I bought the car late 2008, it is 2006 rx8 - 6spd (produced late 2005)

I am trying to figure out what recalls have been done to it, or which I am eligible for – but can’t find any info. I have signed up on mazdausa site and it says: “There are no recalls on your vehicle.” - but I am skeptical that MSP16 was done to it since that recall came out late 2008 (I believe).
Also it seems that most people do not get notice for recalls if they do exist.

I just want to perform any recalls I am eligible for – that do not require me paying – I do not have any warranty on a car.

 

Get your VIN# and call Mazda USA 1-800-222-5500

 

I just called about my 06. They said I only needed MSP13 (Gas Cap recall). I looked up MSP16 though and my vehicle is definitely in the range of Vin#'s. I am going to print out the MSP16 and carry to dealer to verify the flash on my ecu since there is no sticker on the hood showing a reflash has been done yet.

 

Yes, my VIN also falls under cars that need the update, i replaced the hood, so who knows about the sticker ...

I am just afraid that dealer will just brush me off on the phone, and it is 1.5h drive for me to just try to get them print out service history.

Also does any one know if sun visor falls under recall - mine split (on driver side)

 

No recall for the visor.

 

dont call the dealer... call Mazda ,if you are in the US the number is 1-800-222-5500

or just sign up at the owners website http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...ersHome.action once your vin is entered their it will let you know if there are any outstanding recalls.

 

Was MSP16 really a recall though? I thought it was just a TSB?

 

All recalls need a TSB anyway. That's the paperwork mechanism for declaring issues and defects.

 

MSP16 was definitely a recall. Users were (supposed to be) notified in a letter to bring their car in.
TSBs are only instructions for the service department to explain how to handle / fix common issues. They are done for free when the car is under warranty and the problem surfaces. However owners have to pay for the procedure if they are out of warranty.
MSP16 did have a corresponding TSB of course explaining what needs to be done during the recall.

What I'm not 100% certain about is that if the MazdaUSA owner's web page claims there is no recall for a given VIN, is it sure that this is a correct information? One would hope so, but...

 

MSP16 is a Mazda Special Program (MSP) and therefore they're required to do it.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) are on a case by case basis. They're not recalls.

Emission Recall 4206F was "voluntary", but required to be done if requested.

MSP16 and 4206F are typically required precursors to "lack of power" [low compression] complaints, and thereby potential engine replacement.

"All this has happened before and will happen again." -BSG

 

MSP16 is a recall. Just like 4206f

 

I actually called Mazda USA on this one and they did NOT say my car needed this recall done. I purchased the vehicle 3 weeks ago. Is there any way I can verify that it has already been done?

 

Enclosed

 

There should have been a sticker applied that will tell you (see pdf above for location). But, sometimes for what ever reason, it didn't get done. You can setup a mymazda account on www.mazdausa.com and look at the service history. Or, you can go to the service dept. of your Mazda dealer and request a printout of the cars service history.

 

Stickers are 90% of the time not there. If Mazda says an MSP was done then it was closed in the system by a dealer so is more than likely done. There are monetary incentives/penalties for the dealers to do them correctly.

TSB = Technical Service Bulletin. These are sent out as a way for Techs to more easily diagnose and find fixes for issues an owner might experience. They are not mandatory. Your vehicle must exhibit a problem that the TSB could fix.


MSP = Mazda Special Program. These are issued by Mazda when they want a problem fixed that doesnt meet the criteria for a Recall. MSPs must be performed on every Mazda vehicle meeting the make/model/vin range requirements even stock the dealer hasnt sold yet. Even if the vehicle hasnt yet experienced the particular issue. These are not Recalls as they aren't required by Federal Law.


Recall = a safety concern has been identified by Mazda and the NHTSA (or safety regulatory body of other countries) which requires a fix by law. The steps for a Recall are spelled out in NHTSA regulations. They involve notification and compliance requirements.

 

Again, 4206F was a "voluntary recall" as it was emissions related and not safety.

MSP16 was mandatory. I have a sticker, so in this context I guess I'm a "10%-er."

 

a Recall - either forced by the NHTSA or volunteered by the manufacturer- Has required fixes that must be done. Federal Law requires the repairs be done once a recall has been announced.

4206f was a Recall. Once it was announced and filed with the NHTSA all dealers were required by Federal Law to perform the fixes.


MSP16- Like all MSPS, contains fixes that the dealers are required to carry out. Required by MAZDA not by LAW.

 

Voluntary.

 

yes voluntary in the fact that they went to the NHTSA and said " we'd like to do a recall for this"

once it was filed with the NHTSA it became a MANDATORY recall just like any other with repairs needed to be done according to the recall.

as stated in the letter in many cases a specific certificate of completion must go with the vehicle or the dealer could be facing stiff fines.

 

OK My local dealer Gem Mazda pulled the service records and scheduled the update. No hassles, they said take a couple hours max and they are replacing gas cap(the other recall).

 

I've got a picture of the sticker around here somewhere I can post up if it'd be helpful... in my noobness I remember finding it wondering WTF is this?

 

I never got any stickers.

out of the 5 million time I've been to dealership, still no stickers.

Damn, I just lost 15 hp from the lack of stickers !

 

shortly after buying my rx8 used i contacted the mazda USA customer line to ask about this because i had no sticker. dude on the phone told me it is not a recall, not required, and wont be performed by a dealership unless my car is specifically displaying problem symptoms. he said i would have to take it to the dealership, pay $100 for them to check it out/test and if there was a problem they would do it if necessary. lame

 

I never got a sticker. I never got a recall notice for MSP16. When I showed the TSB to my service advisor and asked if it had been done, he checked and said no. He recommended it be done, and did it on the spot.

I did get postcards about 4206f (several, in fact, including a couple after it was done) and MSP13. No stickers.

My understanding about voluntary recalls is that a manufacturer will institute it themselves when the handwriting on the wall is clear that the feds will eventually order it if they don't. Kind of like enlisting instead of waiting to be drafted.

Ken

 

That's what I got from Mazda USA as well over the phone, but the dealer said I needed it and scheduled it ASAP without any fee's. Sounds like Mazda USA needs to get their story straight, and tell people it IS a recall.