2001 Mazda Millenia

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA MILLENIA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH OR GREATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT NOTICED TINY DOTS ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT OBSTRUCTED HER VIEW. AS OF SEPTEMBER 27, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NINE MONTHS AFTER THE POWER STEERING WHEEL TILT MOTOR FAILED, I AGAIN EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE, LEAVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN THE EXTREME-UP ("BUS-DRIVER") POSITION. NO WARNING; I JUST PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE WHEEL DID NOT COME DOWN (IT AUTOMATICALLY SWINGS UP OUT OF THE WAY WHEN YOU TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION). THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE, ALTHOUGH THE STEERING WHEEL TECHNICALLY STILL WORKS, IN ORDER TO DRIVE ONE HAS TO ELEVATE THE SEAT IN THE VERTICAL PLANE TO MAXIMUM AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LIKE THAT OF A BUS. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT, WERE ONE TO BE INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN SUCH A POSITION, THE AIRBAG WOULD BE AIMED AT ONE'S CHIN, PROBABLY RESULTING IN A BROKEN NECK, AND THE "BOTTOM" OF THE STEERING WHEEL IS POINTED DIRECTLY AT THE MIDDLE OF ONE'S CHEST, BELOW THE STERNUM, PROBABLY RESULTING IN MASSIVE INTERNAL INJURIES OR, EASILY, IN DEATH. THE PREVIOUS FAILURE (NOV 12, 2004) WAS DEEMED TO BE A FAILED MOTOR; THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $363.33. THIS FAILURE IS NOW DEEMED TO BE A FAILURE OF THE STEERING COLUMN ITSELF - THIS WILL COST ME ~$1600!!!!*AK

THE TILT-STEERING MOTOR FAILED, LEAVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN THE EXTREME-UP ("BUS-DRIVER") POSITION. NO WARNING; I JUST PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE WHEEL DID NOT COME DOWN (IT AUTOMATICALLY SWINGS OUT OF THE WAY WHEN YOU TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION). THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE, ALTHOUGH THE STEERING WHEEL TECHNICALLY STILL WORKS, IN ORDER TO DRIVE ONE HAS TO ELEVATE THE SEAT IN THE VERTICAL PLANE TO MAXIMUM AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LIKE THAT OF A BUS. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT, WERE ONE TO BE INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN SUCH A POSITION, THE AIRBAG WOULD BE AIMED AT ONE'S CHIN, PROBABLY RESULTING IN A BROKEN NECK, AND THE "BOTTOM" OF THE STEERING WHEEL IS POINTED DIRECTLY AT THE MIDDLE OF ONE'S CHEST, BELOW THE STERNUM, PROBABLY RESULTING IN MASSIVE INTERNAL INJURIES OR, EASILY, IN DEATH.*AK

FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE INSIDE OF THE 17" LOW PROFILE WHEELS OF MY 2001 MAZDA MILLENIA S HAVE CORRODED AND ALL FOUR TIRES LOSE MOST OF THEIR AIR. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO MAZDA ABOUT THIS, AND HAVE TAKEN IT IN ON TWO OCCASIONS, WAITED FOR HOURS AND TOLD THEY NEEDED IT AT A LATER TIME TO REMOVE THE WHEELS AND TIRES AND TAKE PICTURES OF THEM TO FORWARD TO MAZDA. I TOOK TWO HALF DAYS OFF WORK AND WAITED EACH TIME. WE PUT AIR IN THE TIRES EVERY TWO DAYS. THE WHEELS HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND THE CORROSION POLISHED OFF SIX TIMES NOW - 2X IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. THE TIRE SHOPS SAY THIS IS COMMON FOR THESE WHEELS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 43,000 MILES ON IT AND IS MAZDA'S FLAGSHIP FROM 2001. I AM SURE THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS FOR A NUMBER OF MILLENIAS ON THE ROAD AND OTHER MANUFACTURERS AS WELL. THE LOW TIRES ARE SURE TO HAVE CAUSED SOME ACCIDENTS.*AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED. CONSUMER HAD THREE TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED, AND CURRENTLY WILL HAVE THE FOURTH TRANSMISSION REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WOULD GET THE FEELING AS IF SOMEONE HIT HER IN THE REAR. THEN, VEHICLE JERKED WHEN CONSUMER PUSHED ON THE GAS PEDAL. SHE, TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND EACH TIME, IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. *AK