S.S. of Lake Grove, NY writes:

On May 6, 1998 I bought a 1995 Mazda Millenia form Smithhaven Mazda, a business in practice for the past 26 years. I purchased the extended warrnaty for an additional $485, for the next 3 years/36000 miles.

On Sunday April 11, 1999, I was driving from Mass. to Long Island, NY, when within 50 miles my oil light came on, so I pulled over, had it towed to a hotel, stayed the night, and had it towed again Mon. morn. to a local Mazda dealership to be looked at.

They told me it was leaking from the oil cap due to corrosion. Due to the amount of oil I lost, it had led to more severe problems with the engine. We called my warranty company, "Warrentech," and I am not registered as having a waranty with them. It now seems that Smithhaven Mazda never filed my warranty and I am not covered.

I then had it towd 200 miles home to NY. and it is now at Hempstead Mazda, a local dealership. I have contacted Mazda customer service and they are unwilling to help, saying it is between the now defunct dealership from which I purchased, and me. I am looking at thousands of dollars worth of expense, all due to a warranty issue.

I will continue to deal wiht Mazda and their corporate offices, as I feel they should be held responsible, being that it is their product.

Due to the distance I was from home when this happened, I had to pay out monies for an overnight hotel stay ($110.), the 100 mile tow ($235.), the car rental to get back home ($115.), and I missed work on Monday.

Well, unfortunately, Mazda is not going to be any help.  Since you bought the car used, it is indeed between you and the dealer.   We would recommend that you contact the New York Attorney General's consumer fraud division for further assistance.

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