Irritated by Mazda Dealer! What to do or say?

[markuszoom5]

I went to the dealer to have my tires rotated, because it is cold and I don't feel like doing it in the snow. When they were done, they told me that my rear brake caliper slider pins are sticking and need lubricating, and I need a new air filter @ 15,000 miles. The brake thing costs $70 and the air filter install costs $33. I mean come on, if slider pins need greasing isn't that on Mazda because they did not put enough grease in there? This is ridiculous. It's still under warranty. It's a 2010 MZ5. Only has 15,000. I can understand the air filter.

 

[Sounbwoy]

I don't know man. I would consider that a wear item. It's not like the brakes don't DO anything... The question is: Do you think the rear brakes are sticking? Are your pads worn? brake smells? soft pedal etc? Do you wash the car and if so, do you wash the undercarriage as well? Since you have snow and salt where you are, it's much harder on everything. The car can't take care of itself.. jus' sayin'...
That said, even tho I'm in NC where winter has been practically non-existent so far, my 2010 hasn't had any issues and I have over 28,000 miles on it in just over a year.

 

[mpvue]

I'd like to know how they determined the sliders were sticking. they would need someone to depress the brake pedal while observing the calipers hanging up. OR, they thought the rotors aren't wering evenly (or showing some rust) and figured the calipers aren't compressing fully.

 

[skyhawk]

I'd like to know how they determined the sliders were sticking. they would need someone to depress the brake pedal while observing the calipers hanging up. OR, they thought the rotors aren't wering evenly (or showing some rust) and figured the calipers aren't compressing fully.[/QUOTE

There is a schedule in the owner's manual as to when you are supposed to have the brake assembly inspected and the pins lubricated.
If car is maintained as per the owner's manual, then there should be no sticking calipers. Otherwise it is should be considered a defect
or bad job during the previous maintenance. I think.

 

[ljmattox]

Curious indeed.

The official Mazda maintenance schedule, this one:

https://www.mymazda.com/MusaWeb/pdf/maint_schedules/2010_Mazda5_MS.pdf

Is silent about caliper-slider-lubrication (really: grease near the brakes? Graphite lube, perhaps...), and doesn't call for a air filter change until 60k. Unless you've been driving on gravel roads etc. quite a bit I'd want to eyeball it. Reminds me of visiting a quick-lube place where they automatically trot out your air filter to show you how dirty/ it should be replaced. One I used (in a pinch for our CX-7) trotted mine out to recommend replacing it, of course it was the one I'd just popped in the weekend before. Nice.

I'm at 57k miles on my 2010...original pads (lotsa highway miles), never "lubed", and I replaced my air filter at 50k miles as it did look fairly dirty. On my second Missouri winter, yes we have sand/salt/slush to deal with also.

Just additional data points...and that reminds me to eyeball my brakepads at the 60k service I'll do in a couple of weeks, I usually have used up at least a front set by now.

 

[Perro del Sol]

If you feel that the dealer did yo a dis-service, call Mazda USA and let them know your dissatisfaction with the dealership's service department. I would also recommend that you contact the GM of the dealership, as well as the Service Manager and voice your complaint as well and advise them that you are escalating this to Mazda. I am sure you'll get some sort of satisfaction.

 

[Maxx Mazda]

For christs sake it's not like they did the work, they told you what SHOULD be fixed and it's up to you to decide if it's worth it or not. Air filter is a no brainer. Change it to a K&N yourself and don't look back. The caliper, that's up to you.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Do not go back to that dealer unless you need warranty service. I am guessing there is no 'other' Mazda dealer around? In case you don't know, you are not limited or obligated to the dealer of purchase for warranty work. Find an independent shop and another Mazda dealer as backup.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

Is this the same one you had problems with earlier?

Do not go back to them again. If there is a problem with the brakes after 1 year like that... it is not from wear and tear. They replaced my rear shocks in warranty (at 35600 miles ) and they are considered a wear item. For poops sake they replaced a blown headlight for me for free under warranty. It is a bumper to bumper warranty.

Lubing something for you should be a nice service they perform and not charge... and an air filter is easy to replace yourself. (that reminds me... i should replace mine here soon)

Do like Perro del sol said... Talk to the manager.... then Mazda USA if that doesnt work.

I still would not go back there again.

 

[CanuckMazda5]

Looks like it was a scam to get some more money off of you. Tell them they should have showed you what needs to be done.

Also, pins needing lubrication on one wheel is not a wear item. The car has maybe two oil changes on it. As for the filter, I would replace it. No air filter lasts 60k.

 

[markuszoom5]

Found out delaer lied to me regarding brakes and air filter!!!

I called Mazda and explained that the dealer I was going to (2 mile distance) was recommending a $70 rear brake slide pin lubrication service, and a new air filter @ 15000 for $33. Mazda recommended to go to another dealer. Received paper work from new dealer (12 mile distance) that there was nothing wrong with brake slide pins and that the air filter had another 10,000 miles on it at least. Go figure...can't go to that dealer anymore due to fear of them messing up my car. Unbelievable.

 

[markuszoom5]

Definitely...

Went to another dealer. Found out nothing was wrong. Filter had another 10,0000 miles on it. Will definitely report them to Mazda. They can deal with them. I wonder if I should call general manager.

 

[markuszoom5]

That other dealer even washed my car for free. Crazy. I should have known better. I just did not want to drive 12 miles if I could go 2 miles.

 

[DKaz]

They aren't called stealerships for nothing...

And you started a new thread on this rather than updated the other one why?

 

[Rockin03mp5]

Merged the 2 threads.

Glad to know things are turning out for the better.

Maybe you should just start a thread about your adventures with you 5 and keep updating it instead of starting new threads.

 

[SuperJETT]

After that, I'd write a thank you note to the new dealer or take the service guys some donuts or something. They'll remember you then.

 

[markuszoom5]

What to do?

I posted a bad review on Google Places about the dealership that tried to nickle-and-dime me. Today I got a call from the dealership manager, from whom my family purchased 2 cars brand new. He wanted to know what happened and apologized and invited me for over for coffee on Monday to talk and to make it up to me. What should I do. Should I go or not? What is his reason. I mean, it's not his fault. It's the service manager's. He was the one that lied to me, and I exposed the lie by going to another dealership. This is too strange. I also removed the bad review because he begged me to do it. I am a nice person. I felt bad.

 

[SuperJETT]

One thing to think about. You don't owe them anything, like removing the review. You are the customer, you are the one with money to spend. Explain to him what happened and why you went somewhere else, but I'd do it on the phone. If you go in, he'll probably try to make you a super deal on a new car or something to 'make it up to you'.

 

[Robotazky]

merged the 2 threads.

Glad to know things are turning out for the better.

Maybe you should just start a thread about your adventures with you 5 and keep updating it instead of starting new threads.

lol

 

[Silentnoise713]

One thing to think about. You don't owe them anything, like removing the review. You are the customer, you are the one with money to spend. Explain to him what happened and why you went somewhere else, but I'd do it on the phone. If you go in, he'll probably try to make you a super deal on a new car or something to 'make it up to you'.

Lol lol lol lol!

On anothe note, it is good to know the manager is reading reviews and taking action.