The handling/steering of my Mazda3 Sport GT worsened dramatically after a badly botched wheel alignment. Numerous attempts to solve the problem through the dealer were unsuccessful. Basically, they (including the District Service Manager) told me that I'd gotten a bad taste in my mouth after the botched wheel alignment and was merely looking for things to be dissatisfied with. So, I took the vehicle to a well-respected independent shop with state-of-the-art laser wheel alignment equipment. They corrected the front camber, rear toe angles and thrust angle (an improvement). They also advised that vehicle handling was being compromised by the wrong speed rating of winter tires. My original all-season tires are 205/50R17 "V's". The Mazda dealer was supposed to install Toyo Garits ("H's"). Instead, they installed Observe G-02 plus tires ("T's"), intended for the worst of Canadian winter driving conditions (our winter roads are usually bare and dry). In addition, the tires they installed are the correct size for a Mazda6 (205/60R16), not a Mazda3.
When the local dealer stopped responding to my phonecalls/emails, I contacted Mazda's Customer Relations Department, providing pages of documentation (including an email from the tire manufacturer describing, in detail, exactly why the winter tires are not right for my vehicle). I expected a speedy resolution to a problem that has been dragging on for almost five months. Instead, the customer relations rep advised it is my fault the Mazda dealer installed the wrong tires. I don't have anything in writing proving this dealership's winter tire package included Toyo Garits. The fact that the tires are also the wrong size apparently holds no weight either since "they are not dangerous".
Do any Calgary (Alberta, Canada) Mazda3 owners have a copy of a "Centre Street North" dealership's winter tire promotion material specifying Toyo Garits for the Mazda3? If so, I'd love to get a copy (could be from 2004 or 2005).
Has anyone had experience dealing with the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan? This is suggested in Mazda's manual as the way to proceed if a customer concern cannot be resolved through Mazda's Customer Satisfaction Program. At this point, I'm so disillusioned I suspect they, too, are involved in this "cover each other's butt" program.
Apart from shelling out for another set of winter tires, my only options appear to be: getting a television consumer advocate involved, the Better Business Bureau, small claims court, etc.
Suggestions on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
When the local dealer stopped responding to my phonecalls/emails, I contacted Mazda's Customer Relations Department, providing pages of documentation (including an email from the tire manufacturer describing, in detail, exactly why the winter tires are not right for my vehicle). I expected a speedy resolution to a problem that has been dragging on for almost five months. Instead, the customer relations rep advised it is my fault the Mazda dealer installed the wrong tires. I don't have anything in writing proving this dealership's winter tire package included Toyo Garits. The fact that the tires are also the wrong size apparently holds no weight either since "they are not dangerous".
Do any Calgary (Alberta, Canada) Mazda3 owners have a copy of a "Centre Street North" dealership's winter tire promotion material specifying Toyo Garits for the Mazda3? If so, I'd love to get a copy (could be from 2004 or 2005).
Has anyone had experience dealing with the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan? This is suggested in Mazda's manual as the way to proceed if a customer concern cannot be resolved through Mazda's Customer Satisfaction Program. At this point, I'm so disillusioned I suspect they, too, are involved in this "cover each other's butt" program.
Apart from shelling out for another set of winter tires, my only options appear to be: getting a television consumer advocate involved, the Better Business Bureau, small claims court, etc.
Suggestions on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
