Recall #1

[smaria]

Can you provide a source for this info, link, authorized press release etc. Thanks. (gossip) (canada)

Sure, here's the link. Sorry for not posting it before:

http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=21615

 

[fam]

Yeah but I gave in Friday under pressure of everyone here cursing me to flames
Now Im in an armPiT cruiser, boy I hate that thing.

 

[Kaian]

Sure, here's the link. Sorry for not posting it before:

http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=21615

Thanks for the info. With luck our nightmare will soon be over. I'm actually glad to hear that the cause was user stupidity for the most part. We 5-speed manual types already know not to redline the tachometer.

 

[isda65]

...and it's user stupidity...65 MPH in second gear isn't a good combination in any car.

"Mazda has determined that the cause of these fires is excessive exhaust heat caused by inadvertent operation of the vehicle in the manual mode of the automatic transmission at highway speeds in second gear. It is possible that extended high-RPM operation may cause this exhaust overheat, and a subsequent fire.

Mazda will resolve this situation with the installation of a warning label instructing customers on the proper operation of the vehicle in the M mode of the automatic transmission. In addition, a heat-shield will be added to all vehicles as well as a recalibration of the automatic transmission electronic control unit.

Mazda expects all vehicles to be repaired and returned to their owners as soon as possible. New vehicle deliveries will resume as soon as vehicles in inventory are repaired. In the interim, Mazda will provide all customers with replacement transportation at no cost."

I must admit it happened to me once. Being new to this shiftronic thingy I was trying it out one time and for some reasons I just forgot. Good thing that I was in a busy street so I didn't get to speed up to my normal city limit speed which is 50-60kph. This baby is so quiet I didn't notice that the gear was in 2nd if not for the fact that I just happened to glance at the rpm gauge and noticed the rpm was really high (4k) and that indeed there was some sort of background buzz for a minute or two now (I thought it was traffic noise). To make a long story short I was very careful the next time.

I know 2nd gear at 65mph seems stupid and all. But I wouldn't be too harsh on these people. If we consider that shiftronic technology has been around for some time now and that there are an abundance of rich stupid people who could afford cars with this technology and the fact that there has been no fire incidences reported as far as I'm concerned (correct me if I'm wrong) it would seem that Mazda is the bigger stupid here from where I stand. My point is aren't there supposed to be rpm limiters or governors nowadays in new cars (I know my 2003 Honda Accord had one)? Wasn't Mazda supposed to have factored this in already? I mean I don't think an auto company has business making cars that catches fire if you rev it too much. Lots of people have done this especially those who were just learning to drive a manual. You break the engine, yes. But to catch fire? This on a 2006 model I find it really hard to accept.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

...and it's user stupidity...65 MPH in second gear isn't a good combination in any car.

"Mazda has determined that the cause of these fires is excessive exhaust heat caused by inadvertent operation of the vehicle in the manual mode of the automatic transmission at highway speeds in second gear. It is possible that extended high-RPM operation may cause this exhaust overheat, and a subsequent fire.

Mazda will resolve this situation with the installation of a warning label instructing customers on the proper operation of the vehicle in the M mode of the automatic transmission. In addition, a heat-shield will be added to all vehicles as well as a recalibration of the automatic transmission electronic control unit.

Mazda expects all vehicles to be repaired and returned to their owners as soon as possible. New vehicle deliveries will resume as soon as vehicles in inventory are repaired. In the interim, Mazda will provide all customers with replacement transportation at no cost."

Yeah! And I purchased a 5 speed! No wonder the problem wasn't in Europe. Most of them drive stick. It also makes sense that many of us did not see the issue.

Very good news. Hopefully those who have a 5 speed won't have to wait long.

So glad it wasn't anything major.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

:wtf: Are you friggin serious!!!?!???! (argh)
We have to pay for the stupidity of a couple of dumb @$&^*! morons! (pow) (argh)

Ima kill somebody (dark)

I'm not surprised about Mazda having to save people from themselves. My wife works for an insurance company and you wouldn't believe the number of idiots that are out there. Any parent can just look at the tag on the back of any childrens toy and you'll see evidence of it. For example who in their right mind would use a bouncy seat as a floatation device?!

 

[REMillers]

LOL it is like the Thermal issue with the 8s where people would sit holding their revs for minutes on end.

 

[isda65]

More troubling questions...

Mazda has determined that the cause of these fires is excessive exhaust heat caused by inadvertent operation of the vehicle in the manual mode of the automatic transmission at highway speeds in second gear. It is possible that extended high-RPM operation may cause this exhaust overheat, and a subsequent fire.

Based on the fact that it was only us here in North America that have been affected would it be correct to say that if I drive the 5 in 2nd gear at 65mph in JAPAN or EUROPE this won't happen? I don't understand how our 5's here could be so different. I know there are differences but how can it be so that ours catches fire and theirs don't?

