Does anyone know of a class action law suit against Mazda for designing the 3rd Gen Engine which fails so early in its life ? I have heard this engine to fail as early as 30k to 70k, both are premature considering they are supposed to be bullet-proof. I have known of 2nd Gen engines to live past 150k. I know that Mazda does not have a recall in place currently.

You guessed it... I think mine is dead

 

Umm...this may be just me, but this is my logic behind your question.

Assuming that there was a class action suit, you're a little late. The 3rd gen was produced in 93 - 95, so considering that it's now almost 2002, you're about 6 years late. In terms of the rotary engine being bullet proof, I have never heard of that before. Seems like people are using the bullet proof term more liberally nowadays.

 

The rotary engine is ALMOST bullet proof... it's achilles hill is in the design of the apex seal and cooling system. There's no class action lawsuit or anything to that extent, you just have to bite the bullet, it's all part of owning and maintaining a 3rd gen. **** can and will happen. I think you have to be a lil masochistic to love this car (think...fuel filter, rats nest, solenoids, cooling system). I love my car

 

i got 120k miles out of mine and it's still ticking. Think of it this way. The RX7 was made as a relatively cheap racecar that car rev till tomorrow.

If you buy a porsche turbo, do you think you will drive it like the RX-7? and if you do, do you think it will last any longer that a RX7? I mean I dunno about you, but i don't know many porsche drivers that redline the car as often as a RX driver.

 

Dimcorner makes a good point, the same applies for Ferraris, and other high end sports cars. They require TONS of maintenance and will crap out around the same time a rotary does.

 

So you want to file suit against Mazda because you dont know how to take care of your car?

Ive never heard "rotary" and "bulletproof" used in the same sentence. Theyre weak. If you did some research, youd know that. Everyone blows their engine eventually...Its part of the game. When it happens, shell out the cash and get another one...Or sell it to me

 

Kinda reminds me like that NSX owner that sued Honda/Acura because the tires lasted 6-7K miles before replacement. Supposedly had the suspension geometry a certain way (rear toe I think?) that contirbuted to it's stellar handling - but at the detriment of tire life. I believe he won - only in the US.

 

why file a suit against mazda?
did you buy the car from them?
why not file suit against the previous owner?
are there any mods on the car?
did the previous owner run 93 octane gas all the time?
did the previous owner follow the maintence schedule mazda provided?

when BS lawsuits are filed against large companies, the consumer pays the ultimate price, especially when it comes to product liability. Look at something like cigarettes. Do you think RJ Reynolds cares about losing big money in lawsuits? Raise the price on a pack of cigarettes a few cents and you cover all your costs. Examples like that are easy.


My questions above are not meant to attack you or insult you, but if people could win lawsuits, on a regular basis, for things like what you are suggesting, buying a car would become very expensive.

Really, if you wanted to own a car with an engine that lasted 300,000 miles, go buy a honda civic and change the oil every 3000 miles. I'm sure you knew the reputation of the car before you bought it. I do feel bad that the engine is blown, and i am sure i feel feel bad when my time comes. i think everyone on this board and the big list know the clock is ticking - we are all just trying to make sure it ticks just a bit longer!

 

And people like u trying to sue mazda is why Mazda don't want to bring back the rotary {Rx7} back to America.

 

Ok this might be a little rash...but...get lost you exhaust leak...keep dreaming..there are plenty of FD that lasted fine...most..yes most could be explained by owner abuse.

 

WTF!!!!!
The rotary engine will take a lot of abuse. How do you think it got its reputation and large number of wins in racing? FOR RELIABILITY.

Most 3rd gen engines don't last due to lack of maintenance or improper modifications. This car requires a high amount of maintenance, name a car with this kind of performance that doesn't. If you keep the car stock and maintain it religiously it will last 100K mi. plus. You have to pay to play - if you can't afford the game, get out and stop the crying. Go look at the prices for a Vette or Viper short block - makes the rotary look like a bargin.

The though of sueing Mazda for such an out rageous claim makes me sick - no one wants to be accountable for their own damn actions in this country. Maybe I'd should just sue Mazda because my lower back is sore from leaning over to work under the hood!!
Jack

 

you know....im gonna go sue McDonalds. let me tell you why:

on the way there, a car was stalled right in the middle of the one lane street to get to McDonalds, causing me to slam on my brakes and wear out my brake pads. upon arriving home, i decided to change my brake pads. as i took the wheel off, i grabbed the brake rotor to check if it was hot. it was hot. i got serious third degree burns on my right hand. as i was running up the stairs to get to the bathroom of my house to rinse my hand with water, i tripped and broke my arm. as i was driving to the hospital with a broken arm and burned hand, i crashed my car.

i want to sue McDonalds for causing all of that to happen. becasue of them, i can no longer jack off in comfort.

