"Mazda expects to recall RX-8s"
08-21-2006 | 10:46 AM
#1
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From: Washington State
"Mazda expects to recall RX-8s"
I did a quick search and didn't find anything related this possible recall, so I appologize if this is a repost.
I only get a preview of the news, so I don't have access to the full artitcle, but this is what Automotive News says:
"Mazda expects to recall RX-8s
Automaker: Engines failing vacuum test must be replaced
After suffering a black eye from disclosing that it won't count RX-8 owners' opinions in its internal customer-satisfaction scores, Mazda says it may have to replace the engines in many of its flagship sports cars."
Automotive News
Autoblog report on recall http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/m...call-the-rx-8/
mod edit autobytel video news with recall story http://www.autobytel.com/content/res...0146&vcat=News
from Automotive news
RX-8 engine problems go round and round
Edward Lapham | | Automotive News / August 24, 2006 - 11:51 am
Advertisement
The much-anticipated recall of Mazda RX-8s to replace faulty rotary engines will be a mixed bag for dealers and owners.
There's the whole question of sincerity. Since the problem dates back to 2004 models -- as documented by owner and dealer complaints -- you have to wonder what took so long.
What did Mazda engineers know, and when did they know it?
You would think it's obvious when engine oil leaks are destroying a car's catalyst, especially since the integrity of engine seals has been an issue for rotary engines dating back to the days of Felix Wankel.
By the time Mazda's brass ruled that dealers wouldn't be marked down on customer-satisfaction surveys because of bellyaching by RX-8 owners, there was no alternative.
Still, Mazda execs seem to have responded marginally better than their counterparts at Toyota, who immediately blamed the customer for engine sludge problems that put 3.3 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles at risk for engine failure. Toyota extended engine warranties under certain circumstances, while Mazda will replace any engine that fails a vacuum test at the dealership.
Way to bond
Dealing with issues in a timely, forthright and equitable manner is a good way to bond with customers.
Remember when hundreds of early Saturn engines were ruined at the factory because of bad antifreeze? If the engine was bad, Saturn replaced the whole car. It became a case study -- as well as something of a legend -- for over-the-top customer relationships.
But face it, the RX-8 is not some milquetoast sedan. No, the RX-8 is a powerful, throbbing sports car that's propelled by the wondrous Wankel engine. RX-8s are owned and driven by enthusiasts, not by simple consumers who hate cars but like to be treated well at the dealership.
So what?
Here's the issue: Many enthusiasts, especially collectors, like to keep their cars original, making sure that all the numbers match. That pretty much is ruined if you start yanking engines and replacing them *****-nilly.
Worse, Mazda says it intends to rebuild the faulty engines and put them back in service.
Heartache on horizon
Can you imagine the heartache that will cause when collectors want to sell their cars or just prove their pedigrees?
The written descriptions saying that the numbers match will need an asterisk, just like the home-run totals of Roger Maris, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds.
Mazda may find out that it's one thing to want to make things right with your owners and quite another to accomplish it.
After all, even RX-8 drivers know which road is paved with good intentions.
You may e-mail Edward Lapham at elapham@crain.com
I only get a preview of the news, so I don't have access to the full artitcle, but this is what Automotive News says:
"Mazda expects to recall RX-8s
Automaker: Engines failing vacuum test must be replaced
After suffering a black eye from disclosing that it won't count RX-8 owners' opinions in its internal customer-satisfaction scores, Mazda says it may have to replace the engines in many of its flagship sports cars."
Automotive News
Autoblog report on recall http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/m...call-the-rx-8/
mod edit autobytel video news with recall story http://www.autobytel.com/content/res...0146&vcat=News
from Automotive news
RX-8 engine problems go round and round
Edward Lapham | | Automotive News / August 24, 2006 - 11:51 am
Advertisement
The much-anticipated recall of Mazda RX-8s to replace faulty rotary engines will be a mixed bag for dealers and owners.
There's the whole question of sincerity. Since the problem dates back to 2004 models -- as documented by owner and dealer complaints -- you have to wonder what took so long.
What did Mazda engineers know, and when did they know it?
You would think it's obvious when engine oil leaks are destroying a car's catalyst, especially since the integrity of engine seals has been an issue for rotary engines dating back to the days of Felix Wankel.
By the time Mazda's brass ruled that dealers wouldn't be marked down on customer-satisfaction surveys because of bellyaching by RX-8 owners, there was no alternative.
Still, Mazda execs seem to have responded marginally better than their counterparts at Toyota, who immediately blamed the customer for engine sludge problems that put 3.3 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles at risk for engine failure. Toyota extended engine warranties under certain circumstances, while Mazda will replace any engine that fails a vacuum test at the dealership.
Way to bond
Dealing with issues in a timely, forthright and equitable manner is a good way to bond with customers.
Remember when hundreds of early Saturn engines were ruined at the factory because of bad antifreeze? If the engine was bad, Saturn replaced the whole car. It became a case study -- as well as something of a legend -- for over-the-top customer relationships.
