Lemon Law??

[airwolf727]

I took my MS6 in for the PCM reprograming recall and I got them to check out something else I was concerned with.

I'm getting a oscalating vibration in 6th gear at around 2500 RPM. I had the shop foreman at the dealership go for a ride and he noticed the problem and scheduled me to bring it in the next week...Took it in and after he talked with Mazda about the problem. Mazda said they know about the problem but have yet determined what is causing the problem. They have changed out drive shafts, transfer cases..etc but did not fix the problem. They even went as far as taking off parts of a affected MS6 and installed them on a MS6 that wasn't having the problem to try to figure out where the problem is coming from. No luck...

My question is: Can I use the Lemon Law here?? It is a problem that can't be fixed as of now and who knows how long it will take. The Service Advisor said call back around 60 days if he hasn't called me. Should I give them a chance to fix this or can I use the Lemon Law in my favor here. I love the car but I don't want a car that has a problem and no telling what effects it has had on the engine so far and or the future.

Does anyone have suggestions on what I should do? Has anyone had experience with a Lemon Law ,or what kind of problems would I expect if I go to the dealership or Mazda saying that I want a new MS6 or a refund?

[Sigma]

Well, the problem has to be something that significantly impacts the resale value or safety of the car. I doubt it qualifies as something safety-related, but depending on the extent of the problem you could certainly argue on the first one.

But going Lemon Law isn't easy. You don't just walk into a dealership and ask for a new car. It involves getting a lawyer and what will amount to many months of arbitration. If Mazda comes up with a fix for the problem in the meantime you could be out whatever the lawyer wants for the time he invested in the car. Only you can decide if the problem is severe enough to warrant that, given the fact that Mazda does seem intent on fixing the problem they just don't know how quite yet.

[CreatureCore]

Call the 1800 number for this you dont pay a penny. My friend had a 2005 mustang he bought new. His brakes made a noise when ever he used them. They tried fixing it 3 times and didnt get anywhere. The lemon law lawyer that was provided to him eventually got him 6k for his trouble. So if the lemon law will work for something that insignificant im sure itll work here.

[airwolf727]

Thanks for the info... I wonder who takes the loss on a lemon car. The dealership or the manufacturer.

I got a phone call from the local dealership shop foreman today and he told me more about what was going on. He talked to a Mazda engineer that was already on the project to fix this problem. He said that there were others out there that had the same problem. The engineer had narrowed it down to the transmission but there isn't any extra transmissions sitting around to ship. So I'm guessing they are looking to see what parts inside the trans that they can replace to fix the problem if that is indeed the problem. I told the foreman I don't mind waiting for them to find the fix to the problem but if it turns into a month or two then I might have to look into the lemon law lawyer.

I have been very impressed with the dealership taking a quick response to this problem and keeping me informed about the progress so far. Now that is what I call a dealership that takes care of it's customers.

[chrman]

Just curious what your vibration is like. I have noticed many times something that may be similar.

When i am in 6th gear off the throttle between say 2000 and 2400 RPM, i get a buzzing vibration that starts off mild but after a few seconds the harmonics kick in and the whole car gets a very slight, fast paced buzzing feeling. I had assumed that it was probably something to do with the turbo since this is my first turbo car and i don't know any better, but i was also thinking it could be something like an unbalanced drive-shaft.

In my case it is a mild annoyance and i can get rid of it by either blipping the gas or shifting out of that RPM range.

[airwolf727]

The vibration is like a oscalating harmonic. I guess is the best way to describe it as running over rumble strips that last about 1 second on and 1 second off. I can hear it more than feel it through the car. I get it mostly in 6th gear when the RPM drop just below 2500. I have also felt it in 3rd and 5th but not as bad and is hard to notice. I also can get rid of it either by downshifting to 5th or just increase the RPM above 2500.

I will post an update when I hear something about a fix or get an update from the dealership.

[Bush]

I have a similar situation going on with my speed 6. The vibration seems to be at 60 mph +or- , Pulling the E-brake just a little stops it. See the posts on drive train whine.

I had taking the car to get the noise fixed and they ended up replacing every part back of the transmission with no luck. Two weeks of driving a cobalt around left a sour note. Anyway the dealer has my car today and is installing new everything from the driveshaft to the engine including a new flywheel. At least this time they got me a v6 6 instead of a cobalt

[chrman]

How would you describe something like that to the dealer. I have found that it doesn't always happen so it may be difficult to reproduce. Interesting that hitting the e-brake gets rid of it, that suggests it's something in the rear end i guess.

[airwolf727]

Update......

I'm taking my car in tomorrow to get the tranny replaced. I was told that the Mazda Engineer working on the problem determined replacing the tranny solved the problem. I hate that I have to have my engine pulled and installed. I'm sure that the engine has to be removed for this fix.

I had to wait a few weeks for the transmission to arrive from Japan. Hope it takes care of the problem.

I also have a noise coming from my sterring column when I slightly turn the wheel to the right. Getting them to fix that too.

I absolutely still love the car. I would of liked to seen a AT opition. Just not to pleased with the manual trans and clutch feel.

[chrman]

I took my car in for the flash 2 weeks ago (and ironically got the notification yesterday). When i had it in i asked the dealer to take a look at it and he couldn't re-create the problem. It is intermittent enough that it could take 4 or 5 tries for him to feel it himself. Any thoughts? Does yours do it every time, or just sometimes?

