NHTSA Complaint #10049288 — 2000 MAZDA MPV

LEAK IN 2000 MPV THAT DEALER STATED WAS DUE TO "OUTSIDE INFLUENCE" AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED AS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. DEALER TOLD US THAT THE LEAK (WHICH RUINED OUR FLOOR BOARDS, RUGS AND WIRING) WAS DUE TO PARKING THE CAR OUTSIDE, WHICH LED TO DIRT AND LEAVES GETTING INTO THE HOOD, (OR SOMEWHERE) CLOGGING THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM . WE DO PARK THE CAR OUTSIDE IN A CLEAR DRIVEWAY. (WE WERE NOT AWARE THAT YOU HAD TO OWN A GARAGE TO OWN A MAZDA). WE HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT OR MADE ANY MODIFICATIONS TO THE CAR. IT JUST STARTED TO LEAK UNCONTROLLABLY. THEY ALSO REFUSED TO FIX THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER(WHICH IS UNDER THE BASE OF THE CAR) WHICH ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, BROKE ON THE FIRST USE.(WE SIMPLY FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE MANUAL WHEN REMOVING THE TIRE FROM THE HOLDER) WE CAN NOT PUT THE TIRE BACK, AND WERE TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST US 480. (AT LEAST) TO FIX IT. OUR CAR IS 6 MONTHS AND 5,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY AND WILL BE RUINED THE NEXT TIME IT RAINS AS WATER POURS INTO THE FRONT OF THE CAR INTO THE FLOORBOARDS, AFTER SOAKING THE WIRING. I SUPPOSE WE WILL HAVE TO MOVE AND BUY A GARAGE.... *JB