Recall and TSB information

[Absent-Minded]

Okay, so I just completed a 28 minute call with a Mazda Customer Assistance Specialist (800-222-5500) regarding any recalls or TSB's for my MS3. No recalls, but they can't tell me if there are any TSB's because they don't have access to technical data. According to them, TSB data is not public information and dealers have the right to withhold that information.

So why this inquiry? Well, my local dealer has opted to not share any TSB information that may be associated with my vehicle. It has been explained to me that if I feel or think something is wrong with the vehicle, they will happily perform a diagnostic/inspection. However, if they find/deem nothing wrong with the vehicle, there will be a service charge of $99, plus a tools/parts surcharge (% of svc charge), and tax. Vehicle concerns shoved aside, it's business as usual to bring it on in for oil changes, rotations, and other scheduled maintenance. So this dealer does not seem interested in doing anything more than they absolutely have to, unless it ends up costing the customer.

What does Mazda Customer Assistance have to say? They put me on hold and called the dealer themselves to see about some type of resolution. And the resolution is... <<drum roll>>.... Mazda stands behind the dealers decision.

There may be a CWP MS3 GT up for sale very soon if this dealer situation doesn't get worked out. The next closest dealer is 120 miles from here (yes, I checked).

I would really like to see a list or repository of TSB's that could be had for our or any vehicle. Something that may help the consumer combat these types of things.

BTW... many apologies mods if I posted this in the wrong section. I figured most TSB/recall info would be engine, tranny, or drivetrain related.

 

[cosmic_spd3]

You know i called my dealer today to set up an appt to do this reflash and they told me there wasn't any for my car..He said he pulled my Vin and he didnt see anything..but when i checked that bulletin posted my car falls with in the time and vin that is required for the reflash....pretty strange....hmmmmmmm

 

[Munnugles]

y not bring in the bulletin that gets posted up here... see what they have to say? as long as its in the vin range i guess they cant really say anything

 

[smakdown61]

Print out the TSB for the reflash thats on here and bring it in. Show them that your VIN is clearly part of the TSB and say that you feel the hesitation symptoms. If I recall it correctly, it doesn't say anywhere that the dealer has to verify the symptoms. If they give you s***, call up mazda corporate right there on the spot and tell them this dealer is refusing to fix the issues with their car.

 

[Rubasu]

You have to complain about the symptoms in the tsb before the dealer will do anything. Just because your car falls into the vin range does not mean you have the problem so asking them to look for a flash for your car will not amount to anything because unless they hear you have the problem listed in the tsb and they verify it they can't do the tdb or get paid by mazda for the warranty labor. Also again I stress the servive writer knows nothing. when they look up your vin all they see are outstanding recalls not the tsbs that are out there for the car they are usually accessable by the tech

 

[Absent-Minded]

You have to complain about the symptoms in the tsb before the dealer will do anything. Just because your car falls into the vin range does not mean you have the problem so asking them to look for a flash for your car will not amount to anything because unless they hear you have the problem listed in the tsb and they verify it they can't do the tdb or get paid by mazda for the warranty labor. Also again I stress the servive writer knows nothing. when they look up your vin all they see are outstanding recalls not the tsbs that are out there for the car they are usually accessable by the tech

Spot on right there.

I have an appointment on Monday to do the trans fluid replacement (to Amsoil), the Bose stereo issue, rattling from forward dash area near windshield, and the printed out TSB for reflash.

Here's how I see it, at minimum they're going to charge me for the labor on trans fluid replacement as I'm providing the fluid. For the remaining items, they're either going to A) do what they can in good faith to repair the situations under warranty and no charge or B) waffle around and tell me nothing is wrong or they can't do anything about the issues and charge me an additional $99 service charge, plus surcharge and tax.

I'm obviously hoping for "A", but am skeptical because everything discussed with them and Mazda USA so far is leading to "B".

Oh... I informed them I would be bringing the printout of the TSB. The response was less than enthusiastic (significant tone change), and he wanted to know where I got it from (specific dealer and technician) and that regardless of the printout, it was up to the dealer to decide whether or not it is addressed based on their findings.

Want to know the funny part about this? After initially requesting the oil change to Amsoil as well (along w/trans), he attempted to talk me out of it. Standing on the whole motor won't break-in debate. I decided not to do the oil change anyway, as I've never really changed this early (close to 1k miles) on any of my cars. Well, after the remaing conversation and noting of issues that I'd be bringing it in for... he offered an oil change! To Mobil no less!!! Whether it'd be Mobil 1 or not, he still bothered to offer an oil change with their products after trying to talk me out of it!

Real supportive dealer, huh?

 

[tubebrner]

The easiest way to do get this done is just to call the dealer and tell them that you are having hesitation when its cold out and you heard their might be a reflash available for it. They have to make a record of this complaint before they are going to do anything. It's a TSB, not a recall. A TSB just means that it is a fix IF the car has that particular problem, not for all cars. Going in there waving around a piece of paper and demanding a reflash isn't going to do anything. They need to have a DOCUMENTED problem in their system. You complaining about hesitation is enough to be considered a documented problem.

EDIT: I just say Rubasu's post, so yeah basically what he said.

 

[Rubasu]

I don't rec. bringing a print out of the tsb with you all that does is piss the writers and techs off. As a tech myself I hate and my writers hate trying to deal with a cust. who already thinks they know the answer to the problem because they read about it on a forum : ) and especially hate dealing with customers who come in with tsbs printed out demanding us to do the work in the tsb when it does no pertain to their car. That only irritates me and the service manager who is less inclined to help you out of a jam when all you have done everytime you come in is complain about things that may not relate to your car because someone with the same car had a problem a had this fix done. Simply go in and complain about the issues you are having and ask to take a ride with the tech if you can so that you can better relay the problems you are having to the tech and so you can confirm the issues with the tech there so there is no "no problem found at this time" issue after you leave.