Class-Action Suit Over Lack of Advertised Real-Time Traffic

[arunka007]

My 2014 always reports and shows real time traffic issues and offers alternate routes. I have ignored the warnings to see if it was indeed real time and have gotten stuck. I keep my NAV set to ask me instead of automatically taking me through the detours. A little annoying, but does the job very well. I would assume the new Mazda connect in the 2016 performs even better.

That's exactly how its supposed to work. However, in 2016, Mazda took a step backwards and disconnected the real-time traffic info from routing. This means you can see the traffic info and routes separately, but the routing is not based on real time updates. I have been in situations where the traffic updates screen showed heavy traffic (red) and still the navigation screen asked me to take those routes.

So i end up using Google Maps most of the time.

 

[Buzzer777]

Still like Waze...

That's exactly how its supposed to work. However, in 2016, Mazda took a step backwards and disconnected the real-time traffic info from routing. This means you can see the traffic info and routes separately, but the routing is not based on real time updates. I have been in situations where the traffic updates screen showed heavy traffic (red) and still the navigation screen asked me to take those routes.

So i end up using Google Maps most of the time.

I have found Waze (free app) to be easier and way BETTER! Only use the TomTom traffic if I do not have my phone in the car. When I moved to Reno (30+ yrs ago, you hardly even saw another car, more or less traffic...NOW it is *&*%^&, and you do need some type of app!

 

[arunka007]

I have found Waze (free app) to be easier and way BETTER! Only use the TomTom traffic if I do not have my phone in the car. When I moved to Reno (30+ yrs ago, you hardly even saw another car, more or less traffic...NOW it is *&*%^&, and you do need some type of app!

Google acquired Waze few months back. The data from Waze (except cop car spotting) is synced with Google Maps and used for rerouting.

 

[johnny_boy02]

Isn't this something you should have figured out before you bought? Talking about lawsuits over "real time" traffic sounds silly. And besides it won't even be a problem once you realize how horrible the GPS is anyway.

 

[TheGanzman]

Isn't this something you should have figured out before you bought? Talking about lawsuits over "real time" traffic sounds silly. And besides it won't even be a problem once you realize how horrible the GPS is anyway.

Agreed! As an "Old Timer" at almost 60 years old, I continue to be AGHAST at how quickly people scream "Lawsuit" at the slightest little inconvenience! And as someone who has (inadvertently) been on the receiving end of a class action lawsuit settlement, I can tell ya' - don't go spending your settlement $ ahead of time! I think I got a whopping SIXTY-SEVEN CENTS after all the smoke cleared and the dust settled...

As my Dad used to say: "Worry about something ELSE!"(rolleyes)

 

[Dr Kev]

Thanks for pointing out this disclaimer. However, you can't disclaim away all liability. As of now, at a minimum, the claim in the brochure is false.

I assume there is some sort of contract dispute with the intended traffic report provider. Mazda does not want to pay their price. Problem is we are being held hostage in this situation. We need to make noise. At a minimum, file a complaint with the FTC. Raise our voices on this forum. Complain loud enough so you when you Google the subject, it is clear to all that there is a problem. Mazda needs to reach a settlement and enable this promised feature.

I hate to burst your bubble but, yeah, the disclaimer IS a very effective form of legal CYA for Mazda.

 

[REDOTTERRICH]

Forgive me for not having sources (there are various posts and claims that are searchable), but I have come across claim that the reason we weren't offered real-time traffic in the NAV system was because of a contract disagreement with the provider in the US. Thus, Mazda yanked that portion. Hackers have successfully been able to turn wifi back on, and some have claimed that you can use your phone as the car's hotspot and the connection will update the traffic and gas price listing, but I don't mess with that bit.

I would like to believe that Mazda will offer this with a CarPlay/Android connectivity, as M Connect has the hardware for it and I truly hope that this will be offered as a system update, but we will see. Some have claimed the V55 of Connect has some coding believed to be geared towards CarPlay.

 

[chillinzx]

My 2012 4Runner Limited has nav, xm, traffic, etc... Mine works off the SirusXM broadcast, but it ONLY does major tollways across America. So it is useless for my daily commute.

