Mazda class action lawsuit alleges defective valve stem seals allow oil leakage

Mazda class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Plaintiff Francis J. Farina has filed a class action lawsuit against Mazda Motor of America Inc. and Keffer Mazda.
• Why: Mazda allegedly conceals a dangerous valve stem defect that causes excessive oil consumption.
• Where: The Mazda class action lawsuit was filed in North Carolina federal court.

A new Mazda class action lawsuit alleges certain vehicles have defective valve stem seals that allow oil leakage that can cause “voluminous” oil consumption, putting the vehicle at an increased risk of engine failure.

Plaintiff Francis J. Farina says the Mazda valve stem defect allows engine oil to leak into the affected vehicles’ combustion chamber. 

As a result, the class action lawsuit says, the vehicles consume excessive engine oil between regular oil change intervals, increasing the potential risk of engine failure, violating federal emissions standards and causing other damage to the engine and engine components.

Farina alleges Mazda and Mazda dealerships have conspired to conceal and hide this known, dangerous defect.

The Mazda class action lawsuit alleges the following 2021 vehicles may contain the valve stem defect:

• CX-30
• CX-5
• CX-9
• Mazda3
• Mazda6

Mazda class action says automaker knows about defect but conceals severity from public

Farina says he purchased a new 2021 Mazda6 in April 2021 and kept “meticulous notes of his oil consumption and changes.” When he challenged the Mazda dealership about the vehicle’s excessive oil consumption, he was told the issue would not cause any immediate damage and the vehicle could be safely driven.

This guidance was reportedly based on a technical service bulletin that instructed dealers to explain Mazda would top off or replace the engine oil level at no charge until a complete repair procedure is announced.

The technical service bulletin allegedly downplays the risk of “voluminous oil consumption that cannot be reasonably anticipated or predicted,” which can cause engine failure and damage the vehicles’ emissions components, according to the class action lawsuit.

Farina says Mazda would have learned about the valve stem defect during pre-release testing. However, the motor company failed to remedy the issue before producing and selling the vehicles, the Mazda class action lawsuit alleges.

Numerous consumer complaints about excessive oil consumption have subsequently been made about the affected Mazda vehicles, Farina says.

The class action lawsuit asserts claims for civil conspiracy and breach of implied and express warranties.

Another Mazda class action has been filed over an alleged defect in certain 2021 model year vehicles that can allegedly cause them to “unexpectedly fail while in operation.” 

What do you think about the allegations in this Mazda class action lawsuit? Tell us about it in the comments.

Farina is represented by Raymond M. DiGuiseppe of The DiGuiseppe Law Firm PC and Joseph A. O’Keefe of McLeod Brunger PLLC.

The Mazda class action lawsuit is Francis J. Farina, et al. v. Mazda Motor of America Inc., et al., Case No. 3:23-cv-00050, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, Charlotte Division.

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