I've looked at the list of Service Bulletins for my RX-8 and have found several that apply. For example, the sunroof rattles, engine grommets are missing, and there are scratches on the seatbacks from the seatbelt hitting them when the rear door is closed.

I've called a couple dealerships (Milam and Russ Dunmire) and both seem reluctant to work these issues under warranty. Dunmire actually said they won't do the grommet replacement, regardless of the TSB.

Am I the only one who thinks this is f'd up? The TSBs specifically say these fixes are covered under warranty for affected customers, so how the heck can they say they won't do it? Has anyone else been successful in getting these fixed?

PS: You can see a list of TSBs here: http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ins_index.html.

 

do you have another dealer in the area? which is the next closest?

 

Pinnacle Mazda in Renton, I think.

 

Wow you got zapped.

 

call mazda of north america, tell them that your local dealership will not do your tsb's. They should start a file for your car. They should also call the dealerships and make them fix the problems. Dont let the dealership tell you they wont, just go over there head. IF they still dont want to do it, then show up at one of the dealerships and demand to speak the the regional rep. That will get them going. I hope this helpls.

 

It's amazing what happens when you start raising hell in a showroom full of people.

 

I e-mailed Mazda and here is their response:

"Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate
the opportunity to respond to you.

Bulletins (Technical Service Bulletins) are specifically designed for
dealership use and we do not release or list them otherwise. Keep in
mind that TSB's are NOT recalls and are not indicative of any concerns
with a specific vehicle, they are literally updates to service
information for dealerships. These are updates for the vehicles
original repair manual. In order for Mazda to repair any TSB listed on
a vehicle first the vehicle would need to be diagnosed by an authorized
Mazda dealership. Once this is done they would check their TSB listing
and work in conjunction with the Mazda technical support engineers to
make sure your vehicles symptoms match those outlined in the TSB. If
this repair does fall within that TSB and the dealership finds it was a
defect in workmanship or materials, not items related to maintenance,
normal wear and tear, or outside influences, it can be covered under
the basic warranty. This would work just like any other warranty claim
and the vehicle must be under the Mazda basic warranty claim in order
for it to be covered."

Seems to me it would be easy for the dealership to claim that any defect was caused by wear & tear and that it won't be covered under warranty, even though there's a TSB stating that it's a defective design. I guess this is all the more reason not to buy a 1st-year car model.

 

My svc. tech game me issues with the starter/battery TSB.
I called, asked the receptionist who the svc mgr. was & talked to him.
Of course, he isn't higher than Mazda NA, but Mazda NA really doesn't have any superiority over the dealerships. Mazda NA will note the file if you put it in a manner that shows you were "given poor service, etc" at this particular dealer, but they can not force them to do anything.
When I called the svc mgr. I spoke in clear tones & put it in a way that basically said your svc tech treated me with disrespect & I don't appreciate his NOT taking my complaints seriously. He did not show the desire to make me, a customer, happy. The svc mgr corrected the problem immediately, I made the appt with him & got the battery & starter replaced, and washed & waxed & the tank filled, which was missed when it was in there before as part of the recall that they are supposed to do. Mentioning of the TSB may have been a mistake. Is better to just say "Hey, I have this issue, can you fix it & will it be covered under warranty?" Play dumb when it comes to TSB's, as they are "tools" for use by the svc dept to assist them in diagnosis of the problem. If the dealership diagnoses it properly & documents it properly & it is warranteed, they get paid by Mazda NA. Maybe approach it that way, I have this problem, can you fix it & what will it cost me? If they say a price, then call another dealership. Give them the opportunity to offer it under warranty. See what happens. Also, perhaps say, I need to bring my car in for ________ mileage service. Since it is coming in for that (which you will pay for), can you also fix A, B & C? And, what will those items cost me? That way, you give them the chance to get your money for the mileage service, but see if you can convince them to do those other things for free. If they don't, say "dang, I wish that stuff was under warranty..." Lead them a little. See what happens.

 

Head up to University Mazda in Seattle. They are the best Dealership I have worked with.

Dougs used to be great, but last I was there, they refused to work on my car because of "aftermarket parts" Namely the K&N Intake.

When I scheduled an appointment with University Mazda, I asked about the aftermarket equipment and if I had to return the vehicle to stock and they said no I did not.