Worrying recall of RX8\'s in the states.....

[Carl]

As the title says,some 27,800 RX8\'s are to be recalled in the states.
see the link.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls04/2005/mazda_rx8.html
Wonder if UK cars are affected?
Regards
Carl

[iaint]

Pretty scary.  One would hope that Mazda UK would do the recall is needed.  I suspect that the suspension parts may be different here as our roads tend to be bumpier so they\'d need to be tougher.

On the other hand it seems strange i this day-and-age of globalisation and platform sharing that they\'d be different.

Would have thought word would\'ve got round here though if there was a problem...

[BlueAdept]

There are a number of US TSB\'s and such that I firmly believe do apply to UK cars... but they have yet to admit to any of them..

I\'ve not seen this particular one, but there is one about excess heat affecting fuel tanks and I fail to see how it can not apply, unless they plan to argue that since the UK climate is cooler than some parts of the US, the issue of excess heat from the midpipe as it passes the (plastic) fuel tank is offset by the ambient air temperature.

I have looked and there is a metal heat shield, but I understood that they were fitting heat resistant matting to this area also... anyone got any further details on either of these?

Racing beat users beware, the RB pipe is larger diameter and hence possibly closer to the shield... however, that is probably more than offset by the fact that it will radiate heat much less efficiently because it is shiny and made of stainless steel... rather than dull and mat brown rust coloured like the standard one.

[MikeLMR]

The US got an earlier batch of RX8\'s  than the UK didn\'t it ? (its unlikely that the LHD cars are built on the exact same line ?) so its possible that the UK\'s later delivery means that these 28\'000 don\'t fall within the UK production.

[iaint]

Good point Mike - I think we\'re more likely to be in line with the Jap/Oz models so their recalls may be more appropriate.  I guess you can only ask Mazda though and take them at their word.

[Ianmcurtis]

Having just read the thread AND then speaking to a chap who had this very thing happen to his UK rx8, I phoned my local (Watford) Mazda dealers service desk.

The guy there is v. helpful, he read me the content of the letter Mazda have sent to dealers over the phone. I gave him my VIN and my it turns out my 8 will be on the recall list. Not only for the suspension but also for extra heat insulation for the fuel tank - which I\'d not even heard of.

Mazda are saying \'no reports of failures in UK\' - but I have a feeling that some more of you out there may know the chap who\'s front wheel came off? No names mentioned of course - so if you don\'t know, please don\'t ask.
 Naughty Mazda. :flamed  :mad:

Makes you wonder just what they WANT to tell  :xconfused .

No more cornering fun for me - at least until the works been done.

Ian.

[BlueAdept]

Hmmm... when was your car delivered...  I guess mine could be on the same list.

[zevans]

Well, there is a chap on the RX8 owner\'s club who had a problem with suspension collapse that looks strangely similar. There was a LONG thread (long screenwise and in terms of time) and then he refused to comment further after a certain point in discussions.

Note I am carefully choosing not to comment on the lack of comments!

The club liasion officer is talking to Mazda about it...

[Carl]

I am glad that I posted the link on this now,playing with peoples lives is not good.
Regards
Carl

[Ianmcurtis]

James,my car was registered in January 2004, being the 2nd owner I aquired it around the end of Feb (ish), so no idea when the car came into the UK.

Best advice I can give is do what I did and get the VIN (easily done as it\'s visible through the windscreen) then phone your particular dealer. If they don\'t want to help, phone Milcars at Watford on 01923257777, service desk.

Zack, I\'m not a member of the owners club and don\'t know the thread - but you may well  be correct. As for the liaison chap, no disrespect meant, but my advice to all 8 owners, don\'t wait, just do what I\'ve done. Lets face it, Mazda don\'t even acknowledge the fact that this HAS happened already.

Carl, nice one for posting this. Like I\'ve said already, it also turns out that there is a insulation recall for some models also - and I wouldn\'t have found out about that if not for your post, prompting me to phone Mazda.

Cheers  :cheers

Ian.

[DaveCollins]

My normal reference site for US bulletins is:

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/rx8/bulletins_index.html

can\'t see anything there, but I will be phoning the garage tomorrow!

[ayrton012]

Well guys, I called the Mazda importer here in Hungary, after I red the thread. They said the recall is true, but they need time to preparate the "action",that will takes about 2 weeks, so I have to wait 2 more weeks in worry,knowing my car is OK or not.
They have a list about which VIM numbers are in the recall action( but he didn\'t say more) , so not every RX-8 involved in it.
Maybe the problem is not so dangeorus, if they can wait two more weeks with the recall. I hope so!

[annon]

then he refused to comment further after a certain point in discussions.
...

I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision to make. However if he was presented with the choice of continued legal action (bearing in mind the car had been off the road for nearly three months at this time) or signing a gagging order in return for getting the car fixed, well - what would you have done?

I’ve seen a report carried out by an independent engineer, and from the description and photos this is exactly as described in the recall notice.

[Ianmcurtis]

Annon, I totally agree with you - its a fcuk*** shame that Mazda took the stance they did over this potentially life endagering episode with the guy. I\'ve met him and he is a genuine, nice fella so Mazda were and are, out of order on this. The dealers will only do what Mazda tell them, so can\'t blame them - and lets not forget who owns Mazda  :flamed .

As for gagging orders........... I\'m off on hol in a weeks time and I will not be a happy bunny if there\'s not a recall letter waiting for me by the time I\'m back.

Knowing my 8 is on the list is a two edged sword. Good to know but worrying at the same time as I use it daily, like many other owners.

TBH I\'m v surprised at the lack of response to this thread from 8 owners, given that there are potentially 15,000 affect vehicles.

[DaveCollins]

For those who haven\'t seen text from US here it is:

Make: MAZDA
Model: RX8
Type: PASSENGER CAR
Year: 2004
Recall Number: 05V325000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER FORGING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, CRACKS MAY OCCUR IN THE BALL JOINT SOCKET.
Consequence:
IN SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE BALL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE BALL JOINT SOCKET AND A LOSS OF STEERING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Notes:
MAZDA RECALL NO. 3405G. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://www.safercar.gov.


also attached is image of dealer note.  From reading thread on US forum it apears that problem may have first occurred in Japan/Australia.  Also seems to affect cars made before 11/05/04 Vin 148788.  

Now the question is are VIN numbers on UK cars out of the same sequence as US with just different letters at the start, mine certainly is a number 101xxx and was manufactured on 03/09/03.  Anyone know the answer on VIN ranges?

Dave