NHTSA Complaint #10238380 — 2008 MAZDA CX-7

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN HE PLACED THE GEAR INTO PARK, IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL OF THE VEHICLES DO NOT LOCK IN PARK AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE GEAR SHIFT MOVES WHILE THE ENGINE IS ON AND THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. THE CONTACT HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR THREE WEEKS. ANOTHER DRIVER EXITED THEIR VEHICLE AND THOUGHT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AFTER SHE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE GEAR FAILED TO LOCK INTO PLACE AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS ABNORMAL, BUT ALL OF THE VEHICLES OPERATE IN THAT MANNER AND THERE MAY BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE CONTACT AND SERVICE MANAGER ALSO OBSERVED SEVERAL VEHICLES THAT WERE DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE CONTACT IS ALSO WAITING ON A DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER TO CALL HIM BACK. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE OWNER'S MANUAL DID NOT INDICATE THAT THERE MAY BE DIFFICULTY WITH THE GEAR SHIFT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE REAR END BUMPER AND TAILGATE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 700 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 760. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/11/08.*JB