Crooked LED tail lights pixels - 2009 CX-9

[memasterac]

I noticed this crooked LED tail lights pixels problem since the first night we drove our CX-9 off the dealer lot brand new. My wife was following the CX-9 and noticed some LED pixels does not light up as you can see in the pictures.

The bad LED pixels actually light up but they are aiming at different directions. I have to look at them directly up (from the bumper) at a close-up 2 distance then I see these LEDs light up. Why? I think its a bad manufacturing and worse QC whoever Mazda contracted out for the 2009 model year CX-9. I have seen some 2007-2008 CX-9 with good LED tail lights. The 2010+ CX-9 has redesigned LED tail lights and Mazda improved the look of LEDs.

Local Mazda (Fremont Mazda, CA) inspected this problem and found nothing wrong with it. How? At first, the service manager could not see the crooked LEDs (because they are aiming at different directions) until he put his head next to the tail lights and he found the LEDs light up. He then lied in front of my face saying nothing wrong of the LED tail lights because they light up. The service manager said the LED pixels are bouncing off different directions because the reflectors are designed to do that purpose (moon) I reported to Mazda USA corporation in hoping Mazda can take the responsibility to satisfy my request replace these LED lights under warranty but Mazda refused saying they concur the dealerships inspection. This is another reason I might not want to buy another Mazda for its bad business practice. (no)


I would ask you fellow 2007-2009 CX-9 owners to check if your tail lights look the same as mine, preferably looking at it at night straight from behind. Lets discuss.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11408643@N08/7297930538/" title="Bad LEDs Tail Lights Driver3 by memasterac, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7211/7297930538_6548c2e712_b.jpg" width="972" height="729" alt="Bad LEDs Tail Lights Driver3"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11408643@N08/7297930762/" title="Bad LEDs Tail Lights Passenger 3 by memasterac, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7101/7297930762_b7f619b798_b.jpg" width="972" height="729" alt="Bad LEDs Tail Lights Passenger 3"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11408643@N08/7297930324/" title="Bad LEDs Tail Lights Rear View2 3 by memasterac, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7096/7297930324_ae885575d0_b.jpg" width="972" height="726" alt="Bad LEDs Tail Lights Rear View2 3"></a>

 

[ceric]

So this is the "business practice of Mazda" you're complaining about in another thread.
Got it.

If I were you I would go to OakTree Mazda.
This is why.
Mazda corporate has to agree with the dealership if no evidence suggests otherwise.
If another dealership agrees with you and make a case for you, you can get it replaced free of charge.
These tail-lights are expensive (>$400) a piece. You don't replace the LEDs in it. You have to replace
the whole unit.

I will check mine for sure tonight.

I live closer to Fremont Mazda, but I DO NOT go there (been there once and that's it!).
Instead, I go to OakTree in San Jose.
That should tell you how I feel about Fremont Mazda.....

 

[memasterac]

^ ^ Any finding?

It's not just about Fremont Mazda, I have problem with how Mazda Corporate runs business compares to my experiences with other car manufactures. Mazda corporate has to agree with the dealership only if it choose to when I told them ahead of time the dealership has a history of being dishonest. Mazda's dull responsiveness is simply sub-par, period.

I also hate Fremont Mazda but it's 3 miles from my home vs. 25 miles for either OakTree or Capitol (I rate Capitol the top dealer of these three). Guess I just have to check with the other two dealerships before the factory warranty is over. Nonetheless, this CX-9 is most likely my last Mazda...

 

[ceric]

memsaterac,

I personally don't go to a combo dealership like Fremont Mazda.
Try OakTree. It makes a world of differences. Friendly advisers and
reasonable cost of services. After four years, they have not let me down.
Haven't been to Capitol. Can't comment on it.

Haven't got a chance to check out the tail lights yet...sorry.

.

 

[table5511]

This is normal, from my understanding. My tail lights are the same way. They re-designed them upside down with new led's like in 10' or something?. Personally I like our older style tail lights (and older style wheels and older style bumper, but I digress)