Hi All,

First time post here but i Have a 2004 Auto (I know thats my first problem haha) with 87k and i was driving on the highway with my girlfriend in the car going around 75mph when suddenly my engine lost all compression. Luckily i was able to get over to the shoulder and no one was hurt. Had to get car towed to my mechanic then later to mazda for further review... It was diagnosed as complete engine failure blah blah apex seals worn out and what not. They said because i have a cold air intake (K&N Typhoon) and an after market cat (Which they also did not cover under the FEDERAL warranty for some BS excuse so i had to buy an after market one). This does not seem justified to me....how can the air filter and cat affect the life of my engine? I thought it would be better for it if anything, this just seems like Mazda jumping through hoops, should i file a class action law suit? anyone have experience with this matter?

 

What dealership did you go to? It is against the LAW to refuse a warranty repair on a vehicle with aftermarket parts. First off the dealership has to PROVE that the Aftermarket parts caused the failure.

Understanding the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975.

Nearly everyone has heard about someone who has taken a vehicle that has been modified with aftermarket parts to a dealer for warranty service, only to have the dealer refuse to cover the defective items. The dealer usually states that because of the aftermarket parts the warranty is void, without even attempting to determine whether the aftermarket part caused the problem.

This is illegal.

Vehicle manufacturers are not allowed to void the vehicle warranty just because aftermarket parts are on the vehicle. To better understand this problem it is best to know the differences between the two types of new car warranties and the two types of emission warranties.

When a vehicle is purchased new and the owner is protected against the faults that may occur by an expressed warranty - an offer by the manufacturer to assume the responsibility for problems with predetermined parts during a stated period of time. Beyond the expressed warranty, the vehicle manufacturer is often held responsible for further implied warranties. These state that a manufactured product should meet certain standards. However, in both cases, the mere presence of aftermarket parts doesn't void the warranty.

There are also two emission warranties (defect and performance) required under the clean air act. The defect warranty requires the manufacturer to produce a vehicle which, at the time of sale, is free of defects that would cause it to not meet the required emission levels for it's useful life as defined in the law. The performance warranty implies a vehicle must maintain certain levels of emission performance over it's useful life. If the vehicle fails to meet the performance warranty requirements, the manufacturer must make repairs at no cost to the owner, even if an aftermarket part is directly responsible for a warranty claim, the vehicle manufacturer cannot void the performance warranty. This protection is the result of a parts self - certification program developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA).

In cases where such a failed aftermarket part is responsible for a warranty claim, the vehicle manufacturer must arrange a settlement with the consumer, but by law the new - vehicle warranty is not voided.

Overall, the laws governing warranties are very clear. The only time a new vehicle warranty can be voided is if an aftermarket part has been installed and it can be proven that it is responsible for an emission warranty claim. However, a vehicle manufacturer or dealership cannot void a warranty simply because an an aftermarket equipment has been installed on a vehicle.

If a dealership denies a warranty claim and you think the claim falls under the rules explained above concerning the clean air act (such as an emission part failure), obtain a written explanation of the dealers refusal. Then follow the steps outlined in the owners manual. However, if this fails, then phone your complaint in to the EPA at (202) 233-9040 or (202) 326-9100.

If a dealer denies a warranty claim involving an implied or expressed new car warranty and you would like help, you can contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint, you can call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357), or use the online complaint form. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies worldwide.

WHAT IS THE MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT?

On January 4, 1975, President Ford signed into law the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Title 1, ..101-112, 15 U.S.C. ..2301 et seq. This act, effective July 4, 1975, is designed to "improve the adequacy of information available to consumers, prevent deception, and improve competition in the marketing of consumer products. . . ." The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act applies only to consumer products, which are defined as "any tangible personal property which is distributed in commerce and which is normally used for personal, family, or household purposes (including any such property intended to be attached to or installed in any real property without regard to whether it is so attached or installed)." Under Section 103 of the Act, if a warrantor sells a consumer product costing more than $15 under written warranty, the writing must state the warranty in readily understandable language as determined by standards set forth by the Federal Trade Commission. There is, however, no requirement that a warranty be given nor that any product be warranted for any length of time. Thus the Act only requires that when there is a written warranty, the warrantor clearly disclose the nature of his warranty obligation prior to the sale of the product. The consumer may then compare warranty protection, thus shopping for the "best buy." To further protect the consumer from deception, the Act requires that any written warranty must be labeled as either a "full" or a "limited" warranty. Only warranties that meet the standards of the Act may be labeled as "full." One of the most important provisions of the Act prohibits a warrantor from disclaiming or modifying any implied warranty whenever any written warranty is given or service contract entered into. Implied warranties may, however, be limited in duration if the limitation is reasonable, conscionable, and set forth in clear and unmistakable language prominently displayed on the face of the warranty. A consumer damaged by breach of warranty, or noncompliance with the act, may sue in either state or federal district court. Access to federal court, however, is severely limited by the Act's provision that no claim may be brought in federal court if: (a) The amount in controversy of any individual claim is less than $25,000; (b) the amount in controversy is less than the sum or value of $50,000 computed on the basis of all claims in the suit; or (c) a class action is brought, and the number of named plaintiffs is less than 100. In light of these requirements it is likely that most suits will be brought in state court. If the consumer prevails, he is awarded costs and attorneys' fees. Nothing in the Act invalidates any right or remedy available under state law, and most suits should proceed on claims based on both the Code and the Act.

