NHTSA Complaint #10250819 — 2004 MAZDA RX-8

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A CREAKING NOISE WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A TEAR LINE CRACK IN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IN THE SUSPENSION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN 2005 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V325000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT) AND THE MANUFACTURER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. HE BELIEVES THAT THE COMPONENT THAT WAS USED TO PREVIOUSLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS FAULTY; THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WOULD RANDOMLY ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A RUPTURED OIL COOLING LINE. DURING THE REPAIR, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE OIL PAN WAS PERFORATED AND LEAKING OIL. THE OIL PAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE OIL COOLING LINE WAS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS ALL CAUSED BY RUST. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO FIND A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE, BUT BELIEVED IT SHOULD HAVE ALSO BEEN RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.