Consumer Complaint Detail

MAZDA / MIATA / 1999

Recalls
0 Injured
Investigations
0 Death
Complaints
No Fire
Components - Details
NHTSA Complaint Number: 002099234 Incident Date: Jul, 15 2002
Consumer's City: ALISO VIEJO Consumer's State: CA
Vehicle Transmission Type: Manufacturers Name: Mazda Motor Corp.
Model Name: MIATA Model Year: 1999
Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No Component's Description: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline
Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No Persons Injured: 0
Vehicle's VIN#: JM1NB3539X0 Date added to File: May, 25 2021
Date Complaint Received: Sep, 04 2002 Complaint Type: IVOQ
Incident Reported To Police: No Purchase Date: Dec, 31 2097
Was Original Owner: Yes Anti-lock Brakes: No
Number of Cylinders: 0 Date of Manufacturer: -
Was Vehicle Towed: - Description of the Complaints: Mazda usa is aware of thrust bearing #4 being improperly machined , which cause the crankshaft to become loose inside the engine block, resulting in engine failure. mazda usa decided not to inform any of the affected owners, myself included, about this defect mentioned in internal service bulletin # 3102 dated 1-10-99. they have replaced many engines under, and out of, warranty, but since they did not notify any owners, many 1999 miata engines are failing without any warning. this can happen at any speed. mazda's service bulletin includes a range of vin numbers affected by this problem, my number is in that range, and it needs a new engine because the crankshaft has 4 thousands of an inch of play, mazda dealer advises i need a new engine. mazda usa refuses to cover this work and refuses to disclose how many 1999 miatas and proteges, they share the same engine, have had their engines replaced, but miata.net has posted a page with the vin numbers of some of the cars that needed their engines replaced. mazda claims my car is out of warranty, it is, but had they notified me about this potential problem when the car was under warranty, i would have had the car checked at the dealership, so far they have not notified any 1999 miata owner about this potentially unsafe product. please take a look at the history of this vehicle and have mazda usa contact the owners of these cars so they can check if they are affected by this design flaw.*ak