Luftwaffle

Alright, I'm going to need some advice on this.

The other day, I took my car in to check out some issues I've been having lately along with a CEL that went off. Quick summary:

-It was a loose gas cap that set off the CEL. They replaced it under warranty.
-The handbrake was randomly popping up as I drove and was setting off the light. They tightened it under warranty.
-I have those weird milky splotches underneath the lens covers of the headlights. Third time I brought up this issue, third time they did nothing.
-The rattling gauge cover problem I had was fixed by replacing a nut and tightening it down. They charged me 85 cents for the nut and 57 bucks for labor. :cursing:

Now, my questions: Why isn't the gauge cover covered under warranty? I thought it should be, since I didn't actually do anything to it myself, it was always loose since I got it. But, within the past 2 months it just started making squeaking noises like crazy while I was driving. Should I call up the dealership and yell at them about this? Or should I call up MNAO and ask them why the dealership would charge me for this stupid thing?

Next issue: Has anyone else gotten their headlight lens covers replaced for the haze on the inside? It has been getting worse since I got the car and the dealership still won't fix it. Should I call MNAO for this as well?

Thanks for all your help.
Ming

lurch519

mine had really bad condensation in my passenger taillight, and a light film in both headlights. took it in to my dealership, and they replaced all 3 pieces no question. mine was actually the first one they did for the headlights.

Chrisbert

I have the rattle in my pod also. Where is this nut? I'll tighten it myself.

Luftwaffle

Lurch - I thought the lens covers should have been replaced. I'm gonna go complain to MNAO about this service department.

Chris - Sorry, I have no clue where it is. I didn't get a chance to look for it since it was nighttime. I'm thinking it can't be that difficult to find though.

NoTears316

Same with mine, I had condensation in my left rear taillight, and also had the film in my headlights. They were replaced without any issues.

gonnahanvan8

You need to file a complaint with MNAO. THey should not charge you for tightning a nut that is a build issue. ALso, it is known the the headlight have problems. It should be replaced. TIme to find a new dealer.

Luftwaffle

Word. I'm going to call up MNAO tomorrow and complain.

Thanks.

Haze

Depends on when you bought your car as to whether it is within warranty. They could claim that the nut was an adjustment, which I think that it was, and the problem would only be paid for by Mazda if it was within the 1 year squeaks and rattles adjustment warranty. Call the service manager and ask him what his theory is for not calling it a warranty repair. He could be right.

zoom44

did they tell you ahead of time how much the charge for fixing the nut would be? did you sign a paper ahead of time to authorise them to do work even if they didnt inform you?

the headlights should be replaced. this is a known issue - they can call their tech hot line and get authorization if they are a delaer that is not allowed to make that decision on their own. some are and some not based on their scores and service history.

the nut - up to 12k miles an adjustment like this would have been covered afterwards it is not.

Luftwaffle

They didn't tell me how much fixing the nut would cost. They only called me ahead of time about replacing the battery for 62 bucks, which I agreed to. The nut was the charge that totally blindsided me. I complained about the problem and they fixed it, but they didn't tell me how much that would cost. Unless they spoke to my father about it and not me...

My car doesn't have close to 12k miles on it.

zoom44

that would be illegal in my state

gonnahanvan8

The battery should probably covered under warranty also.

BunnyGirl

The filmy-looking lenses and/or cracks have something to do with using the wrong kind of cleaner to remove the adhesive. It eats up some kind of coating.

zoom44

i know here in oregon and in PA and in NJ they have to inform you and get consent for the work they will do. inthis case it even caused you damages in the loss of the money.

excrpts from emails with oregon attorney's general office

NomisR

Complain to MNAO, I've had all my rattles repaired without cost and covered under warranty and replaced the headlamp without any problem too. How come you only have less than 12k miles? Didn't you have your car for ages now?

wombaticon

Check your state's adopted version of the Deceptive Trades and Practices Act or other consumer-related statutes. Assignment of unauthorized charges and performance of unauthorized operations on your property might be prohibited. Many merchants deal with irrate customers by ignoring them, and the customers usually get tired of pursuing the matter. Good luck, and stick it to 'em.

Luftwaffle

A year and change. I don't drive to commute. I only go out on weekends and such.

Luftwaffle

Thanks, zoom.

Roger that, thank you.

Luftwaffle

They said the battery was pro-rated for 1-year. Since my car is a little over a year old, it's no longer covered completely under warranty. So, I had to pay for half of it.

Haze

The rattle and shakes warranty is 1 year or 12,000 miles whichever comes first so you are past the warranty period for that.

The next question that I would ask is whether you feel that 58 bucks is too much to twist that nut, which sounds like it needes some digging to get to, and second whether you want to get into a major argument with a dealer over $58. I would pay the bill. They did the work, and the deserve to be paid for doing that work.

Luftwaffle

If that's the warranty period, then yes I am past that.

Do I think that twisting a nut that's hard to get to is worth 58 bucks? No. I'd rather try to get it myself. I would only want them to fix it if it were under warranty. If it's not under warranty, I'll get my own tools and look for the nut myself.

zoom44

have you read the driver side air bag rattle tsb? did you have that work performed previously?

Luftwaffle

Yeah, that was allegedly completed before I even got the car.

zoom44

so it could have been faulty workmanship that caused this rattle in the first place

swoope

iTrader: (5)

what they all said, and the battery / starter / plugs all should be covered. you have had problems starting it right????? i would get money back try a new dealer if one is avaible.

call mnao.

beers