Is there a way to recoup my costs?
 

Twice I have gone to my local mazda dealer complaining of a screeching noise when I brake, and that the noise appears to come from the front tires. The first time (in June) they said they tightened the heat shield (cost $ 45) and the second time (less than 2 weeks ago) they said it needed a rear brake servicing (cost $ 100). Yesterday my check engine light came on so I took my car in and had them fix that as well as check out the sound AGAIN, as it hadn't stopped. They said that the sound is definitely due to the "cheap after market brake pads" (that the last owner must have had replaced) and that it is approx. $325 to replace them. They refused to give me any credit for my unnecessary $100 brake servicing.

Is there someone in particular at the dealership that I should complain to? Or should I write to Mazda Canada?

It is particularly funny that they have pretty shitty customer service at this dealership but that on their phone they say "recipient of the 2001 customer service award in the Greater Toronto Area".

Any suggestions or am I s.o.l?

That price better include the rotors too or your getting shafted.

You probably won't get your money back from the previous repairs because they actually 'did' something. If they charged you just to check it out then yes you should at least get a credit. $45 does seem like alot of money to tighten a heat shield though.

Re: Is there a way to recoup my costs?
 

Don't waste your time starting at the bottom....make an appointment and go directly to the very top...the owner of the dealership....

IF that gets you nowhere.....do they have something like the BBB (Better Business Bureu) in Canada? if so....go to them and file a formal complaint for them doing UNNECESSARY work that was NOT realated to your problem and saying they fixed the problem.

As long as the pads aren't worn out and the wear indicator isn't making the noise, the screeching is most likely resulting from loose seating of the pads. Best fix is to put foil exhaust tape on the back of all the pads. The foil will seat the pads to the calipers and dampen the hi-frequency vibration that generates the screech. The tape will cost a buck or 2 at the parts store, but don't have the dealer do the install. Take your car to a small shop, and quit going to the dealer. He's ripping you off. $325 for a brake job is a crime even in Toronto.