2006 Mazda MX-5

9/19/2011 12:00 P.M. DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. DRIVING SOUTHBOUND AT JUNCTION OF INTERSTATE 15 AND STATE HWY 163 THE LEFT REAR SIDE OF MY 2006 MAZDA MIATA EXPERIENCED A LOUD EXPLOSION RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF STEERING. THE VEHICLE SPUN COMPLETELY AROUND 3 TIMES CROSSING 3 LANES OF HIGHWAY 163, HIT THE CURB AND WAS THROWN ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE DID NOT OVERTURN. THE TIRE WAS OFF THE RIM. THE RIM HAS EVIDENCE OF AN IMPACT TO THE INNER WHEEL. THE CONTROL ARM ON THE LEFT HAD SHEARED OFF. I AM FILING THIS AS PREVIOUS SUSPENSION PROBLEMS CONTROL ARM FAILURES (SEE BELOW). THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING FIXED AT JOHN HINE MAZDA SAN DIEGO CA. RECALLS MAZDA RX-8: 05V325000 THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY CRACK SUSPENSION & STEERING, AUGUST 30, 2005 SUMMARY: DUE TO IMPROPER FORGING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, CRACKS MAY OCCUR IN THE BALL JOINT SOCKET. IN SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS THE BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE BALL JOINT SOCKET AND LOSS OF STEERING MAY OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AS REQUIRED. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON AUGUST 30, 2005. THE MAZDA RECALL NUMBER IS 3405G. ORIGINAL RECALL FROM THE NHTSA MODEL YEAR(S): 2004 MFR'S REPORT DATE: AUGUST 30, 2005 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V325000. *TR

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT VEHICLE OVER STEERING. HE MUST CONSTANTLY MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE VEHICLE DRIVING STRAIGHT AND FROM WONDERING. THE SERVICE DEALER COMPLETED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED NO SOLUTION WAS AVAILABLE. THE ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS ON THE TIRES WAS CHECKED TO RULE OUT ANY TIRE CONCERN WITH THE STEERING. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE VEHICLE IS A 2006 MAZDA MX5 CONVERTIBLE.*AK