But face it, the RX-8 is not some milquetoast sedan. No, the RX-8 is a powerful, throbbing sports car that's propelled by the wondrous Wankel engine. RX-8s are owned and driven by enthusiasts, not by simple consumers who hate cars but like to be treated well at the dealership.
So what?
Here's the issue: Many enthusiasts, especially collectors, like to keep their cars original, making sure that all the numbers match. That pretty much is ruined if you start yanking engines and replacing them *****-nilly.
Worse, Mazda says it intends to rebuild the faulty engines and put them back in service.
Heartache on horizon
Can you imagine the heartache that will cause when collectors want to sell their cars or just prove their pedigrees?
The written descriptions saying that the numbers match will need an asterisk, just like the home-run totals of Roger Maris, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds.
Mazda may find out that it's one thing to want to make things right with your owners and quite another to accomplish it.
After all, even RX-8 drivers know which road is paved with good intentions.
You may e-mail Edward Lapham at elapham@crain.com
Last edited by T-REX; 08-21-2006 at 10:51 AM.
08-21-2006 | 10:57 AM
#5
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From: Washington State
I get a weekly update through email from a publication called Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/) I costs $100 + to join. I don't own a subscription so I can't see the full article. What I posted is all I got on the email
08-21-2006 | 11:01 AM
#7
May Cause Anal Leakage
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,191
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From: Orlando & Chicago
Here's the teaser...http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...egory=AMERICAS
bout half way down the page.
gotta have a subscription to read the rest.
bout half way down the page.
gotta have a subscription to read the rest.
08-21-2006 | 11:03 AM
#8
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Washington State
Or go to http://www.autonews.com/ and do a search for: "Mazda expects to recall RX-8s". You should see what I originally posted. At least you'll see that I'm not making this up. If you want to read the article, you'll have to subscribe
08-21-2006 | 11:03 AM
#9
1.3L is enough 4 anybody
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Suburbs
They're having a free trial this week... here's the article.
MONTEREY, Calif. -- After suffering a black eye from disclosing that it won't count RX-8 owners' opinions in its internal customer-satisfaction scores, Mazda says it may have to replace the engines in many of its flagship sports cars.
The voluntary recall of all 2004 and 2005 vehicles, and some 2006s, is expected to be announced this week or next. It involves damage to the catalyst resulting from oil leaks in the RX-8's rotary engine.
Any engine that does not pass a vacuum test must be replaced, said Robert Davis, head of product development and quality at Mazda North American Operations.
Engines prone to failing the test are mostly in hot climates and use synthetic oils.
Mazda also will check each RX-8's battery and starter, which tend to fail in cold climates.
"We're going to give these cars the white-glove treatment," Davis said. "We would rather replace the engine than have the dealer crack them open."
Davis would not disclose the projected failure rate of the engines or the cost to replace them.
Mazda has a remanufacturing center in North Carolina that will rebuild faulty engines and return them to service.
The recall comes after a video Webcast by two dealers who attended the July 11-13 National Dealer Advisory Council meetings in Newport Beach, Calif., was leaked on the Internet.
In the video, dealers said problems with the RX-8 were unfairly lowering Mazda customer-satisfaction scores.
Mazda informed the dealers that RX-8 owners would continue to be surveyed, but that the responses would not factor into dealer customer-satisfaction scores.
Mazda has issued service bulletins on such trouble spots as squeaky brakes and engine flooding.
The voluntary recall of all 2004 and 2005 vehicles, and some 2006s, is expected to be announced this week or next. It involves damage to the catalyst resulting from oil leaks in the RX-8's rotary engine.
Any engine that does not pass a vacuum test must be replaced, said Robert Davis, head of product development and quality at Mazda North American Operations.
Engines prone to failing the test are mostly in hot climates and use synthetic oils.
Mazda also will check each RX-8's battery and starter, which tend to fail in cold climates.
"We're going to give these cars the white-glove treatment," Davis said. "We would rather replace the engine than have the dealer crack them open."
Davis would not disclose the projected failure rate of the engines or the cost to replace them.
Mazda has a remanufacturing center in North Carolina that will rebuild faulty engines and return them to service.
The recall comes after a video Webcast by two dealers who attended the July 11-13 National Dealer Advisory Council meetings in Newport Beach, Calif., was leaked on the Internet.
In the video, dealers said problems with the RX-8 were unfairly lowering Mazda customer-satisfaction scores.
Mazda informed the dealers that RX-8 owners would continue to be surveyed, but that the responses would not factor into dealer customer-satisfaction scores.
Mazda has issued service bulletins on such trouble spots as squeaky brakes and engine flooding.
08-21-2006 | 11:04 AM
#10
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8
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From: Ontario, Canada
Automobile News "Mazda Expects to Recall RX-8s
This is the link to Automobile News about a possible recall.
I was made aware of the content by a friend in the business. It isn't good.
This link will only take you to the link and teaser.
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...ategory=SEARCH
I was made aware of the content by a friend in the business. It isn't good.
This link will only take you to the link and teaser.