Understanding the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is the federal law that governs consumer product warranties. Passed by Congress in 1975, the Act requires manufacturers and sellers of consumer products to provide consumers with detailed information about warranty coverage. In addition, it affects both the rights of consumers and the obligations of warrantors under written warranties.

To understand the Act, it is useful to be aware of Congress' intentions in passing it. First, Congress wanted to ensure that consumers could get complete information about warranty terms and conditions. By providing consumers with a way of learning what warranty coverage is offered on a product before they buy, the Act gives consumers a way to know what to expect if something goes wrong, and thus helps to increase customer satisfaction.

Second, Congress wanted to ensure that consumers could compare warranty coverage before buying. By comparing, consumers can choose a product with the best combination of price, features, and warranty coverage to meet their individual needs.

Third, Congress intended to promote competition on the basis of warranty coverage. By assuring that consumers can get warranty information, the Act encourages sales promotion on the basis of warranty coverage and competition among companies to meet consumer preferences through various levels of warranty coverage.

Finally, Congress wanted to strengthen existing incentives for companies to perform their warranty obligations in a timely and thorough manner and to resolve any disputes with a minimum of delay and expense to consumers. Thus, the Act makes it easier for consumers to pursue a remedy for breach of warranty in the courts, but it also creates a framework for companies to set up procedures for resolving disputes inexpensively and informally, without litigation.

What the Magnuson-Moss Act Does Not Require

In order to understand how the Act affects you as a businessperson, it is important first to understand what the Act does not require.

First, the Act does not require any business to provide a written warranty. The Act allows businesses to determine whether to warrant their products in writing. However, once a business decides to offer a written warranty on a consumer product, it must comply with the Act.

Second, the Act does not apply to oral warranties. Only written warranties are covered.

Third, the Act does not apply to warranties on services. Only warranties on goods are covered. However, if your warranty covers both the parts provided for a repair and the workmanship in making that repair, the Act does apply to you.

Finally, the Act does not apply to warranties on products sold for resale or for commercial purposes. The Act covers only warranties on consumer products. This means that only warranties on tangible property normally used for personal, family, or household purposes are covered. (This includes property attached to or installed on real property.) Note that applicability of the Act to a particular product does not, however, depend upon how an individual buyer will use it.

The following section of this manual summarizes what the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act requires warrantors to do, what it prohibits them from doing, and how it affects warranty disputes.

What the Magnuson-Moss Act Requires

In passing the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Congress specified a number of requirements that warrantors must meet. Congress also directed the FTC to adopt rules to cover other requirements. The FTC adopted three Rules under the Act, the Rule on Disclosure of Written Consumer Product Warranty Terms and Conditions (the Disclosure Rule), the Rule on Pre-Sale Availability of Written Warranty Terms (the Pre-Sale Availability Rule), and the Rule on Informal Dispute Settlement Procedures (the Dispute Resolution Rule). In addition, the FTC has issued an interpretive rule that clarifies certain terms and explains some of the provisions of the Act. This section summarizes all the requirements under the Act and the Rules.

The Act and the Rules establish three basic requirements that may apply to you, either as a warrantor or a seller.

As a warrantor, you must designate, or title, your written warranty as either "full" or "limited."
As a warrantor, you must state certain specified information about the coverage of your warranty in a single, clear, and easy-to-read document.
As a warrantor or a seller, you must ensure that warranties are available where your warranted consumer products are sold so that consumers can read them before buying.

The titling requirement, established by the Act, applies to all written warranties on consumer products costing more than $10. However, the disclosure and pre-sale availability requirements, established by FTC Rules, apply to all written warranties on consumer products costing more than $15. Each of these three general requirements is explained in greater detail in the following chapters.

