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
Our 2015 CX-9 engine failed in the middle of an intersection a few weeks ago while my wife was driving and our two toddlers were in the back seat. Upon inspection, the Mazda dealership mechanic found coolant in the oil tank and recommended complete engine replacement, costing over $10k. They noted that it would take complete engine disassembly to identify that the water pump is the root cause, but given the fact that we took great care of this car and have record of regular services, we are relatively confident the cause of engine failure is the known water pump defect that Mazda has refused to recall.
Our 2014 Mazda CX9 with 102.000 miles fits the narrative of the above scenarios. Briefly, 2 weeks ago, the Engine light came on prompting us to take it in to have it checked out by our mechanic. After a diagnostic test our mechanic recommended we take it to the local Mazda dealer where it was discovered due to a water pump failure, the coolant was empty and there was water in the oil reservoir resulting in a need for an new engine.. Cost to replace engine $11,388.93 not including tax and labor. We called Mazda (customer care) where despite a spirited discussion they basically told us to pound sand. We are hopeful we can join the class action law suit to recover some relief from being knowingly sold a car with a faulty engine.
My water pump failed on my 2014 Mazda cx9 and itโs been in the shop for a month. The coolent leaked into the engine and now itโs 11.000 to fix . My extended warranty wants proof of 5 oil changes when I have only had the car for a year. I bought it used. Now they are giving me the run around because they donโt want to pay for it. My car and warranty is payed. I need legal advice
1. My car (2011 Mazda CX9) was running nicely but on the first work day of 2023, 1/3/2023, the water pump broke.
2. It was then towed to a Mazda dealer for diagnostics. The diagnosis is that the water pump broke and the coolant leaked into the engine, and it contaminated the engine and the engine needs to be replaced. The cost is $10,400, which is way more than just repairing the water pump โ it shortened our carsโ engine normal life by almost half.
3. As of today, my car is valued at $6,000 plus online if it is not this issue of the engine. Now it is down to like nothing at one single day unless fixing it but it costs $10,400.
I called Mazda Corporation, they didnโt admit the issue and do not want to do anything.
Anyone, do you have any suggestions for what I should do from here.
My daughter is in the same boat on her 2013 cx9 basically she now has a useless boat anchor the engine is made by ford and they or mazda will even touch the little piece of junk. I donโt know what to tell you to do except stay away from ANYTHING with the 2.7 engine
Iโm going through the same thing just financed this car Oct 2021. My mechanic said the engine is ruined because the water went and leaked into the engine. Tried to see if fixing the water pump would work and it didnโt. Engine ruined. Repairs for a used engine 7600 plus the cost of the previous water pump repair. Now im stuck with a car i canโt drive and negative equity. Not sure where to go from here.
This just happen to me with my 2013 cx-9. No warning light or anything. Was in the middle of a turn and my car shut off and locked up. Almost went head on into a phone pole. Had it towed to my mechanic to find out that my water pump
Failed, push water and coolant throughout my engine. Now resulting in needing a new engine. Coolant mixed with my oil! Mazda refused to acknowledge that this is an problem and told me to Pay out of pocket to fix my car and maybe if this suit goes through I would get reimbursed.
2011 mazda cx9, only 90k miles, undergoing the exact same problem described above right now, dealership quoting 11-12k to fix. Already paid 3 times 250$ = 750$ for diagnostic confirmation. Given this has been filed, I would like to know whether to fix this problem or invest in another car which obviously is insanely expensive in todayโs market conditions. Kindly advise.
What did you end up doing? I am trying to figure out what to do!
I have a 2010 mazda cx9 at 160000 miles the water pump went out and had to replace the timing chain and water pump. That costed me $2800. then 3 months later the engine went out and had to pay $300 for the diagnostic results. So I have a car I was able to drive 7 months out of 2 years.
My mazda cx-9 2012 just wouldnโt start one morning. Under 113k miles. After checking the oil it was all mucky. Mechanic has confirmed that my water pump has exploded. I live in canada but my car is from the USA.
Our 2014 Cx9 simply stopped on my teenage son one day, no warning lights or temperature increase shown on gauge. (I had driven the car just minutes before). Local shop in our small mountain town diagnosed water pump, couldnโt use a bay to pull the engine (really? What a great design) for two days to repair. Car was towed to a Mazda dealer in Reno, same diagnosis, but the engine was supposedly still viable. A $4,000 repair, which we authorized due to the cost of used cars in todayโs marketplace. Dealer suggested new plugs while they were on the water pump, then suggested new front brakes on the day we were scheduled to pick up the car, which we also approved.
The car wasnโt finished by the end of a Thursday, we made arrangements to get the car the next day. A mid-morning text from the Mazda service advisor said that the shop foreman listened to the car, and now the engine wasnโt viable, and would need to be replaced. Another
$11,000.
So I guess my option is to pay Dolan Mazda $5,000 to get the car back so I can tow it to a junkyard. Where Iโll get maybe $400. Service manager is not returning my calls. The car is sitting on a Dolan lot in Reno. Undriveable after $5,000 worth of work. I guess itโs time to call the BAR and to join the lawsuit.
My engine went out on my 2014 mazda cx9 due to water pump failing and pumping coolant inside the engine. Warranty company doesnโt want to pay because I canโt find proof of one of my oil changes. It cast 11,000 to fix and Iโve only had the car a year. Iโm in a loaner car for the time being but if warranty doesnโt pay I will not have a vehicle much longer. Stressed out completely
2014 Mazda CX9. 86K miles. Car stalled suddenly on a freeway. Mazda dealership diagnosed as engine failure due to mixed coolant and oil. Sat with dealership for 6 months and a hefty $10+K in repair.