Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
1) I rather doubt we're going to hear from you again as I suspect you're hear to fuss and then never to return.
2) I rather doubt you've "read most of the 359" posts prior to yours; if you had you would have discovered that the vast majority of the folks reporting issues in this thread were talking about their automatic transmissions.
3) While I'm on the subject of you not having read all of the posts in this thread; there is a healthy mixture of folks complaining about Automatic related issues, folks complaining about Manual related issues (many of which were about non-clutch related issues; see the post after yours), AND other folks offering advice and condolences. Said another way, I'd be surprised if there were even three or four dozen independent complaints about the clutch.
4) Brakes at 44,000 miles? Sounds pretty normal to me regardless of the make or model of the car. Do enough city driving and the brakes will be gone at 30,000 or less; do enough long distance highway driving and the factory brakes can easily last to 100,000 miles. Said another way, you have nothing to complain about here.
5) Did you buy your 2007 Mazda3 s new or used? If used, then you have no way of knowing how much abuse the previous owner heaped on the clutch.
6) I taught my (then) fifteen year old son to drive a stick in my 2009 Mazda3, and he was none-too-gentle on the clutch while learning. My car is quickly approaching 55,000 miles and has no problems with the clutch at this point (although given the beating he gave my car I wouldn't blame it if it failed soon). My fifteen year old daughter is going to be learning to drive a stick in my car this summer, and what my son didn't complete (relative to destroying the clutch), my daughter probably will.
After about a week of using the car we noticed that it occasionally didn't want to go into 3rd gear. It would completely block us from going into the gear. We also noticed that the shifting was very rough, especially into 3rd.
We took it into the dealers and they said we might be driving it wrong or the gears might need to "wear in". We both have been driving manuals since 16 so we aren't driving it wrong. We waited a couple days, but when the car wouldn't shift in the middle of an intersection for my wife and she was almost rear ended we took it back to the service station.
This was the first car of this model any of them had driven, so they didn't know what it was exactly supposed to feel like. At first they said everything was normal, but after the service manager took the car home at our insistence he told us the next day that corporate was flying in an engineer from Japan to check out the transmission. The car has less than 500 miles on it and they are replacing the transmission and the shifting cables. Obviously something wasn't right.
Two weeks later the dealership agreed to replace the car since it must have shipped with a defect. We decided to test drive the car again to get a feel for what a new one should feel like, but we experienced the exact same problems that we had when we brought our car into the service station! The test model had 11 miles on it when we drove it the very first time and was smooth. 70 miles later the same test model felt very rough and just didn't want to shift into 3rd or 4th.
We no longer have confidence in this model at all. At this point we are trying to contact Mazda corporate for a refund because the dealership wont help us. If our experience is any indication there is a serious problem with the manual transmission on the skyactiv models.
I just got a Mazda 3 skyactiv manual and am experiencing the same type of thing. Every once in a while shifting into 3rd, 4th, or 5th feels rough and requires extra pressure or requires shifting to neutral and cycling the clutch.
I really like the car, but this shifting thing is kind of annoying. Is this just something that will go away once the car is broken in a bit? Did you ever get the problem fixed???
We figured out looking at the contract that there was a very slim chance of us getting a refund for the car since the parts are covered on the warranty.
They ended up fixing the original car and giving it back to us. They also gave us a pre-paid Service Plan for 5-years/75k.
The car seems to be running and shifting "normally". The original problem where we were completely blocked from shifting into gear while moving has not happened again. Sometimes shifting still feels rough, but overall the car is working fine.
Soon after starting when it is very cold it doesn't want to shift and the stick sometimes gets stuck in gear (1st and 2nd), but after it warms up this never happens. We've also had it not want to go into 1st while stopped on an incline/decline. If we take our foot off the brake and let it drift an inch or two and try again it goes into gear.
On an unrelated note, we had a 4 inch nail puncture the rear tire the other day and had to get that fixed. Maybe we are just very unlucky.
I'm not interested in having to change the gear oil or adopt an abnormal shifting style to be able to use the car, because I didn't have to do either of those things with my old '97 5-speed Protege (which was the most reliable/resilient car I've ever owned), so I certainly shouldn't have to with a car that's brand new.
A lot of what I'm reading here and even in press-releases reminds me of what GM did with their trucks during the end of the 90's, prematurely releasing new technology to the public and letting their paying customers discover and deal with the resulting problems. My family had a '98 Silverado which was so trouble-prone because of this that GM permanently lost our business. I'm shocked that Mazda would do something similar.
Actually most of this thread does not deal with the Skyactiv which is brand new for 2012. Like you, though, I was concerned ... in my case because it is new. Many reliable manufacturers, including Toyota and Honda, have had problems rolling out new models. Since Mazda has a lot "riding" on the Skyactiv technology, I expect they have done a lot of testing before incorporating it in the Mazda3, and now the CX5.
TIP: Put off your purchase until later this year / next year to see what comes out in the wash.