What the Magnuson-Moss Act Does Not Allow

There are three prohibitions under the Magnuson-Moss Act. They involve implied warranties, so-called "tie-in sales" provisions, and deceptive or misleading warranty terms.

Disclaimer or Modification of Implied Warranties

The Act prohibits anyone who offers a written warranty from disclaiming or modifying implied warranties. This means that no matter how broad or narrow your written warranty is, your customers always will receive the basic protection of the implied warranty of merchantability.

There is one permissible modification of implied warranties, however. If you offer a "limited" written warranty, the law allows you to include a provision that restricts the duration of implied warranties to the duration of your limited warranty. For example, if you offer a two-year limited warranty, you can limit implied warranties to two years. However, if you offer a "full" written warranty, you cannot limit the duration of implied warranties.

If you sell a consumer product with a written warranty from the product manufacturer, but you do not warrant the product in writing, you can disclaim your implied warranties. (These are the implied warranties under which the seller, not the manufacturer, would otherwise be responsible.) But, regardless of whether you warrant the products you sell, as a seller, you must give your customers copies of any written warranties from product manufacturers.

"Tie-In Sales" Provisions

Generally, tie-in sales provisions are not allowed. Such a provision would require a purchaser of the warranted product to buy an item or service from a particular company to use with the warranted product in order to be eligible to receive a remedy under the warranty. The following are examples of prohibited tie-in sales provisions.

In order to keep your new Plenum Brand Vacuum Cleaner warranty in effect, you must use genuine Plenum Brand Filter Bags. Failure to have scheduled maintenance performed, at your expense, by the Great American Maintenance Company, Inc., voids this warranty.

While you cannot use a tie-in sales provision, your warranty need not cover use of replacement parts, repairs, or maintenance that is inappropriate for your product. The following is an example of a permissible provision that excludes coverage of such things.

While necessary maintenance or repairs on your AudioMundo Stereo System can be performed by any company, we recommend that you use only authorized AudioMundo dealers. Improper or incorrectly performed maintenance or repair voids this warranty.

Although tie-in sales provisions generally are not allowed, you can include such a provision in your warranty if you can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FTC that your product will not work properly without a specified item or service. If you believe that this is the case, you should contact the warranty staff of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection for information on how to apply for a waiver of the tie-in sales prohibition.

Deceptive Warranty Terms

Obviously, warranties must not contain deceptive or misleading terms. You cannot offer a warranty that appears to provide coverage but, in fact, provides none. For example, a warranty covering only "moving parts" on an electronic product that has no moving parts would be deceptive and unlawful. Similarly, a warranty that promised service that the warrantor had no intention of providing or could not provide would be deceptive and unlawful.

How the Magnuson Moss Act May Affect Warranty Disputes

Two other features of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act are also important to warrantors. First, the Act makes it easier for consumers to take an unresolved warranty problem to court. Second, it encourages companies to use a less formal, and therefore less costly, alternative to legal proceedings. Such alternatives, known as dispute resolution mechanisms, often can be used to settle warranty complaints before they reach litigation.

Consumer Lawsuits

The Act makes it easier for purchasers to sue for breach of warranty by making breach of warranty a violation of federal law, and by allowing consumers to recover court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. This means that if you lose a lawsuit for breach of either a written or an implied warranty, you may have to pay the customer's costs for bringing the suit, including lawyer's fees.

Because of the stringent federal jurisdictional requirements under the Act, most Magnuson-Moss lawsuits are brought in state court. However, major cases involving many consumers can be brought in federal court as class action suits under the Act.

Although the consumer lawsuit provisions may have little effect on your warranty or your business, they are important to remember if you are involved in warranty disputes.

Alternatives to Consumer Lawsuits

Although the Act makes consumer lawsuits for breach of warranty easier to bring, its goal is not to promote more warranty litigation. On the contrary, the Act encourages companies to use informal dispute resolution mechanisms to settle warranty disputes with their customers. Basically, an informal dispute resolution mechanism is a system that works to resolve warranty problems that are at a stalemate. Such a mechanism may be run by an impartial third party, such as the Better Business Bureau, or by company employees whose only job is to administer the informal dispute resolution system. The impartial third party uses conciliation, mediation, or arbitration to settle warranty disputes.

