Few things can be as frustrating to car owners as unexpected mechanical issues. One such problem has been the topic of much discussion: the Mazda valve stem seal issue. This has led to a significant class action lawsuit, resulting in what is now referred to as the Mazda valve stem seal settlement. This post aims to provide a comprehensive overview of this settlement, the affected vehicles, and what it means for Mazda owners.
About Mazda
Mazda, a renowned car manufacturer, is known for producing reliable vehicles that offer great performance. But even the best of companies can sometimes face challenges, and Mazda is no exception.
A class action lawsuit was filed against the company regarding a specific defect found in some of their vehicles. This has resulted in a settlement that aims to rectify the issues for owners of the affected vehicles.
Case Background
The Mazda valve stem seal settlement resolves a class action lawsuit filed by eight plaintiffs. They alleged that certain Mazda vehicles were sold with defective valve stem seals. These faulty seals allowed too much oil to pass through, leading to excessive oil consumption. Owners had to add oil more often than normal and pay for extra oil changes.
The case is called Guthrie, et al. v. Mazda Motor of America Inc. It was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. While Mazda hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing, they agreed to a settlement to resolve the claims.
Affected Vehicles & Symptoms
So which Mazda vehicles are part of this settlement? It includes 2021-2022 Mazda CX-30, 2021 CX-5, 2021 CX-9, 2021-2022 Mazda3, and 2021 Mazda6 models. Specifically, those equipped with 2.5-liter turbocharged engines.
Owners of these vehicles may have noticed they were low on oil more often than expected. Even with regular oil changes, they had to top off their oil frequently. This was the key symptom of the defective valve stem seals. It led to higher oil consumption and extra costs for oil refills.
Settlement Details
The settlement happened because a lawsuit said that some Mazda cars had faulty valve stem seals, causing them to use too much oil and possibly damage the engine. This problem affected certain models of Mazda vehicles.
- 2021-2022 Mazda CX-30
- 2021 Mazda CX-5
- 2021 Mazda CX-9
- 2021-2022 Mazda3
- 2021 Mazda6
All these models have 2.5-liter turbocharged engines. The faulty seals allegedly let engine oil leak into the combustion chambers. This makes the engine burn through oil faster than it should between oil changes.
Settlement Benefits
Mazda is extending the powertrain warranty on the affected vehicles. The original warranty was for 60 months or 60,000 miles. Now, it will cover 84 months or 84,000 miles – an extra 2 years and 24,000 miles of protection!
Mazda will also issue a new technical service bulletin. This outlines the repair procedures their technicians should follow to fix the valve stem seal issue.
Most importantly for consumers, the settlement includes reimbursement. If you paid out of pocket for extra oil changes or oil refills because your car was burning through oil too fast, you can get that money back.
Vehicle Eligibility
To see if your vehicle is eligible, head to the official settlement website. There, you can enter your car’s VIN to check if it’s included.
The settlement covers current and former owners and lessees of the affected 2021-2022 Mazda models. If that’s you, mark your calendar with these important dates:
- October 19, 2024: Deadline to submit a claim form
- August 5, 2024: Final approval hearing for the settlement
Deadlines & Filing a Claim
To take advantage of the settlement benefits, you’ll need to act fast. The deadline to submit a claim form is October 19, 2024. You can file a claim for reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses, like more frequent than usual oil changes due to the defect.
The settlement website has all the details on what’s covered and how to file. You’ll need your vehicle’s VIN to check eligibility and fill out the online claim form. If you’d rather mail in a hard copy, send it to:
Mazda Valve Stem Seal Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91414
Seattle, WA 98111
Don’t miss out on what you’re owed! Mark that October 2024 deadline on your calendar now.
Fairness Hearing
Before the settlement is finalized, the court will hold a “fairness hearing” on August 5, 2024. This is when the judge will consider any objections and decide whether the agreement is fair, reasonable, and adequate.
If you want to object or comment on the settlement, you’ll need to follow specific procedures outlined on the settlement site. But for most class members, there’s no action needed. Once the settlement gets final approval, Mazda will start rolling out the extended warranty coverage and repair program.
Conclusion
The Mazda valve stem seal settlement is good news for owners of the affected vehicles. If you have one of the Mazda models included in the settlement, you can get your car fixed and possibly get money back for any extra oil changes you had to pay for.
The settlement also extends your warranty, giving you more protection for your car. Just make sure to check if your car is eligible and submit your claim by October 19, 2024, to make sure you don’t miss out on these benefits.
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