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Feds investigating Mazda CX-9 over suspension problems

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is opening a preliminary evaluation into the 2007-2008 Mazda CX-9 because the lower ball joint in the front suspension can potentially separate while driving. An estimated 54,000 examples of the crossover might be affected. The investigation was prompted by six complaints of this happening on the road. Because the complaints are coming more rapidly as of late, NHTSA thinks the issue could be getting worse. The problem also appears to be more prevalent in states that use salt on their roads in the winter. None of the failures caused any injuries, and all but one happened at 20 miles per hour or slower. NHTSA's preliminary evaluations "assess the scope, frequency, and safety consequence" of a potential problem and can sometimes lead to recalls. Related Video: INVESTIGATION Subject : Front Suspension Ball Joint Separation Date Investigation Opened: JUN 09, 2015 Date Investigation Closed: Open NHTSA Action Number: PE15022 Component(s): SUSPENSION All Products Associated with this Investigation close Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) MAZDA CX-9 2007-2008 Details Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp. SUMMARY: The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received six (6) complaints (VOQs) alleging incidents of front suspension LBJ separation in MY 2007 through 2008 Mazda CX-9 vehicles. The reports appear to show an increasing trend. One of the separations allegedly occurred at 40 mph and the other 5 incidents occurred at speeds between 0 and 20 mph. The first VOQ was received in October 2013, followed by 2 reports in late 2014 and 3 reports in the first 5 months of 2015. Four of the VOQs are from states using high volumes of road salts (?salt states?) which, for purposes of this investigation, include: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The other VOQs were from northern Virginia, which borders the ?salt state? region, and South Carolina. ODI also identified EWR field report data related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. A preliminary investigation is being opened to assess the scope, frequency, and safety consequence of the alleged defect. The six VOQs associated with this investigation are: 10717510, 10714469, 10695142, 10668978, 10640541, and 10546535.

2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 S gets new name, adds tech, keeps same power

For its second model year, Mazda's in-betweener compact crossover is getting a new-ish name: the 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 S. No, those extra digits at the end aren't a trim level. The 2.5 S is apparently part of the name. They also don't indicate a boost in output, as the CX-30 won't be following the example of the recently announced Mazda3 2.5 Turbo. They're all for show. Instead, Mazda adds some new connectivity and safety features to the package. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard across the lineup. They join Mazda Connected Services with a three-year trial and in-car WiFi hotspot with a six-month or 2GB trial, and they pair with the carryover 8.8-inch center infotainment screen that is controlled by a rotary dial mounted behind the gear shifter. The CX-30 2.5 S keeps as standard the 7-inch reconfigurable digital gauge display, Bluetooth phone and audio, two front USB ports and electronic parking brake. There are also some new safety options to go with the standard i-Activsense package, which includes Mazda’s version of adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, smart braking support, a driver attention alert, lane departure warning with lane-keep assist and high-beam control. Upgrade to the CX-30 2.5 S with Select Package, the second of four trim levels, and you get blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, side mirror turn signals and Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry, plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, leatherette seating and upgraded, 18-inch wheels, among other perks. Step up to the Preferred Package and you get features like a power moonroof, heated front seats and black gloss front grille. The top-tier Premium Package, meanwhile, brings a Bose 12-speaker sound system, a three-month SiriusXM trial subscription, navigation, windshield-projected Active Driving Display, power liftgate, paddle shifters and LED head- and taillights, among other features. As before, power comes from the Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter inline-four that it shares with the Mazda3. It makes 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque and is mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. The standard setup is front-wheel drive and G-Vectoring Control Plus, but predictive i-Activ all-wheel drive with off-road traction assist is an option across the range for an extra $1,400. Base price creeps up by $55 from 2020 to an even $23,000, including the $1,100 destination fee. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party.

Mazda creates reproduction parts program for North American MX-5 Miata

In 2017 Mazda announced a restoration program for the MX-5 Miata in Japan. The good news was that owners of Miatas that looked like they'd been thoroughly enjoyed for decades could get their convertibles returned to as-new condition. The bad news is that the program was a trial for "quality verification," and only open to the Japanese market. At the time, Mazda Japan said it was "considering re-supply of parts that became discontinued" for the first-gen NA series produced from 1989 to 1997. In February this year, the carmaker's then-CEO revealed that "Our fans can be reassured that additional parts, identified by owners and specialty shops, will become available by June of this year." The time has come, Mazda North America announcing a reproduction parts program for first-gen Miatas with a catalog of more than 1,100 new and legacy components.  The automaker says it spoke to Miata clubs and shops to determine which parts were needed most. Among this first salvo will be a fabric soft top using the same rear screen material from the NA series, roller mechanism for the side windows, brake calipers, and a set of aluminum Enkei wheels in the original design that are lighter and boast a better finish. Perhaps even better are the arcane OEM parts that can be desperately hard to source for era-appropriate restorations, like grommets, bolts, gas shocks and the "Roadster" badge that's an eBay go-to (called a "Mascot" on the parts list). Each piece has been redeveloped to take advantage of modern materials and build techniques while maintaining the look of the period-correct original.  The parts list PDF runs to 42 pages. Anyone with a TLC-starved Miata in the garage, the love your jinba ittai droptop has been waiting for is here.