The Act allows warranties to include a provision that requires customers to try to resolve warranty disputes by means of the informal dispute resolution mechanism before going to court. (This provision applies only to cases based upon the Magnuson-Moss Act.) If you include such a requirement in your warranty, your dispute resolution mechanism must meet the requirements stated in the FTC's Rule on Informal Dispute Settlement Procedures (the Dispute Resolution Rule). Briefly, the Rule requires that a mechanism must:

Be adequately funded and staffed to resolve all disputes quickly;
Be available free of charge to consumers;
Be able to settle disputes independently, without influence from the parties involved;
Follow written procedures;
Inform both parties when it receives notice of a dispute;
Gather, investigate, and organize all information necessary to decide each dispute fairly and quickly;
Provide each party an opportunity to present its side, to submit supporting materials, and to rebut points made by the other party; (the mechanism may allow oral presentations, but only if both parties agree);
Inform both parties of the decision and the reasons supporting it within 40 days of receiving notice of a dispute; Issue decisions that are not binding; either party must be free to take the dispute to court if dissatisfied with the decision (however, companies may, and often do, agree to be bound by the decision);
Keep complete records on all disputes; and
Be audited annually for compliance with the Rule.

It is clear from these standards that informal dispute resolution mechanisms under the Dispute Resolution Rule are not "informal" in the sense of being unstructured. Rather, they are informal because they do not involve the technical rules of evidence, procedure, and precedents that a court of law must use.

Currently, the FTC's staff is evaluating the Dispute Resolution Rule to determine if informal dispute resolution mechanisms can be made simpler and easier to use. To obtain more information about this review, contact the FTC's warranty staff.

As stated previously, you do not have to comply with the Dispute Resolution Rule if you do not require consumers to use a mechanism before bringing suit under the Magnuson-Moss Act. You may want to consider establishing a mechanism that will make settling warranty disputes easier, even though it may not meet the standards of the Dispute Resolution Rule.

 

go up the ladder and get a second opinion. the cat -if it is a legally sold emissions legal cat- they cannot fault you for at all.

the intake could be problematic because they could make an argument that the filter was over oiled causing the maf to get fouled causing the car to run poorly. BUT they have to PROVE the filter DID cause the compression loss.

and with engine failures on record for your exact year and model with an extended core warranty because of it they will be hard pressed to prove that it was the intake and not the same fault as all of the other 2004 ATs that failed.

 

id like to know how they denied the cat warranty in the first place and where are you?

 

they don't have to warranty an aftermarket cat, its the seller of that Cat's responsibilities.

but its fairly common that a Dealership would deny your warranty with Aftermarket parts there.

You have a long road to fight buddy. I recommend you to get your local's attorney's general into this.

 

they denied his warranty for the OEM cat which is why he has and aftermarket cat.

 

If they're going to be shady about it, wouldn't they just fabricate proof?

 

My engne lost all compreson and died yesterday. I am gathering receipts now, but this is what to do. First, you need to take care of yourself with an "out" plan. Do not, do not put yourself in a position where you have no "out", and are driving an Enterprise rent a crap, burning cash every day, pursuing legal routes, while your baby the rx8 is at the dealer with a busted engine. It will drive anyone nuts. Your immedate action to take is submit an online auto loan through your bank. You got your 2004 many years ago, you probsbly make more money now, and can consider what vehicle would meet your needs today. The auto loan market is great now. The rates are low, but the money is actually flowing out unlike in real estate. My new and used loans came back this morning, about 8 hours after submitting it lat night. I can pick up my loan any time. My credit is average at best, but 4.9 and 5.79 apr I can stomach if they force my hand. 48k pre-approval is what I will walk into the mazda dealership when corporate denies my warranty claim at 39k miles 2005 original owner. So, I've set mysef up with an "out" and no Mazda dealer on the planet can hold me hostage. Please put yourself in the same beneficial position, whether you are appoved for 60k or 10k, everyone should have a backup for their own mental sake. Try to save money, go legal routes, but do have an out. It sucks to do this for a vehicle that is paid off and saving you money, but sometimes you have to give them the finger and move on. Good luck, who knows mayb the attorneys will me it work for you.

 

This.

 

Thanks for the replies so far! the dealership is Earnhardt Mazda/Ford in Chandler,AZ and my mileage is 57k not 87k sorry....typo. I talked to the service manager and i brought in receipts for all oil changes and relevant maintenance work to him. He is going to try his best to get Mazda to cover the repairs and give me a new engine. I thought they were gonna recall all RX8's because the computer that regulates how much oil the engine takes in was faulty. This seems like the cause of all this and NOT the intake and cat. Anyways thanks again I will keep everyone posted.

 

Well worse comes to worse, you have support from your local crowd.

