Update:ย
- A California federal judge certified most of the proposed classes of Mazda drivers in a hefty class action lawsuit against the carmaker.
- The lawsuit alleges a water pump defect can lead to โcatastrophic engine failureโฆ at any time without prior warning.โย
- On Oct 21, U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton filed an order granting the motion for class certification brought by owners of the Mazda 6 and Mazda CX-9 affected by the alleged faulty pump.ย
- She certified seven classes for vehicles purchased in California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Texas and Virginia, as well as a class for those alleging violations of Californiaโs Song-Beverly Act.
- The judge declined to certify classes of North Carolina and Louisiana drivers, saying plaintiffs from those states had not put forward arguments with standing under the statesโ laws.
Mazda water pump defect class action lawsuit overview:
- Why: The plaintiffs allege Mazda knew about a defect in its Cyclone engines that causes the water pump to fail. The defect has and can continue to lead to โdeadly accidents,โ the complaint says.
- Who: Mazda faces a class action lawsuit filed by 20 customers.
- Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.
(March 16, 2022)
A group of 20 Mazda drivers filed a hefty class action lawsuit against the carmaker for a water pump defect that they say can lead to โcatastrophic engine failureโฆ at any time without prior warning.โ The defect has caused one fatal accident already.
The water pump defect occurs in the MZI Cyclone engine in the CX-9 for model years 2008 through 2015 and the Mazda6 for model years 2009 through 2013.ย
The plaintiffs seek to represent a nationwide class of all persons or entities in the United States who purchased, leased or own a class vehicle. There are 12 state-specific subclasses for California, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. There are also two subclasses related to specific California state laws.ย
Mazda allegedly knew about water pump defect since 2007
The defect detailed by the complaint involves the internal chain-driven water pump. The pump is meant to circulate coolant through the engine while the engine is running. However, the defect in question allows coolant to leak from the water pump into the oil pan and/or other engine components, mixing it with the engineโs oil and leading to destruction of the engine.
The water pump is located deep within the engine behind several other components and would cost more than $1,500 to repair or replace, according to the complaint.
Plaintiffs argue that they and the class were not told about the potential defect. However, Mazdaโs internal data indicates that the company began receiving reports of water pump failures in class vehicles by at least June 2007, according to court documents. Mazda received at least 58 warranty claims for failed water pump failures in 2009. Complaints were also made to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The plaintiffs seek class certification and approval of class counsel, declaratory relief, an order preventing Mazda and other defendants from continuing their allegedly unlawful behavior, injunctive and equitable relief, damages, statutory and civil penalties, pre- and post-judgment interest and attorneysโ fees.ย
Have you experienced engine failure in your Mazda? You could be a class member! Watch this space to learn more.
The plaintiffs are represented by Joseph H. Meltzer, Melissa L. Troutner, Tyler S. Graden and Natalie Lesser of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP et al.
The Mazda Water Pump Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Sonneveldt et al. v. Mazda Motor of America Inc. et al., Case No. 8:19-cv-01298, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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115 thoughts onClass certified in Mazda defective water pump lawsuit
I really hope the court recognizes that this is a serious issue.
An engine should not have to be replaced just outside of warranty.
If potential owners knew of this major issue, the value of CX9 would be less than half of what it should have been sold. The price of the car, new or used, priced in much longer use of the engine than 40k, 60k, or even 100k miles.
Right mine went up at 76,000 just last my extended warranty! We need to do something about this!
This happen to me this past Monday, May 30 on Memorial Day as I was driving on a busy highway in PA. I was going about 65 mph and without any warning the RPMs went from 4000 to 0, followed by the check engine light. Luckily I was still coasting in the right lane and able to get over to the shoulder before car stopped. Had to get it towed home which cost me $500 and my wife/kids an uber ride for another $120. Then towed to the dealership where mechanic provided me with the same conclusion as what is in the class action suit and would need new engine. Now I have to hope the extended warranty is adhered to as I have one to 100k miles (but I have no faith the right thing will be done). I bought a certified 2014 CX-9 when it had 44K miles on it and now only has 76K miles.
Same thing happened almost exactly. Unfortunately for us, no extended warranty.
But then even if you replace the engine, you are still riding on an engine with a flawed design that is a ticking time bomb.
Mazda CX9 2010, 104k miles, started hearing a weird noise from engine side, checked it with local mechanic, he found the engine water pump issue and it may cost $2000 to fix it.
This happened to me a year after I bought my Mazda CX-9. Luckily I had an extended warranty. They replaced the engine with a short board engine bc they didnโt have any regular ones. I have had breathing problems every since then and have to wonder if something happened when engine failed. Iโll never buy a Mazda again.
Mazda is great! ford designed that engine so ford is to blame
2014 cx-9. Catastrophic failure. $13,000 to fix. Had to purchase a new car. How do we get added to this lawsuit?
Just out that the same thing happened to me we owe 8,000 on my cx9 and now weโre trying to firgure out how we can afford a new motor.
Have the same issue as well
Mazda is great! ford designed that engine so ford is to blame
Iโm a victim also. All the coolant drained and no hose leaks. Oil is mixed with coolant. Engine is probably ruined. No lights, no warning.
My 2008 cx9 mazda water pump went out and its and it boiled on my engine this was a expensive repair that Iโm not eased with especially when u call the dealer and they tell u there nothing they can do.
The same happened to me. On top of that, the replacement water pump also failed. Mazda CX-9 2013 100k, purchased verified with extended warranty but not a boo from the dealer about the problem before it happened and no help afterwards either.
I own a 2015 cx9 mazda all oil or mechanical work was preformed by mazda ,tire changes even the dent from when we were hit by a car,my wife was on her way to work a few blocks down check engine came on she went back home to trade for different car,we drove it to mazda dealer ship ,she called first they told her to drive it over there witch she did. We heard from them the next day we had water in our oil, ok how did this happen.
They explained that the water pump is built in to the motor, I ask they why they didnโt mention this when we were buying the car ,I know that water pumps go out ,some sooner some later but who wants to pay for it to get fixed every 5 to 7 years they wanted 2,800.00 to repair it next the told me that they were draining the oil and there were metal pieces and that I would have to replace the motor. At first they told me verbally that it would cost me 4,800.00 ,we talked back and forth, I then spoke to the manager about my issue he said he would make a deal, they must think Iโm stupid ,their deal was that they would erase my debt around 9000.00,I laughed and told them that it was a stupid idea,they painted a pretty picture; they erase my debt, and instead of spending my money on a new motor that I use that money for a down payment ,If i wanted to buy another car it wouldnโt be a mazda
The next time they told me that the motor was more like 8 or 9 thousand dollars .
One conversation that a mechanic told my wife . โ that what I can do is to put all the fluids back in there place and to sell it and to not tell the buyer that it has a problem, my wife said you want my husband to be dishonest that is what he is thinking about mazda imagine that. Iโm not even getting into the cx3 basically same problem except this had no oil in motor when asked Thierry answers was they didnโt know no oil leaks