Mazda will resolve this situation with the installation of a warning label instructing customers on the proper operation of the vehicle in the M mode of the automatic transmission

What kind of warning I wonder. That the vehicle will catch fire if operated improperly? Jeez, this is silly. Why do auto companies even bother putting up sensors to automatically deactivate the air bag if certain conditions are not met. Why not just stick a warning on the dashboard instead!

In addition, a heat-shield will be added to all vehicles as well as a recalibration of the automatic transmission electronic control unit.

So if they're going to fix the AT ECU how are they going to do this on the standard models?

 

[the_saint]

Based on the fact that it was only us here in North America that have been affected would it be correct to say that if I drive the 5 in 2nd gear at 65mph in JAPAN or EUROPE this won't happen? I don't understand how our 5's here could be so different. I know there are differences but how can it be so that ours catches fire and theirs don't?

Emissions equipment maybe? Since different places have different standards could it be possible that there is enough of a variation in the exhaust & emissions systems on the NA version to cause the problem?
I dunno.

I wonder if an aftermarket exhaust would remedy this situation? Vroom-vroooom (ricer) lol

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Emissions equipment maybe? Since different places have different standards could it be possible that there is enough of a variation in the exhaust & emissions systems on the NA version to cause the problem?
I dunno.

I wonder if an aftermarket exhaust would remedy this situation? Vroom-vroooom (ricer) lol

I think the_saint is on the right track. There is a lot of differences between European models and NA models. Exhaust is one and bumper protection is another. Of course bumpers have no bearing on this issue.

I guess we'll see what Mazda does for the sticks among us. Maybe they think that those who drive sticks are just a smarter crew (boom07) . It's all about the ZOOm-Zoom

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Thanks for the vine (thumb)

Vine?

 

[unhappyM5owner]

Vine?

I believe vine is a metaphor for info help etc (Jim Rome sports talk radio show lingo.... he refers to his show as the jungle thus the reference to vine as in tree vine, tarzan u know?....and when someone gives him info or help he thanks him for the vine, sorry about being cryptic and no it's not wine...although I could use some at this point. I have a 5 speed and maybe we will not be as involved as AT... (cheers) So thanks for the info and have a drink... (cheers)

 

[boogaboo]

The European & Asian models also have sigificantly smaller engines (1.8L vs. 2.3L here in the US) and/or Diesel engines which probably have altogether different exhhaust systems (all this coupled with the different emmissions reqs in Europe).

So while we consider the Mazda5s across the world brother/sister vehicles, they are definitely not identical twins. Heck, check out the awesome options available on the M5 in Japan!!! I doubt we'll see much of those accessories here... (glare)

Cheers to all! (cheers)

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

I believe vine is a metaphor for info help etc (Jim Rome sports talk radio show lingo.... he refers to his show as the jungle thus the reference to vine as in tree vine, tarzan u know?....and when someone gives him info or help he thanks him for the vine, sorry about being cryptic and no it's not wine...although I could use some at this point. I have a 5 speed and maybe we will not be as involved as AT... (cheers) So thanks for the info and have a drink... (cheers)

You're very welcome.

 

[miatafied]

I wonder if an aftermarket exhaust would remedy this situation? Vroom-vroooom (ricer) lol

LOL - you know you want it!!

 

[miatafied]

Yeah! And I purchased a 5 speed! No wonder the problem wasn't in Europe. Most of them drive stick. It also makes sense that many of us did not see the issue.

Very good news. Hopefully those who have a 5 speed won't have to wait long.

So glad it wasn't anything major.

I'm thinking that we'll have to wait as long - I guess they're still installing a heat shield on EVERYONE's car - so now we have to wait for that part to arrive at the dealership. That heat shield better not make any noise! (I had a subie with a noisy heatshield - no matter how many times I tightened it - it still made this annoying buzzing from time to time)

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

I'm thinking that we'll have to wait as long - I guess they're still installing a heat shield on EVERYONE's car - so now we have to wait for that part to arrive at the dealership. That heat shield better not make any noise! (I had a subie with a noisy heatshield - no matter how many times I tightened it - it still made this annoying buzzing from time to time)

I maybe wrong but I believe the heat shields they use between the underbody and exhaust aren't made out of metal, but an insulation material sandwiched between aluminum foil. I remember seeing this on my 3 when it was up on a lift and saw it on teh underbody of the 5 as well. Pretty cool stuff.

I got to believe that it won't take long to get the part (maybe longer for the software update). My guess is that we'll be back in our 5's by next weekend.

 

[the_saint]

My guess is that we'll be back in our 5's by next weekend.

I hope so, I'm like a crackhead jonesin'for my next fix. (boom07)

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

I hope so, I'm like a crackhead jonesin'for my next fix. (boom07)

I'm actually not to anxious YET. I have to go apple picking with my son and his school on Friday. I signed up to take 4 kids so I'd rather have them get the MPV dirty .

 

[unhappyM5owner]

I'm actually not to anxious YET. I have to go apple picking with my son and his school on Friday. I signed up to take 4 kids so I'd rather have them get the MPV dirty .

I'm going to travel to Arizona on a long...road trip hopefully before we give up the MPV, bad gas mileage though.... (alright)