 

good luck

 

So wait...because your car tears up and the dealership gives you static over fixing it under warranty, you are supposed to run out, apply for loans, and then go and pick out a new car?



Damn son, with that attitude you must live a life where money is the sun and you're trying to find shade.

"I'm rollin hard, now under control
then wrapped the 6 fo' round a telephone pole
i looked at ma car and i said "oh brother"
i'll throw it in the gutter and go buy another"

 

FIRST, try and go the easy route, which it seems like you're doing. be supportive, get them papers they need, etc.

If they STILL deny it, then you're forced to play hardball. Just say "The law is really clear on this: the warranty stands unless you PROVE that the failure is due to the aftermarket part. So: I'll need written proof that this equipment directly caused the engine to fail, with enough technical evidence that will satisfy a court and any engineering witness that may be testifying in that court. If you're not prepared to do that, then I'll need my new engine put in within a reasonable period of time."

Let them know you're serious about it (even if you're not), and find some relatively cheap lawyer. If you just pay a lawyer to serve them court papers, they will certainly concede, because it's an open and shut case (given that your maintanence records are generally OK).

Again, try to do it the nice way first...

 

i think he was just saying dont get stuck in a rental while trying to get them to fix it under warranty. having the option of another car to drive thats not a rental could remove some pressure from you to cave.

 

Hope it works out for you.

 

does an engine that has lost all compression turn over at all??
my engine just died on me today everything works but it doesnt start im hoping its the starter :/

 

If it turns very quickly (almost freespinning with no rhythm or resistance) but doesnt seem to be compressing or attempting to start, it has lost compression either due to severe flooding or some sort of internal seal(s) issue. You can try to restore compression temporarily by injecting some thin oil (thin motor oil, 2 cycle, atf, mmo) into the combustion chambers via the intake runners or sparkplug holes. This will clear any excess fuel in the chambers and will fill gaps between seals and housings, and allow the engine to start (assuming ignition and fuel systems are in order otherwise).

If the engine turns at it's normal speed but just doesn't start, it can be a light flood condition or a lack of fuel or spark. For instance fouled plugs, bad coils, dead fuel pump.

If the engine turns slowly but doesnt start it can be the starter motor getting weak, bad battery, poor connections at battery or starter, or possibly oil system damage internal to the engine causing it to rotate slowly and drag. A slowly rotating rotary engine does not generate enough cranking compression to fire and run. You need at least 225rpm.

If the engine does not rotate at all you have a starter issue, battery issue, ignition switch, clutch pedal/auto safety interlock switch issue, etc.

 

Oh...okay.

Still, who actually gets auto loan preapprovals to go flaunt at the dealership service department? Those guys won't give a rat's ***.

I think before I'd do that, I'd get on craigslist and buy myself a 91 civic for $850 or something. Get a cash advance from a creditcard or get a small signature loan and buy a beater, maybe even a motorcycle to get by on.

 

And remind them that if it goes to court, you will also be seeking reimbursement for the rented, borrowed, or bought vehicle you were forced to acquire while the rx8 was down due to their foolishness. Also obviously lawyer fees and court costs, and also the cost of the cat replacement part and labor that they falsely denied previously. This would be in addition to the retail cost of an engine plus install costs (to be performed at another dealership or at an independent shop) that they are withholding.

It doesnt matter whether or not you are actually entitled to that (most of it, you are) or whether a judge would agree. It is just something else to pile on them and make them cave.

 

totally agree with ya there.

 

why did they deny the warranty cat replacement?

 

Craigslist, I had not thought of that, and that is a better idea.

When I read about the rx8 being treated as the poor whipping boy at the regional level, denying warranties, among other nefarious activities, I get crazy. I am a rotary rager and I won't apologize.

 

This is my experience with Earnhardt Mazda. LINK

 

Wow you guys are slacking. You all forgot to mention to contact Mazda NA. He needs to get on the phone and file a complaint. He needs to work with Mazda North America on getting this fixed.

Secondly everyone should always have a backup car. Even an inexpensive one. Cars break down this is a normal fact of life. Take the paperwork on the warranty to the dealer. Ask them where it says you cant have an after market intake or exhaust. Then make sure you take the claim you filed with Mazda North America with you as well. Tell them if the engine is not replaced under warranty that you are left with no choice but to take it up in court.

Also make sure you remind them that they win with warranty work. The mechanic gets paid for the work. The parts guy gets his 8% of the sale. Plus you will still fork out at least a grand in parts that have to be replaced. Make sure you also tell them you want the old parts back to inspect them. The service writer gets his, and the shop gets theres from Mazda. Show them how it can help everyone out