 

BTW, what will you be sueing for?? did Mazda promise you that the engine will last xxx,xxx miles??

how bout i go and sue Honda. my civic lasted 165,065 miles. i thought it was supposed to last 300,000! im gonna sue them for premature engine wear.



as johnny said....get lost.

 

Thirdgen,

I know exactly how to make your 3rd generation "bulletproof" motor. Get a brand new 13B motor and install it. Now take off all the vacuum hoses, precat, and turbos that cause the engines to fail. Install a Standard 2nd generation intake and fuel injection system as well as a new computer.

You now have a 150,000+ mile bulletproof engine. Oh, did I mention, you will only have around 160Hp. Don't waste all that power passing granny.

Although the engines had some problems, most of the damage is due to misunderstandings of the items around the engine. Mazda designed the best they could with what they had, and to keep it at a reasonable price. Otherwise, you would be buying the bulletproof twinturbo RX-7 used for around $150,000.

Take your lawsuit money, buy a good engine from a reputable builder, make sure you have all the safety modifications, completed, remove any of the non-safety modifications that probably contributed to the engine's premature failure, and enjoy your car.

Tim

 

You'd have to sue the guy with the stalled car. And it's not reasonably foreseeable that any of that would have happened, so you can't win the case.

I know you're kidding so don't hate me!

 

Thirdgen,

It's ok, you can come out now !!

Boy, you would think all these guys worked for Mazda !

Here's another way too look at it....You get a Mazda rebuild for $1800.
You now know all the issues with the 3rd gens and can make sure you take care of this engine.
With proper care I am sure this engine will last you 75K miles. Not too bad for $1800.

Anthony

 

That production statement is misleading. While the FD was produced during those years so technically it's not an inaccurate statement, those are only the model years it was sold in the USA. It's been sold in Japan since model year 91 and is still in Mazda Japan's lineup.

http://www.rx-7.mazda.co.jp/

As far as class-action goes against Mazda, there was a class-action cased filed under the "Lemon Law" and Mazda prevailed. Try it now and you've gotta deal with Ford Motor Company, too.

 

I remember this being brought up quite a few times on the Big List.

 

Okay, I guess I have my answer; there is no lawsuit out there. Some of you were very productive and responded to my inquiry courteously and positively, to those THANKYOU. Others, I won't waste my time commenting on your behavior.

PS: I have no interest in suing Mazda, although my car has been meticulously maintained and is completely stock.

 

thirdgen,

When replacing your engine, make sure you have either silicone or viton hose replacements for all the vacuum hoses. While out, replace the precat with a Stainless Steel with ceramic coating. Also, if you want to spend the money, there are safety replacement engine parts that can be installed also. Check out KD Rotary's website for some more details.

Tim

 

Wait guys, let’s not jump down this guy’s throat. He is probably a new comer on the rotary scene. My engine went south with the help of the as*holes at PFS. I was mad at the world including Mazda. He is probably just venting. Though I will say the rotary engine will last for a while if it is taking car of properly. Do you guys at PFS hear that... properly! In any case, I always wonder why Americans have so many more problems with the rotary engine than do the enthusiast over in Japan and other countries. I think it is b/c we are EXTRA hard on the engines and then when they pop we cry foul! These engines are not as stout as the LS1 and I-6 of our competitors. These rotary engines are VERY delicate and must be maintained properly or you will replace or rebuild it. PERIOD! A rotary engine that is maintained properly will last for a long time. I had over 80K on mine before I had those dumba** work on it. At 70K I had a compression check done and it was perfect. Now I have 105K on my car now of course, that is with a remanufactured engine from Mazda. I am starting to ramble, I guess what I am trying to say is take extra care of the engine and the engine will take extra care of you. How was that my rotary brethren am I making sense to you or is it just me?

 

it just sucks. sorry to say it. but you think you have it bad??? The 3rd gen i have has had 5 motors in less than 60k. the first replcement at 9k, second at 19k.
but like others said....1800 is not bad for a motor. try buying a new motor for almost any other car....get pricing on a TTsupra motor, or a 300zx motor. Then suck it up and smile. this is one reason i love the rotary. People who are into them....ARE INTO THEM!!!!

 

Damn you guys are mean almost ripping the newbiew a new one :p

Come on don't be so hot headed! Give newbies the benefit of the doubt!

 

Ok...if you want to get REALLY technical. Yes, the RX-7 was and is still being produced in Japan. However, I was only referring to the US model when I made reference to 93 - 95. Also because he himself is in the US, not Japan.