's lose. I called my friendly service tech and he said they'll fix it tomorrow when I come by there. He seems to think it's just not properly "snapped" back in place rather than broken. We'll see tomorrow.

 

I had no problems with my dealership on the matter. I talked with the technician that day and expressed my concern of them tearing up my center console. I was told they had figured out a short cut to installing the recall from underneath, so that made me happy. I also got the new "L" reflash and new spark plugs for my misfires and poor gas milage. Only bad side was that they kept my baby for two days and I got a nissan sentra as a rental.

 

Oooh - I thought the dealer had done so well this time- but I just went to the garage to check my glove box and they broke my stay damper also.

 

Damn them. I read about the glove box damper, and i dredded going out to garage. Sure enough, they broke mine too. What makes me sick is the fact that it says use care, then it says order replacement if you break it. Nice of them to just ignore it, and think I wouldn't notice. I think I'll be making a phone call to them in the very near future.

 

I called them up. They said to make appointment to bring car down, and they'd have a look to see if they in fact broke it. I told them I did the research with help of internet, and they 100% did it. Finally, he ordered part, and said he'll call me when it gets in. Still a hassle to go down to dealership for their own stupidity and dishonesty, but what can you do. This serves as a good thread for those awaiting to take their cars in. LET THEM KNOW ABOUT DAMPER, AND TELL THEM NOT TO BREAK IT. Odds are they will not say anything. Good luck!!

 

Anyone thinking about taking the glove box out before giving it to the dealer?

 

or just disconnect the damper before bringing it in.

 

Uuugg, I wish I read this thread BEFORE I took my car in today. It's there now. At least I'll know to check the glovebox.

What a PITA.

 

Would you mind disclosing those two dealers? Perhaps by PM'ing me? I just got my car and I'm wondering which dealership I should take my car for its first service.