ed_carroll
Member
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- Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD Technology Package
Edward R. Carroll
Mr. Robert T. Davis
Senior Vice President, US Operations
Mazda North American Operations
7755 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92623
September 29, 2014
Dear Mr. Davis,
After decades of purchasing vehicles bearing the Acura and Honda brands, I recently decided to purchase my first Mazda, as I was impressed by the styling and perceived value offered in your current lineup and, particularly, the companys CX-5, compact utility vehicle. Id like to share my impressions with you with regard to that purchase.
I took delivery of a 2015 model on August 10th. I opted for the Grand Touring, AWD with Technology Package. To my knowledge, I have purchased every available accessory.
Within the first few weeks of driving the vehicle, I began to notice strange activity from the infotainment system. The TomTom Navigation screen would quit, indicating that it was seeking a valid GPS signal. But that message seemed to remain on the screen, indefinitely. I found the only way to reconnect to a satellite was to pull over, shut the car down and wait ten seconds before restarting. On a recent trip to Newport, RI, I experienced moving maps, spinning vehicle icons, and on several occasions was directed to make a turn onto a road on which I was already traveling. After some research, I was able to locate a software update, which seems to have addressed many of these issues, though not the glacial pace at which this system continues to operate.
Having since reviewed various, online CX-5 owners forums, Ive learned that the problems Ive just described are neither unique, nor particularly new. One wonders why the vehicle was delivered without these updates. An ongoing problem is the safety lock feature, which prevents a passenger from entering data into the system, while the vehicle is in motion. Because the voice recognition in this system is far from accurate, Im forced to scramble at stop lights to input address information. Its extremely frustrating. The numerous steps involved render this almost impossible.
Ive discovered, as have many others, that iPod functionality is all but nonexistent with this system. Incredibly, each time I switch to iPod mode though the USB interface, the head unit must read its entire contents, as though its seeing it for the first time. I can travel nearly a mile before this process is complete. Additionally, playback always begins on the first song. Also, all too frequently, the song displayed is not the song thats actually playing. The system also fails to recognize playlists. If youd like to see examples of these problems, you need only visit YouTube. IPods have been on the market for over 13 years. The other major auto manufacturers seem to have no problem integrating this technology into their vehicles, particularly when their customers are paying a premium for it. Why cant Mazda? My current workaround is to use the iPod in aux mode, which is cumbersome and, frankly, not the functionality for which I paid.
The Bluetooth phone capabilities are also inadequate, though this is less of an issue for me. Address book entries fail to download and I have yet to see a single text message appear, much less have one read to me.
In the last week, I visited a well-respected, aftermarket audio shop in my area to address the muddy sound emanating from the Bose speaker system. Despite the Bose name, the stereo experience is very basic. Live signals sound particularly bad, whether its from HD FM or Sirius. Also, the vast majority of sound comes from the dash speakers with only muffled sound coming from the doors. The gentleman from Parkway Audio in Everett, MA informed me that in addition to offering a head unit with weak reception, Bose and Mazda went cheap by failing to include a stand-alone subwoofer with this premium package. Instead, the door speakers must provide the base. Im surprised that Bose put their name on this. Ive also noticed, brief audio dropouts, occurring for no apparent reason. Im not sure what to make of this.
The purchase of this vehicle versus an Acura RDX was part of a two-pronged strategy. Ive been enthusiastically awaiting the rollout of the fourth generation Miata. Having seen the preproduction vehicle introduced in California, I thought it would make a perfect second vehicle. But, I have to tell you that my current experience with the CX-5 is forcing me to rethink this. Im also uncomfortable recommending your brand to others, at this time.
I traded a 2007 Honda Civic Si with Navigation for this vehicle. Aside from the occasional, recommended DVD map update purchase, that system required virtually no maintenance or debugging, providing excellent stereo sound, useful and intuitive iPod handling features, and a speedier navigation interface from delivery to trade-in, using technology that was rolled out nearly a decade ago. There is absolutely no excuse for Mazda to be offering such an inferior system in a 2015 vehicle.
I have signed the Change.org petition, which outlines the problems Ive described above. Ive noticed that it contains more than 3,000 signatures. Additionally, Edmunds.com, Autoweek, CNET, Cars.com and others have documented this systems glaring design flaws.
Id like to know how and when Mazda plans to make this right.
