NHTSA Complaint #10280643 — 2004 MAZDA RX-8

IN JUNE OF 2005, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS INFORMING ME THAT MY VEHICLE HAD AN INHERENT SAFETY ISSUE CONCERNING THE ENGINE AMONG OTHER THINGS. I TOOK THE CAR FOR A CHECK AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR CHECKED OUT FINE. IN AUGUST 2006, MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE CAR BECAUSE THE INHERENT DEFECT DOES NOT NECESSARILY SHOW UP IMMEDIATELY BUT MAY SHOW UP MUCH LATER. IN MY CASE IT SHOWED UP IN JUNE OF 2008. THE CAR STARTED RUNNING HOT, THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THE CAR WOULD IDLE HIGH AT A STOP LIGHT. ONCE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF, THE COOLING FAN WOULD CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MAZDA DEALER WHO STATED THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE INVOICE INDICATED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS AUTHORIZED AMONG OTHER THINGS. AFTER THAT INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE RAN ALRIGHT UP UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST 2009 WHEN THE SAME ISSUES REAPPEARED. SUPPOSEDLY, THEY INSTALLED AN NEW ENGINE BUT APPARENTLY THAT WAS NOT TRUE. ON AUGUST 16, 2009, I DROPPED THE CAR OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM OR THE GIVE ME ANOTHER CAR. THIS CAR HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I WANT MAZDA TO GIVE ME ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE I JUST DON'T TRUST DRIVING THE ONE WITH THE DEFECT. *TR