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xtskinz

Hi,
I've been looking at a late model NZ New Mazda diesel vehicle and have noticed there is an engine recall for this model.
The recall specifically covers the following:
1. Braking system
2. Fuel system
3. Engine control
4. Fuel Injector Sealing Washer
I believe this Australian recall covers the same items (I can't link to the NZ recall for some reason https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recall/mazda-australia-pty-ltd-mazda3-my2014-2016-mazda6-and-mazda-cx-5-my2012-2018

I have more details and can provide but was wondering if the AA Experts knew anything about this and wondered what their thoughts are regarding the possible severity of these items please? I'm an AA member and can call if that's easier?
Thank you in advance.

Anon

Hi there,
I have heard of some issues with the Mazda diesel. One is reported because these engines need to be used on regular highway driving to ensure that the DPF filter is cleared/regenerated. Lots of urban driving can cause build up and it can contaminate the engine oil which if left can damage the engine. I do really like the power and smoothness of the diesel engine though.

Matakanajo

Hi there,

I have experienced this issue - however my car is outside of warranty and bought as an import. I note the recall is Aussie. Does it also apply to NZ? My chassis number has KE as a prefix - I also note that the VIN reported in the Aussie recall is KE, but the VIN on my car (presumably the LTNZ supplied one). doesn't match. How do I find out if it is a recalled model?

Anon

Overseas recalls are not always carried over to NZ so it would be at the discretion of Mazda NZ if they will do anything at the direction of Mazda Japan.
You would need to use the chassis number to search as the Vin is just a NZ assigned number.

Matakanajo

Thanks for that - I've been checking for any NZ recalls and it seems they aren't recalling here - in fact they are pretending nothing is wrong. The symptoms are exactly the same as stated - loss of power, excess diesel in the oil sump etc. However, because it's imported without a clear history of Mazda servicing, they don't want to know. In fact, they've just quoted me $15000 to replace the engine and cooling system. I've had two more opinions from other mechanics who can't find anything wrong with the cooling system, and neither can find clear reasons for the loss of power. I've searched for recall of my chassis number and it doesn't show up in NZ unfortunately, but since they are failing to recognise this as a fault, that makes sense! To the person considering buying a mazda diesel, stay well away from them unless you will be habitually driving for at least 40 minutes at a time (frequent and incomplete regeneration is the issue, due to short distance driving). You also should be changing oil at least every 5000km (they say 10000Km but that didn't help me in my case).

webmite

Hi Matakanajo, I have a CX-5 diesel import and experiencing the same issues and push back from Mazda NZ. If there is enough of us we might be able to form a group and collectively put pressure on Mazda to do something. This what people had to do overseas. Seems like Mazda won't do anything unless they are forced to.

Matakanajo

Hey there, sorry to hear you are also having issues. I've learned a lot on my journey for this. My history is that the warning light lit up, and I then promptly took it in to the mechanic. He discovered the oil sump full of diesel, so he changed the oil and filter. Two days later, same warning light, although the sump wasn't full of diesel, so he reset things and I went off driving again. Shortly after, the transmission light went on and I started losing power so figured it would be best to get it towed to Mazda Silverdale. They called me up to tell me that 'he didn't see engines in this sort of state very often (hahahahah)' and wanted my permission to strip the engine to find out what was wrong. We declined as if we had allowed that, we would have ended up with a disassembled engine and no ability to get a second opinion. Instead we asked how much a new engine would be. Their response verbatim on their quote: FOUND FAULT CODE P055F - OIL PRESSURE OUT OF RANGE. CAN STRIP THE ENGINE AND INSPECT, BUT WITH THIS FAULT, THE END RESULT IS ALMOST ALWAYS ENGINE DAMAGE/ REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE REQUIRED. ADVISE REPLACEMENT IN ORDER TO RECTIFY THE FAULT.

NOTES/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION : WE CAN CARRY OUT REMOVAL AND STRIP OF THE ENGINE, BUT 100% SURE THIS WILL BE THE OUTCOME

Total quoted to repair involved replacement of the engine and cooling system = $15,007.37.
You can imagine my feelings. Got new opinions from two other mechanics. Neither could see any fault whatsoever with the cooling system and the engine looked fine. Finally, after towing the car all over the place, my mechanic used his actual brain and the diagnostics, talked to a Mazda mechanic (who by the way said they see these cars in their workshop everyday, all day) and checked the carbon filter. End result, the carbon filter was completely clogged. He's given it a thorough clean and $800 later my car is working perfectly. Frankly I think it's absolutely fraudulent for Mazda to have provided me the advise they did.

The carbon filter is the issue that these cars have all been having (and unfortunately not just Mazda, although it's particularly bad with this brand). In order to keep them clean the diesel engine regularly needs to go through regen where the crap on the carbon filter gets burned off. Stopping and starting prevents this. I didn't know diesels need to be run hard, with city driving bad for them. It is lunacy to put an istop engine in a diesel! What a pack of morons. So now I'm driving around with the istop off and don't want to use it for short journeys.

I'm happy to spread my experience with Mazda far and wide. If they'd been honest with me from the beginning, perhaps I could have worked something out with them. Arseholes - I'll never touch their brand again.

Ebeej99

Same problem here, did Mazda do the work on the car to clean the DPF filter or a local mechanic.

Took mine to mazda and they told me not to worry about the red light engine oil pressure abnormal, they said it just needs an oil change! got that done and the light comes back on in 2 days. I've parked it up.

Any more info would be great. Is it still running fine now?