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Edward R. Carroll
Mr. Robert T. Davis
Senior Vice President, US Operations
Mazda North American Operations
7755 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92623
September 29, 2014
Dear Mr. Davis,
After decades of purchasing vehicles bearing the Acura and Honda brands, I recently decided to purchase my first Mazda, as I was impressed by the styling and perceived value offered in your current lineup and, particularly, the companys CX-5, compact utility vehicle. Id like to share my impressions with you with regard to that purchase.
I took delivery of a 2015 model on August 10th. I opted for the Grand Touring, AWD with Technology Package. To my knowledge, I have purchased every available accessory.
Within the first few weeks of driving the vehicle, I began to notice strange activity from the infotainment system. The TomTom Navigation screen would quit, indicating that it was seeking a valid GPS signal. But that message seemed to remain on the screen, indefinitely. I found the only way to reconnect to a satellite was to pull over, shut the car down and wait ten seconds before restarting. On a recent trip to Newport, RI, I experienced moving maps, spinning vehicle icons, and on several occasions was directed to make a turn onto a road on which I was already traveling. After some research, I was able to locate a software update, which seems to have addressed many of these issues, though not the glacial pace at which this system continues to operate.
Having since reviewed various, online CX-5 owners forums, Ive learned that the problems Ive just described are neither unique, nor particularly new. One wonders why the vehicle was delivered without these updates. An ongoing problem is the safety lock feature, which prevents a passenger from entering data into the system, while the vehicle is in motion. Because the voice recognition in this system is far from accurate, Im forced to scramble at stop lights to input address information. Its extremely frustrating. The numerous steps involved render this almost impossible.
Ive discovered, as have many others, that iPod functionality is all but nonexistent with this system. Incredibly, each time I switch to iPod mode though the USB interface, the head unit must read its entire contents, as though its seeing it for the first time. I can travel nearly a mile before this process is complete. Additionally, playback always begins on the first song. Also, all too frequently, the song displayed is not the song thats actually playing. The system also fails to recognize playlists. If youd like to see examples of these problems, you need only visit YouTube. IPods have been on the market for over 13 years. The other major auto manufacturers seem to have no problem integrating this technology into their vehicles, particularly when their customers are paying a premium for it. Why cant Mazda? My current workaround is to use the iPod in aux mode, which is cumbersome and, frankly, not the functionality for which I paid.
The Bluetooth phone capabilities are also inadequate, though this is less of an issue for me. Address book entries fail to download and I have yet to see a single text message appear, much less have one read to me.
In the last week, I visited a well-respected, aftermarket audio shop in my area to address the muddy sound emanating from the Bose speaker system. Despite the Bose name, the stereo experience is very basic. Live signals sound particularly bad, whether its from HD FM or Sirius. Also, the vast majority of sound comes from the dash speakers with only muffled sound coming from the doors. The gentleman from Parkway Audio in Everett, MA informed me that in addition to offering a head unit with weak reception, Bose and Mazda went cheap by failing to include a stand-alone subwoofer with this premium package. Instead, the door speakers must provide the base. Im surprised that Bose put their name on this. Ive also noticed, brief audio dropouts, occurring for no apparent reason. Im not sure what to make of this.
The purchase of this vehicle versus an Acura RDX was part of a two-pronged strategy. Ive been enthusiastically awaiting the rollout of the fourth generation Miata. Having seen the preproduction vehicle introduced in California, I thought it would make a perfect second vehicle. But, I have to tell you that my current experience with the CX-5 is forcing me to rethink this. Im also uncomfortable recommending your brand to others, at this time.
I traded a 2007 Honda Civic Si with Navigation for this vehicle. Aside from the occasional, recommended DVD map update purchase, that system required virtually no maintenance or debugging, providing excellent stereo sound, useful and intuitive iPod handling features, and a speedier navigation interface from delivery to trade-in, using technology that was rolled out nearly a decade ago. There is absolutely no excuse for Mazda to be offering such an inferior system in a 2015 vehicle.
I have signed the Change.org petition, which outlines the problems Ive described above. Ive noticed that it contains more than 3,000 signatures. Additionally, Edmunds.com, Autoweek, CNET, Cars.com and others have documented this systems glaring design flaws.
Id like to know how and when Mazda plans to make this right.
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Edward R. Carroll
