Class certified in Mazda defective water pump lawsuit

Update: 

• 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 “catastrophic engine failure… at any time without prior warning.” 
• 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. 
• 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 California’s 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 states’ 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 “deadly accidents,” 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 “catastrophic engine failure… at any time without prior warning.” 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. 

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. 

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 engine’s 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, Mazda’s 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 attorneys’ fees. 

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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