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...ategory=SEARCH
08-21-2006 | 11:08 AM
#14
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8
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From: Ontario, Canada
Text
Mazda expects to recall RX-8s
Automaker: Engines failing vacuum test must be replaced
queryvar="mazda,expects,to,recall,rx-8s"; Mark Rechtin | | Automotive News / August 21, 2006 - 6:00 am
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
document.write ('');
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONTEREY, Calif. -- After suffering a black eye from disclosing that it won't count RX-8 owners' opinions in its internal customer-satisfaction scores, Mazda says it may have to replace the engines in many of its flagship sports cars.
The voluntary recall of all 2004 and 2005 vehicles, and some 2006s, is expected to be announced this week or next. It involves damage to the catalyst resulting from oil leaks in the RX-8's rotary engine.
Any engine that does not pass a vacuum test must be replaced, said Robert Davis, head of product development and quality at Mazda North American Operations.
Engines prone to failing the test are mostly in hot climates and use synthetic oils.
Mazda also will check each RX-8's battery and starter, which tend to fail in cold climates.
"We're going to give these cars the white-glove treatment," Davis said. "We would rather replace the engine than have the dealer crack them open."
Davis would not disclose the projected failure rate of the engines or the cost to replace them.
Mazda has a remanufacturing center in North Carolina that will rebuild faulty engines and return them to service.
The recall comes after a video Webcast by two dealers who attended the July 11-13 National Dealer Advisory Council meetings in Newport Beach, Calif., was leaked on the Internet.
In the video, dealers said problems with the RX-8 were unfairly lowering Mazda customer-satisfaction scores.
Mazda informed the dealers that RX-8 owners would continue to be surveyed, but that the responses would not factor into dealer customer-satisfaction scores.
Mazda has issued service bulletins on such trouble spots as squeaky brakes and engine flooding.
Mazda expects to recall RX-8s
Automaker: Engines failing vacuum test must be replaced
queryvar="mazda,expects,to,recall,rx-8s"; Mark Rechtin | | Automotive News / August 21, 2006 - 6:00 am
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
document.write ('');
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONTEREY, Calif. -- After suffering a black eye from disclosing that it won't count RX-8 owners' opinions in its internal customer-satisfaction scores, Mazda says it may have to replace the engines in many of its flagship sports cars.
The voluntary recall of all 2004 and 2005 vehicles, and some 2006s, is expected to be announced this week or next. It involves damage to the catalyst resulting from oil leaks in the RX-8's rotary engine.
Any engine that does not pass a vacuum test must be replaced, said Robert Davis, head of product development and quality at Mazda North American Operations.
Engines prone to failing the test are mostly in hot climates and use synthetic oils.
Mazda also will check each RX-8's battery and starter, which tend to fail in cold climates.
"We're going to give these cars the white-glove treatment," Davis said. "We would rather replace the engine than have the dealer crack them open."
Davis would not disclose the projected failure rate of the engines or the cost to replace them.
Mazda has a remanufacturing center in North Carolina that will rebuild faulty engines and return them to service.
The recall comes after a video Webcast by two dealers who attended the July 11-13 National Dealer Advisory Council meetings in Newport Beach, Calif., was leaked on the Internet.
In the video, dealers said problems with the RX-8 were unfairly lowering Mazda customer-satisfaction scores.
Mazda informed the dealers that RX-8 owners would continue to be surveyed, but that the responses would not factor into dealer customer-satisfaction scores.
Mazda has issued service bulletins on such trouble spots as squeaky brakes and engine flooding.
08-21-2006 | 11:23 AM
#19
1.3L is enough 4 anybody
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 249
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From: Chicago Suburbs
Originally Posted by T-REX
RevTo9K: Thanks dude
08-21-2006 | 11:23 AM
#20
A nice step up!!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 2
From: Maine
Nice find.
I think they should give us all new ones. Mine's been in the shop no less than 15 times for check engine light (3 times - 2 min after purchase), airbag light (3 times), auto leveling headlight malfunction (4 times - still comes on), TPS light, Starter/battery, "flooded", . . . .
I think they should give us all new ones. Mine's been in the shop no less than 15 times for check engine light (3 times - 2 min after purchase), airbag light (3 times), auto leveling headlight malfunction (4 times - still comes on), TPS light, Starter/battery, "flooded", . . . .
08-21-2006 | 11:29 AM
#21
Club Marbles Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,252
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From: DFW, TX
Engine replacements??!?!!?11 ZOMG! I wonder if I have a shot at replacing my intake manifold to get rid of my marbles!
Vacuum test as in compression test?
DUN DUN DUN
Vacuum test as in compression test?
Engines prone to failing the test are mostly in hot climates and use synthetic oils.
08-21-2006 | 11:30 AM
#23
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08-21-2006 | 11:32 AM
#25
Go Texas Longhorns!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,818
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From: Houston, Texas
I'm not going to freak out quite yet, but I'm glad they are handling the situation the way they are. With the dealers out of the equation you know the engines are being handled by people who know what they are doing.
The longer term issue is the bad press (again) for the rotary in general. What kills me is that it isn't the engines as much as the auxillaries that are causing the issues.
The longer term issue is the bad press (again) for the rotary in general. What kills me is that it isn't the engines as much as the auxillaries that are causing the issues.