NHTSA Complaint #10191127 — 2005 MAZDA RX-8

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA RX-8. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER TEN TIMES. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO MAKES A POPPING SOUND. WHILE DRIVING 35 TO 70 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED FAILURE WITH THE MOTOR AND STATED THAT OIL IS SEEPING INTO THE INLET TUBES. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT SHE WAS USING THE WRONG FUEL AND RECOMMENDED BURNING IT OUT. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE OVER 60,000 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THIS FAILURE IS NORMAL AND THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE MOTORS AND OIL IN THE INLET TUBE. THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $6,000 FOR A NEW MOTOR. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ASSIST THE CONTACT WITH THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE BEGAN THREE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE FIELD REPRESENTATIVE AT MAZDA STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH THE CONTACT AND REFERRED HER TO SOMEONE AT THE MAZDA CORPORATE OFFICE. THE CONTACT HAS INVOICES. THE # OF CYLINDERS AND CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.