[airwolf727]

Wow, I got my notification for the recall a month or two ago. Strange...

I talked to the shop foreman when dropping my car off and asked him more about the problem and what Mazda said. He said other dealerships have replaced drive shafts, rear ends and other parts trying to fix the problem. The tranny replacement is the only fix so far and I'm not sure they really know what the problem is b/c if it was a gear or part in the tranny then they would replace that instead of repalcing the whole trans. which probably costs over 5K.

I went on a drive with the shop foreman and pointed it out to him and he heard it. At first when I tried to explain the noise he looked at me like I was crazy. After the drive he was determined to find the problem and call Mazda.

When I dropped it off today I also told the service advisor about the clicking in the steering column. He couldn't hear it until I pointed it out to him.

My advice to you would be go on the test drive with the shop foreman and point out the problem. Mine does it all the time in 6th gear around 2500RPM. I have also noticed it in 3rd around the same RPM. If you can't recreate the problem for him. I would ask him to call Mazda since they so know of the problem. If not then you can email Mazda through the website and I'm sure you will get answers then. Will post after I get the car back and see if the problem is fixed. He said should take a day maybe two.

[ericzoom]

[quote="airwolf727"]Wow, I got my notification for the recall a month or two ago. Strange...

When I dropped it off today I also told the service advisor about the clicking in the steering column. He couldn't hear it until I pointed it out to him.



I also had the clicking noise in the steering column, and it ended up being the clockspring. Annoying problem fixed. :D

[airwolf727]

I can't really hear it unless the windows are up and it's quiet. Hope it's the last thing to fix so I can do some mods. I love the fact that it all gets fixed for free. I hate to leave my car somewhere. I park out away from everyone when I can. the shop foreman did say that the Mazda engineer said that the MS6 was a very complex car mostly b/c of the AWD system.

When I bought my MS6 there was about 10 others to choose from now I t hink they don't have any. I'm sure the rebate and price reduction helped that out. I could of saved around 3k more if I waited a few months longer. To me it would be awesome if they had the option to make it automatic and have the sport shift or even padel shifters on the steering wheel.

[airwolf727]

I just got a call from the serice manager telling me that the transmission swap did not fix the vibration problem. Now, Mazda is flying in two engineers to try and find out what is causing the problem.

I joked to the service manager to just tell Mazda to ship me a loaded GT, that should take care of all the inconvence. LOL..He just laughed.

I wonder if all this work will go against the value of the car? If I traded it in even, since there will be a car fax record on it.

[slowazz28]

Hey airwolf727, Just wondering if you had heard anything on your ms6 lately? My dealer in Shreveport, LA. acts like yeah we hear it but they'd rather not try to fix it. They supposedly called mazda about it (the vibration) but thats as far as it went. I think something went wrong on the production line as these cars came down it and the diff. or something towards the rear of the car got outta line because it doesn't seem to affect all ms6's. Hell, that might be a good poll question who knows?

[chrman]

I wonder how much that 3-segment drive shaft plays in that. Seems like that would be an unstable design to begin with.

[airwolf727]

Sorry slowazz28. I just got my car back a few days ago and wanted to give some road miles before I posted.

The vibration is gone! They had 3 Mazda engineers fly in and work on my car. It seems my car was one of four with the problem but the transmission R&R fixed the others but mine it did not. Reason for the engineers. One engineer was the one who programmed the PCM for the CX-7. I was told that there were two different vibrations. They replaced the transmission, clutch, flywheel, rear differential, and both rear axles.

I don't know if it has just been the 2 weeks of driving a POS loaner car but it seems like my car drives so much better than it did. I notice a different power band in 5th and 6th gear. I can also more clearly hear the turbo, something I didn't hear before.

I don't understand why your dealership is being hard to deal with since Mazda pays them for all warrenty work. It cost mazda over 13k to fix my car and that was their cost.
If they hear the problem then they have to fix it. I would suggest talking to the dealership again and if they don't make an effort then call or email Mazda about your problem. I know I didn't pay that much for a car for a vibration.

I like to say, I'm very pleased with my dealership and Mazda for taking care of the problem. Best customer service I have ever received from anywhere.

The clicking noise in the steering column was the combination switch.

[Bush]

I've had my spd6 in three times now. The vibration is gone. They attributed that to a wobble in the flywheel. New tranny, new flywheel, axles, and on the third rear diff, which happens to be the Mazda reps rear diff. I still have the 45 mph rear end noise, and have given up. Mazda gets their car back in 19 months. And I’ll buy a Honda or something next time.

[airwolf727]

After almost a month of having my car back, I can say most of the vibration is gone. I still get a vibration in 3rd but not really noticable but it is there. I don't know if I can take it in and claim the vibration. I do love the car, how it rides, the engine, the quaity build, taking the corners sharp. But the transmission, clutch, rear diff. seems it have issues. I had a Acura TL a few years ago and I should of kept it. MIght look into getting a used one later after the winter. Want to see how the MS6 handles in the snow. I look at my car and I'm proud to own it but when it comes to shifting and dealing with the vibration I'm ready to trade it in.

[airwolf727]

I have had my car back for about 5 weeks now and I'm pleased with the dealership taking care of my vibration issues with no problem. Now I'm getting a vibration in 3rd gear..Not as strong as the other but it is there and aggravating. Will try and take it back and see what they say. To update later...