I thought some ppl on here would be interested in this issue. I just got an official statement from Mazda N.A. Operations on this issue, I have to scan the docs to PDFs, at this point I can publish what I have. I will blacken out the personal info parts obviously...
Here is the record of the first repair attempt:
http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa321/blopez1979/firstrepairattempt_1_zps875c0a70.jpg
This was the first time I complained about the vibration, after they balanced my front wheels only, they also scratched the alloys with the impact wrench. I pointed that out to the service manager, who looked at me in disbelief as if he was already doing me a favor by allowing me into his shop. This was also the sales dealer.
Here is the record of the second repair attempt:
http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa321/blopez1979/secondrepairattempt_1_zps5f9fdb05.jpg
This time the tech felt the problem himself. Unfortunately they could not road test the vehicle after they re-balanced the tires due to "unsatisfactory road conditions." I did not want to go back to Sansone's, the service manager had called me up and asked me why I gave him unsatisfactory marks in the email survey... I thought that was unprofessional, he started to tell me how that "goes against his pay." I didn't even know that, but maybe he should have helped me out a bit more if he wanted all "5 stars".
Here is the record of the third repair attempt:
http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa321/blopez1979/thirdrepairattempt_1_zpsc9728fe0.jpg
At this point, they just wanted to get rid of me, so they had one of their "techs" drive the 5 with me. First thing I asked him was, "We are going onto the interstate, right?" He said, "No, absolutely not." He then proceeded to talk about how the Mazda5 inherently has vibration problems, which stem from several sources: The road crown, the aerodynamics of the vehicle he said were not that great because it was a wagon body, he also said that the Toyo tires were infamous for road noise (which I didn't even complain about to begin with). He refused to take it out on the highway, therefore the problem was never duplicated.
Here is my certified mail letter to Mazda North America:
http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa321/blopez1979/finalrepairdemandletter_1_zps6453debd.jpg
They called me up Monday, December 17 (yesterday) from Mazda in California, and, in a nutshell, told me that they were not going to perform a final repair because there was not enough evidence to warrant a final repair attempt. I politely requested that that be sent to me in writing, I explained to him I would need that on paper so that I could move on with the process. 15 minutes go by, my friend calls me back, saying that there would be a regional Mazda tech in the area this week, in fact, I could even bring the Mazda 5 down tonight, and they had a free loaner waiting for me, he confirmed that this would qualify as a final repair attempt. I said fine, and I was there last night to drop off the 5 after hours.
I picked up the 5 today, this is what the regional Mazda technician says:
http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa321/blopez1979/finalrepairattempt_1_zps62fe73f2.jpg
As you can see, I am back to square 1. I don't know what to do next, but, I think I will reach out to the tire manufacturer tomorrow and see what happens. I can still file for a lemon law hearing if I want, but what I really want is for this problem to be fixed.
Mazda is saying, if you buy a 2012 Mazda5 and you have steering vibration, your out of luck, buddy. That's "how they roll." LoL All-in-all, this outcome is exactly what I expected, I am not one bit surprised, I would've been surprised if they did fix the problem actually. So now I move on to the next phases. Thought this info might interest anyone else out there with the same problem.
Oh.... and don't feel bad if you do own a SHAKEY SHAKE Mazda5 because.....
http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa321/blopez1979/2012-07-21175014.jpg
Here is the record of the first repair attempt:
http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa321/blopez1979/firstrepairattempt_1_zps875c0a70.jpg
This was the first time I complained about the vibration, after they balanced my front wheels only, they also scratched the alloys with the impact wrench. I pointed that out to the service manager, who looked at me in disbelief as if he was already doing me a favor by allowing me into his shop. This was also the sales dealer.
Here is the record of the second repair attempt:
http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa321/blopez1979/secondrepairattempt_1_zps5f9fdb05.jpg
This time the tech felt the problem himself. Unfortunately they could not road test the vehicle after they re-balanced the tires due to "unsatisfactory road conditions." I did not want to go back to Sansone's, the service manager had called me up and asked me why I gave him unsatisfactory marks in the email survey... I thought that was unprofessional, he started to tell me how that "goes against his pay." I didn't even know that, but maybe he should have helped me out a bit more if he wanted all "5 stars".
Here is the record of the third repair attempt:
http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa321/blopez1979/thirdrepairattempt_1_zpsc9728fe0.jpg
At this point, they just wanted to get rid of me, so they had one of their "techs" drive the 5 with me. First thing I asked him was, "We are going onto the interstate, right?" He said, "No, absolutely not." He then proceeded to talk about how the Mazda5 inherently has vibration problems, which stem from several sources: The road crown, the aerodynamics of the vehicle he said were not that great because it was a wagon body, he also said that the Toyo tires were infamous for road noise (which I didn't even complain about to begin with). He refused to take it out on the highway, therefore the problem was never duplicated.
Here is my certified mail letter to Mazda North America:
http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa321/blopez1979/finalrepairdemandletter_1_zps6453debd.jpg
They called me up Monday, December 17 (yesterday) from Mazda in California, and, in a nutshell, told me that they were not going to perform a final repair because there was not enough evidence to warrant a final repair attempt. I politely requested that that be sent to me in writing, I explained to him I would need that on paper so that I could move on with the process. 15 minutes go by, my friend calls me back, saying that there would be a regional Mazda tech in the area this week, in fact, I could even bring the Mazda 5 down tonight, and they had a free loaner waiting for me, he confirmed that this would qualify as a final repair attempt. I said fine, and I was there last night to drop off the 5 after hours.
I picked up the 5 today, this is what the regional Mazda technician says:
http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa321/blopez1979/finalrepairattempt_1_zps62fe73f2.jpg
As you can see, I am back to square 1. I don't know what to do next, but, I think I will reach out to the tire manufacturer tomorrow and see what happens. I can still file for a lemon law hearing if I want, but what I really want is for this problem to be fixed.
Mazda is saying, if you buy a 2012 Mazda5 and you have steering vibration, your out of luck, buddy. That's "how they roll." LoL All-in-all, this outcome is exactly what I expected, I am not one bit surprised, I would've been surprised if they did fix the problem actually. So now I move on to the next phases. Thought this info might interest anyone else out there with the same problem.
Oh.... and don't feel bad if you do own a SHAKEY SHAKE Mazda5 because.....
http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa321/blopez1979/2012-07-21175014.jpg
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