BULLETIN: NHSTA Investigating 2004 RX-8 Clutch Pedal Bracket Issue
10-27-2009, 12:22 AM
#26
Here is the complaint I filed:
1. Clutch pedal felt about a 1/2" low (as if hydraulic fluid had an air pocket and needed bleeding) about two blocks before failure.
2. I was stopped at a light behind 3 cars in the right hand lane, shifted into first when the light turned green; accelerated very slowly and tried shifting to second gear but the pedal made a snapping sound and went to the floor, the engine stalled and the transmission was stuck in first until I let the car roll back a little and got it in neutral. I was stuck in a major intersection and there was gridlock, lots of honking and yelling and a few cars came very close to having accidents. I pushed my car to the edge of the intersection and waited for the tow truck. The tow truck had to have smaller pickup brought in to winch my car out of the intersection because he said it was unsafe to set up the tow right in the middle of the intersection.
3. My car was towed to my mechanic and after inspection he said it would happen again to a new pedal from Mazda. He was surprised it lasted for 60k miles. After some research I ordered a Reinforced Clutch Pedal Bracket Assembly from here: http://www.fluidmotorsports.com/p-18...cessories.aspx Turns out here are three aftermarket companies manufacturing reinforcements, Mazsport, BHR and Race Roots; each has their own design and they are selling hundreds of them because all the pedals fail in 40 - 80k miles.
1. Clutch pedal felt about a 1/2" low (as if hydraulic fluid had an air pocket and needed bleeding) about two blocks before failure.
2. I was stopped at a light behind 3 cars in the right hand lane, shifted into first when the light turned green; accelerated very slowly and tried shifting to second gear but the pedal made a snapping sound and went to the floor, the engine stalled and the transmission was stuck in first until I let the car roll back a little and got it in neutral. I was stuck in a major intersection and there was gridlock, lots of honking and yelling and a few cars came very close to having accidents. I pushed my car to the edge of the intersection and waited for the tow truck. The tow truck had to have smaller pickup brought in to winch my car out of the intersection because he said it was unsafe to set up the tow right in the middle of the intersection.
3. My car was towed to my mechanic and after inspection he said it would happen again to a new pedal from Mazda. He was surprised it lasted for 60k miles. After some research I ordered a Reinforced Clutch Pedal Bracket Assembly from here: http://www.fluidmotorsports.com/p-18...cessories.aspx Turns out here are three aftermarket companies manufacturing reinforcements, Mazsport, BHR and Race Roots; each has their own design and they are selling hundreds of them because all the pedals fail in 40 - 80k miles.
10-27-2009, 11:04 PM
#27
My 04 has 33k miles, and I've owned it since new.
10-28-2009, 01:09 AM
#28
Mine will sometimes make a 'pop' sound when first moved from either completely up or down. I was wondering what could be causing that- as it was doing it while under warranty but not consistent enough to have them look at it. If this is the clutch pedal failing issue, I sure hope the NHTSA forces a recall. That's just not cool. Manual transmission are supposed to be simpler and more reliable (when driven properly) than auto transmission vehicles.
My 04 has 33k miles, and I've owned it since new.
My 04 has 33k miles, and I've owned it since new.
10-28-2009, 06:03 PM
#29
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More info on the investigation
The following link goes right to the NHTSA ODI site. Monday, they sent a registered letter to Mazda asking for complete information regarding the issue. Good news...although it will be at least January before we find out anything for sure.
Mine broke last month, while driving
. No wreck, but it wasn't fun. Reported it to NHTSA. 56k miles on my 04.
I might wait until we hear something, or maybe I'll just get it fixed and hope for a reimbursement from Mazda.
http://nhthqnwws111.odi.nhtsa.dot.go...9045-37286.pdf
SaintJames
Tucson, AZ
Mine broke last month, while driving
. No wreck, but it wasn't fun. Reported it to NHTSA. 56k miles on my 04.I might wait until we hear something, or maybe I'll just get it fixed and hope for a reimbursement from Mazda.
http://nhthqnwws111.odi.nhtsa.dot.go...9045-37286.pdf
SaintJames
Tucson, AZ
Last edited by SaintJames; 10-28-2009 at 06:06 PM.
11-05-2009, 05:03 AM
#33
11-05-2009, 09:03 AM
#37
I welded 4 clutch pedals for locals here... we read about the problem and since I work at a metal fab shop, seemed like a no brainer to weld them up last winter. So far, no clutch breaks!
This is clearly a poor design though.
Anyone know if the '09 pedals addressed this problem?
This is clearly a poor design though.
Anyone know if the '09 pedals addressed this problem?
12-23-2009, 09:14 AM
#43
Mazda Hotline said that? Or Dealership?
Either way, If its Hotline, tell them that they're full of **** and show them NHTSA's web site. and ask to speak to their supervisor. Cuz this is WELL KNOWN.
If its dealership, tell them to stop trying to rip customers off everyday and read some god damn news for @#$)*@#'s sake.
Anyway, the bracket itself cost hundred something bux, installing it takes about 5-10 minutes.
12-23-2009, 09:18 AM
#44
You could print out one of the articles in the first few post of this thread to show to the stealership. They will surely still claim to have never heard of the problem (even after you show it to them).
You will likely have to eat the cost of this (at least for now). Save your reciepts so that you can be sure to get at least some of your money back when Mazdas finally admits there is a problem. Good luck.
Edit: When you do buy a new clutch bracket, buy from one of the vendors here. Much better than giving your money to the dealership.
You will likely have to eat the cost of this (at least for now). Save your reciepts so that you can be sure to get at least some of your money back when Mazdas finally admits there is a problem. Good luck.
Edit: When you do buy a new clutch bracket, buy from one of the vendors here. Much better than giving your money to the dealership.
Last edited by Solidtrance; 12-23-2009 at 09:29 AM.
02-25-2010, 08:54 AM
#47
Yes, I was curious about this with all the scrutiny that toyota is going through for their pedal designs and such, you figure they might be looking at this investigation a little more closely...
But then again, you haven't heard of people wrecking their RX8s because of this issue either,
But then again, you haven't heard of people wrecking their RX8s because of this issue either,
02-28-2010, 08:52 AM
#49
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Mine colapsed last week. Actually sick of this ride! Security system shutting down my car so it won't start, power steering works one day not the next, flooding!!!!
It's been parked in my shop, even pulled the insurance.
So pull it take pix's fix it sell it for me.
Sure is fun to drive when they work right!
I'll fill complaint also.
It's been parked in my shop, even pulled the insurance.
So pull it take pix's fix it sell it for me.
Sure is fun to drive when they work right!
I'll fill complaint also.