I was driving to work the other day, engine started smoking up bad, had to get the car towed.

Turns out the I cracked cylinder head on my cx5, and even better it’s a known issue, a design flaw and one they have corrected. Yet the people with this problem are left to fit the bill. I have it sitting in the shop with a quote of almost 7 grand to fix.

I can’t afford this fix and I don’t know what to do, I wish I could just total the car at this point.

I love my car, she has been a great car and I have kept up on the services and everything, but now I’m left to deal with their flaw.

I’m out of warranty of course and I’m going to argue with the dealership and Mazda because this is utterly unacceptable and should have been a recall!

And plenty of other people had to deal with it too, thankfully nobody has been left stranded somewhere because of it.

  • WozaCardoza@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Take it up with mazda head office, they might replace it under goodwill if you’ve serviced with yhe dealer or at least partially cover it in some way. We did a few at my dealership

  • a_rogue_planet@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    That is an absurd price for a cylinder head. I’ve got an Accord V6 and VCM wiped out that back 3 cylinders and the rear can. I had the head pulled, back 3 rings and bearings done, new cat, and timing belt done for $3400.

  • fordddo@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Contact Mazda Consumer Affairs with all your documentation of services etc in hand and request goodwill assistance through your local dealership. Mazda will likely cover the majority, while the dealer will have to participate in the cost and maybe a grand or so outta pocket from you. Best of luck.

    • Snoo-35612@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I’ve seen it happen on a cx-30 with 15k miles. I’ve seen it happen on cx9s with over 140k miles. Luck of the draw.

  • therevolutionaryJB@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Let me guess 2018- early 2019 cx5 amd its not a crack its a pourus cylender head. The block has oil seeping through the aluminum. Its a manufacturing defect. Take it up with mazda corporate they are good about these things.

  • Jorosi@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    That sounds like a quote for an engine replacement not just a head. Did it run very low on oil? Making noise?

  • Bottomless-Paradise@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I get that it sucks, but it isn’t the dealerships fault. They can’t do anything for you if your out of warranty. You need to open up a case with Mazda customer support if you really feel like you deserve compensation for it

  • F1_V7@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I don’t feel sorry for you at all. You should’ve known better than to buy a POS Mazda. Next time go Toyota

  • PeaRevolutionary1063@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Hi I own a CX5 as well and I’m wondering if this has been happening for a while Why they haven’t issue a recall on that faulty cylinder /gasket?

  • MonsieurReynard@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    If they won’t cover it, don’t give the dealer that repair business. You can get a used engine installed at an independent shop for far less than a dealer will charge.

    • Desenski@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      My local Mazda dealer only charges like $100/hr for labor. Very reasonable for a franchise dealership.

      But then again my career in the automotive industry has mainly been at Volvo and Porsche (the Volvo dealer I was at charged $270/hr for labor.)

        • Desenski@alien.topBEnglish
          1·
          10 months ago

          Dude my Porsche dealer doesn’t even charge that… Are you sure that’s just labor? Or is it the entire job divided by the hours they said it would take?

  • mazdaspeed36@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    If you don’t have a 2.5T engine my guess is the cylinder deactivation is causing uneven wear on the heads. I’ve run into this issue with countless makes and models, it isn’t limited to Mazda. One of those features similar to stop start where you’re adding efficiency at the expense of engine longevity. Hopefully if that is in fact the issue it can be tuned out like the V4 mode on GM and dodge pickups. Best of luck dealing with mazda, hopefully the repair bill doesn’t end up solely on you

      • pete_the_meattt@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        Had it on my 2019. Less than a year later I got a notice to bring my car in to disable deactivation thing

      • RegalDolan@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        I think all the NA 2.5’s sold in the US had cylinder deactivation in 2021 as well. Believe it or not, this is one of the reasons I also wanted the Turbo so bad. Start stop is as awful of a trend as painting cars burnt orange /copper was in the late 2000’s. (Except paint only damages aesthetics and start stop can damage… well… a lot of things)

    • Far-Veterinarian-974@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      There are TSBs that apply. Bulletin 01-013/21 is one. Could be a variety of different reasons: could need the updated exhaust manifold design, could be a bad casting of the cylinder head.

    • darksandman1118@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I definitely think it’s on the high end and won’t be the total amount but I have seen some people say costs between 4 and even 10 which is crazy.

      I just hate how Mazda knew about the problem and never recalled it

      • will_code_4_beer@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        7K is insane. All you need to do is remove the head, check for warpage using a $30 straight edge tool, clean it off and install a new head and gasket. It’s essentially just a headgasket job, assuming the replacement head is in good shape.
        This is the kinda stuff I love doing for friends. I wrench on my own vehicles all the time and I’d swap the head out for good conversation and a case of beer.

        Find a mechanic friend or head to YouTube :) but please shop around. Don’t pay that dealer price.

      • ErikFessesUp@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        I had a similar issue with a Toyota, and their bullshit response to my car’s know issue lost them a customer for life. Mazda and other brands should take note.

      • SharkSmiles1@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        I had a similar problem with a Honda Odyssey that was a lease that was expiring and they forced me to buy a new ex-L in order to get them to pay for the repair. ☹️