 

[arunka007]

Forgive me for not having sources (there are various posts and claims that are searchable), but I have come across claim that the reason we weren't offered real-time traffic in the NAV system was because of a contract disagreement with the provider in the US. Thus, Mazda yanked that portion. Hackers have successfully been able to turn wifi back on, and some have claimed that you can use your phone as the car's hotspot and the connection will update the traffic and gas price listing, but I don't mess with that bit.

I would like to believe that Mazda will offer this with a CarPlay/Android connectivity, as M Connect has the hardware for it and I truly hope that this will be offered as a system update, but we will see. Some have claimed the V55 of Connect has some coding believed to be geared towards CarPlay.

That'll be awesome. Imagine getting Google Maps on that screen.

 

[MikeM.]

Yeah, my real-time traffic works (2013 CX-5) but it's on a TomTom GPS which is so close to useless I never turn it on.

 

[ExBrooklyn]

I just put up an online petition after calling Mazda Connect and being told that while they are "working on it" they cannot say if or when the real time traffic will be re-enabled. If we can get enough signatures we can send it to Mazda and perhaps it'll light a fire under their butts. We paid good money for something that should be FULLY functional. The petition is at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/live-traffic-in-2016-mazdas.

 

[erhayes]

Difficult to believe people would subscribe to this frivolous type of lawsuit.

 

[RG_Flyer]

Difficult to believe people would subscribe to this frivolous type of lawsuit.

Agreed. Happy with my simple CX-5. No half-baked gadgetry to fool with, exactly as I like it.

I am not adverse to technology, I work with some of the most advanced in the world. I just don't care for emerging consumer-based tech rushed to the market in an attempt to gain market share with the millennials.

 

[Rarebit]

I'm all for holding mfrs accountable, but having used a smartphone mounted on the dash with a live traffic app, I can't agree that it's a dangerous distraction. It's no more dangerous or distracting than a built in GPS.

 

[rwortman]

Good grief. I just want the USB interface to remember the song it was playing all instead of some of the time and not take 5 minutes to browse. OTOH, its a minor annoyance in an otherwise wonderful car. I am just not going focus on the few bugs and get my panties all in a bunch over it. Lawsuit? Really? We are really becoming a nation of crybabies.

 

[GAXIBM]

This is petition, not a lawsuit. I traded a 2013 CX-5 that modified my arrival time and offered alternate routes which is very useful in the Atlanta Area.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/l...in-2016-mazdas

 

[MikeM.]

Lawsuit? Really? We are really becoming a nation of crybabies.

True. When I started driving "real time traffic" was what you saw out your window and a "seat heater" was your butt!

 

[Xoqo]

This is petition, not a lawsuit. I traded a 2013 CX-5 that modified my arrival time and offered alternate routes which is very useful in the Atlanta Area.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/l...in-2016-mazdas

Sorry, but OP called for a lawsuit, so even though it has evolved to something better, we must all respond with righteous indignation!

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Yeah, my real-time traffic works (2013 CX-5) but it's on a TomTom GPS which is so close to useless I never turn it on.

My Tom Tom seems to work well in the urban areas. At least through the urban I-5 & I-405 corridors. I don't need it anywhere else. It also appears to be more accurate than the XM Navtraffic I have in my Infiniti. The XM NavTraffic shines when I am over the mountains coming back as it will show the backups far earlier than the "FM radio" based traffic system in the Mazda.

 

[MikeM.]

My Tom Tom seems to work well in the urban areas. At least through the urban I-5 & I-405 corridors. I don't need it anywhere else. It also appears to be more accurate than the XM Navtraffic I have in my Infiniti. The XM NavTraffic shines when I am over the mountains coming back as it will show the backups far earlier than the "FM radio" based traffic system in the Mazda.

Oh, my TomTom works but it's nearly useless for two reasons:
1) it's nearly impossible to build custom routes with it, especially complex ones.
2) The map view does not show enough detail in rural areas when zoomed out. Roads don't show up, road names don't show up. Yes, they are there if you zoom in but they disappear again when you zoom out to see what those roads connect to. Actually, this is a big problem in urban areas also.