Mazda
For nearly a quarter of a century, television viewers have been treated to the agreeably lyrical “Zoom-Zoom” Mazda slogan promising a smooth and pleasant driving experience. But driving a Mazda is not all fun and games. Like any auto manufacturer, Mazda has seen its share of defects, leading to numerous recalls and lawsuits over the years and even as you are reading this. Learn more about this leading global automaker below, and if you find yourself experiencing problems with a Mazda vehicle under warranty that can’t be satisfactorily repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, contact Nita Lemon Law Firm in Los Angeles to explore your options with an experienced and successful California lemon law attorney.
Facts About Mazda
Mazda Motor Corporation, more commonly referred to simply as Mazda, is a Japanese automaker that has been making cars for nearly 100 years. Originally a cork-making factory founded in 1920, Mazda began producing cars in 1931 and hasn’t looked back since. Today, Mazda is one of the largest automotive manufacturers in Japan and worldwide. Globally, Mazda currently ranks 15th in the world based on volume of production, cranking out about a million and a half vehicles annually. About two-thirds of those cars are produced in Japan, while the rest are manufactured internationally, including in the United States.
The United States is currently Mazda’s biggest market, where consumers buy up more Mazdas here than in China, Europe, or even Japan itself. In fact, domestic (Japanese) sales of Mazdas presently make up little more than the company’s global sales. Despite the catchy “zoom-zoom” slogan, brand loyalty for Mazda is well below the industry average.
Mazda makes use of an unusual engine design known as the Wankel rotary engine. While the Wankel provides some advantages that provide a smoother ride for users and is cheaper to mass-produce, known disadvantages include imperfect rotor sealing and apex seal lifting that could lead to problems.
Mazda Recalls: A Partial Look
Like other major auto manufacturers, Mazda has been impacted by the massive Takata airbag recall. Faulty Takata airbag inflators have been known to degrade over time and under certain climactic conditions so that airbags do not deploy properly when needed. Even worse, the inflator’s metal casing has been known to explode, sending metal shrapnel flying into the cabin with potentially life-threatening consequences. Sixty-seven million airbags have been recalled to date, and it is known that millions of vehicles have yet to have their airbags replaced.
The Takata airbag recall affects numerous Mazda models, including the B-SERIES (model years 2004 – 2009), MAZDA6 (model years 2003 – 2013), MAZDASPEED6 (model years 2006 – 2007), MPV (model years 2004 – 2006), RX-8 (model years 2004 – 2011), CX-7 (model years 2007 – 2012), and CX-9 (model years 2007 – 2015). Some of these models were added to the recall list as recently as 2018. In particular, certain 2006 Mazda B-Series models are subject to stringent DO NOT DRIVE warnings, and owners are urged to bring their cars to the dealer as soon as possible for repair and replacement.
Airbags aside, other active Mazda recalls include serious issues such as:
- Fuel tank issues, with the possibility of engine stall or fire
- Corrosion of the parking brake actuator shaft, which could cause the parking brake to fail and fail to engage or disengage so that a parked vehicle could roll away
- A charging system issue that could cause engine stall or loss of power steering
- Risk of rupture to the fuel filler pipe in case of a crash
These defects could increase the likelihood of a crash or cause serious injuries in the event of a collision.
Most recently, 2023 models with active recalls include the CX-30 and CX-50. These vehicles may experience issues with the ABS hydraulic brakes control unit, which can reduce braking ability, increasing the stopping distance needed to stop the vehicle and heightening the risk of a crash.
Additionally, a search of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website in April 2024 showed half a dozen 2024 Mazda vehicles subject to recall for various issues that could increase the likelihood of a crash, including camera images failing to display, loss of power steering assist, unexpected shut down of engine and electric motor, and loss of vehicle control.
Contact Nita Lemon Law Firm for Help With Mazda’s Failure to Repair Vehicle Defects Under Warranty
If you own or lease a Mazda that you got in California, the state’s powerful lemon law can protect you from having to live with a vehicle with covered defects that cannot be repaired despite a reasonable number of attempts. For instance, you may have the right to a refund or replacement, along with compensation for your losses. The dedicated lemon law team at Nita Lemon Law Firm is here to help.
For a free, no-obligation consultation, please call the Nita Lemon Law Firm toll-free at 877-921-5256, submit a free case evaluation on our website at www.nitalemonlaw.com, or email us directly at nick@nitalemonlaw.com. Either way, we will personally evaluate your case and promptly respond to your inquiries. We look forward to hearing from you.
