Mazda valve stem seals solved

June 22, 2024 — Mazda has reached a settlement over valve stem seals after owners complained about having to add engine oil during scheduled oil changes.

The valve stem seal settlement provides that customers may be eligible for certain benefits if an “Engine Oil Level Low” warning message appears on the instrument cluster before the regular oil change interval of 7,500 miles or one year, or after a refill after the oil level was found to be low before the regular oil change interval.

Mazda Valve Stem Seal Class Action Settlement Includes:

“Any person or entity in the United States who owns or has owned and/or leased a 2021-2022 Mazda CX-30, 2021 CX-5, 2021 CX-9, 2021-2022 Mazda 3, and 2021 Mazda 6 vehicle equipped with a 2.5L turbocharged engine and with an affected valve stem seal.”

Specifically, the following vehicle models and vehicle identification number (VIN) ranges are affected: (T = Turbo)

• 2021 Mazda 3 (Made in Japan 2.5T), VINS from JM1BP******315204 – 403637 (manufactured from October 12, 2020 to September 13, 2021)

• 2021-2022 Mazda 3 (Made in Mexico 2.5T), VINS starting from 3MZBP******209389 – 307372 (manufactured from December 8, 2020 to June 16, 2022)

• 2021-2022 CX-30 (2.5T), VINS starting from 3MVDM******233598 – 437812 (production time is from December 7, 2020 to June 30, 2022)

• 2021 Mazda6 (2.5T), VINS numbers from JM1GL******602506 – 618909 (manufactured from October 6, 2020 to September 14, 2021)

• 2021 CX-5 (US/Canada spec 2.5T with 10.25-inch central display), VINS from JM3KF******320280 – 472324 (manufactured from October 6, 2020 to September 13, 2021)

• 2021 CX-9 (US/Canada spec 2.5T with 10.25-inch central display), VINS from JM3TC******509027 – 541070 (manufactured from October 6, 2020 to September 13, 2021)

• 2021 CX-5 (Canada/Mexico spec 2.5T with 8-inch central display), VINS from JM3KF******112005 – 135036 (manufactured from October 6, 2020 to September 1, 2021)

• 2021 CX-9 (Canada/Mexico spec 2.5T with 7-inch or 9-inch central display), VINS number JM3TC******451418 – 455173 (manufactured from October 6, 2020 to September 11, 2021)

According to Mazda’s lawsuit, defective valve stem seals can cause engine oil to leak into the combustion chamber and lead to excessive fuel consumption.

The class action lawsuit alleges that Mazda customers must refill their oil between scheduled oil changes. Dealers have received a technical service bulletin due to a valve stem seal issue.

“Thus, according to Mazda, a vehicle would need to consume more than 8 quarts of engine oil between recommended oil change intervals to require repair for excessive oil consumption, whereas a vehicle consuming, for example, 7 quarts of engine oil between oil change intervals is said to be normal and within specification.” — Mazda Class Action Lawsuit

You can read more about the Mazda valve stem seal lawsuit here.

In deciding to settle the class action lawsuit, Mazda denied all allegations in the lawsuit and denied all wrongdoing. The automaker said it decided to settle to save the expense and time of continuing the litigation.

Mazda Valve Stem Seal Settlement Repair Program

Landlords should be aware of the conditions that must be met in the terms of the settlement agreement.

Under the settlement agreement, Mazda will issue a new Technical Service Bulletin (TSB), or campaign, that follows the same repair procedures as in the previous TSB 01-003-23.

This procedure will apply to vehicles that have experienced excessive oil consumption, indicated by the illumination of the engine oil level warning light, triggering Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P250F:00.

The code is necessary because it “indicates that the engine oil level is low before the regular oil change interval of 7,500 miles or 1 year,” the settlement said.

The program also applies if the vehicle is registered with the MyMazda mobile app and a “‘Low Engine Oil Level’ alert is logged in the app before the regular oil change interval of 7,500 miles or 1 year.”

In addition, the program will apply if the customer provides “record of refueling (performed by the dealer, service station or customer) before the engine oil level warning light illuminated within the regular oil change interval of 7,500 miles or 1 year.”

Mazda’s settlement agreement states that documentary evidence could include, but is not limited to, “a repair order or invoice from a dealer or service station, or a receipt for the purchase of engine oil with documentary evidence that oiling was performed before the normal oil change interval.”

Customers may also qualify for the program if the vehicle fails an excessive fuel consumption test performed by a Mazda dealer at Mazda’s expense.

“Under the program, during the initial one year after the program begins, MNAO authorized dealers servicing Class Vehicles for any reason will check if the DTC P250F:00 code is stored in the vehicle’s memory. If the code is stored in the memory, the MNAO authorized dealer will advise the Class Vehicle owner or lessee if he or she is eligible to receive a replacement valve stem seal under the program.” — Mazda valve stem seal settling

The settlement also says loaner vehicles will be available during repairs. In addition, the program will continue the extended warranty period, which lasts for 84 months or 84,000 miles (whichever comes first) from the date the vehicle is first used.

Mazda Valve Stem Seal Solutions: Extended Warranty

Mazda will extend the powertrain warranty from 60 months/60,000 miles to 84 months or 84,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, any repair work must be done by a Mazda dealer, not an independent service center.

Mazda Valve Stem Seal Compensation: Refund

It may be possible to get compensation due to fuel consumption issues, but please be aware of the conditions.

“Vehicle owners or lessees who timely submit a qualifying claim will be entitled to reimbursement for certain past oil change expenses and the cost of purchasing additional engine oil between oil changes.”

Under the settlement, if you paid for oil changes beyond the normal 7,500-mile or one-year interval, you may be eligible for reimbursement of the expenses.

You must submit a claim form along with proof of all oil change expenses and any additional oil you had to purchase.

Claim forms must be submitted by October 19, 2024, and the Final Settlement Fairness Hearing will be held on August 5, 2024.

The Mazda owners who filed the lawsuit include the following plaintiffs, who will receive $2,200 each: Gary Guthrie, Stephanie Crain, Chad Hinton, Julio Zelaya, Anna Gilinets, Marcy Knysz, Lester Woo and Amy Bradshaw.

Attorneys representing these clients will receive $2,035,000.

Details of the Mazda valve stem seal settlement case currently under consideration in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California: Guthrie et al. v. Mazda Motor Corporation of AmericaCase No. 8:22-cv-01055.

The plaintiffs are represented by Lemberg Law, LLC.