And thanks for the tip. I was already planning on just holding off on the purchase because I wanted to see how quickly Mazda fixes these problems (both on their new cars and ones that have already been sold) and how they respond to what I'd assume is a growing number of unsatisfied customers (especially nibroc4410, if he ever posts again).
All of this worries me greatly because I was dead-set on buying the next generation MX-5/Miata (I can barely fit in the current one, and I've heard that the next one may have slightly more room) as soon as it's released, and I don't want to end up quickly regretting my purchase or having to wait to buy it because of something like this.
I actually ordered my Skyactiv with 6 speed manual from factory. Just got it a few days ago (it was manufactured on February 3, 2012). When I first got it, I had a hard time sliding the shifter into gears. I really didn't think much of it because I thought that may be it is just breaking in and the gear channels just need to smooth out. Now I have 200 miles on it and I am noticing that the shifting is starting to smooth out. I will keep my eye on it and will make another post in a few weeks.
Thank you.
Understood. Reading a thread on Mazda transmission problems is bound to create some worries.
Check the latest Consumer Reports issue for its Reliability charts to see how key components (including transmissions) of various models rate in terms of long term reliability. Based on CR and as far as I have heard, the Miata/MX5 is a stellar vehicle with one of the best transmissions around and is not a risky choice.
p.s. I know what you mean about how snug the Miata is.
Just wanted to give another update. We are up to 4500 miles on our car now and everything has been good since we had the transmission replaced. It still sticks in first and second gear when we start it up in under 40 degree weather, but if you give it 3 minutes to warm up that doesn't happen.
I wouldn't tell people to not buy the car, because if you aren't unlucky like we were you will just have a fun car with good mileage. But as a warning if you are very unlucky and something isn't right keep bothering them until everything is fixed. They might deny anything is wrong for a while, but you aren't imagining it so keep fighting.
I work at a mazda Dealership at the service dept. and it's funny how we have NO COMPLAINTS whatsoever on what you are reporting and lord knows we sold a lot of these.
I further checked at MAZDA CANADA and USA at the technical dept......
GUEST WHAT ? NO PROBLEMS AT LARGE !
what am saying, sure, some problems can occur BUT do not relate these AT LARGE.
My wife has one and as of all our customers, SHE'S very satisfied.....
Sorry to burst your bubble , but when a product is good, it's good.
I am very unimpressed.
I drive a lot.
I've owned 6 cars: Two volkswagens, one nissan, one chevy, one mazda.
My chevy currently still runs with 162k mileage.
This is the first time I've had a car with a transmission failure.
Will not purchase another mazda.
Which engine does your car have? Is it the 2.3L?
Regarding the downshifting, did the car do this automatically or were you shifting the gears?
While the car was being serviced in the past did you or your mechanic note anything about the transmission? In other words, did this problem come out of the blue or do you have some earlier evidence of a problem with the transmission?
Mazda tells me it will be almost 4,000 to get a rebuilt transmission
Did MazdaUSA or the Mazda dealership tell you this?
I am experiencing (and have been since purchasing a 2012 Mazada3 skyactiv 6MT in May) engine surging while downshifting. The rpms increase like crazy sometimes up to ~4500 rpm and the car seems to really pull forward quickly and forcefully rather than slow down. Mostly happens from 3rd to 2nd or 4th to 3rd. It is completely sporadic and cannot be replicated at will.
Anyone else? I have been working with the dealership but without much luck as I appear to be the only one who has presented this issue to them.
Interesting. A few questions below which you likely have already discussed with the dealer. Since it's difficult to replicate, you'll need to detail the incidents and / or do some diagnostics. The other alternative is to leave the car with the dealership for a time (week?) to see if they can hit upon an incident during that time.
What is the frequency of these incidents?
Example: At least once a month / week. Also, what is the duration of the problem (example: happens for a couple of shifts then corrects itself).
Any other patterns that you can identify?
Examples: have these incidents happened after short / long drives, during very warm days / cool nights, after lots of stop and go, while climbing an incline / descending a hill.
Have you made any modifications to the vehicle, esp. the engine bay?
Example: added new air intake
Have you asked the dealer to check the Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) for this model?
Frequency also varies. Initially it was several times a week, then once a week, once every other week, once in a couple months, then just recently 3 times in 8 days. It may be dependent on the amount I drive. I don't drive a lot, however this past week or so I have done more driving than usual.
When it happens, it is always when the clutch is let out and as it happens instinct is to jump the brake. This stops it completely. That's it. It happens again when it wants to.
Patterns haven't really been identified. It has happened going up a hill a few times, the length of the drive does not appear to matter, nor does the outside temperature.
No modifications to the vehicle have been made.
Mazda Canada has been contacted by the dealer and most recently by myself.
I haven't asked the dealership to check the TSB.
I have read a few more posts about it in another forum. Everyone seems to say the same thing about how it happens and what happens.
Perhaps the power control module according to the dealership. They are very interested in the positioning of the AC/HVAC controls. Whether the AC is on or off, fan on or off, positioning of the air, recirc or fresh intake, etc.
Frustrating and concerning.
I don't drive a lot
How many miles/km on the car?
Mazda Canada has been contacted by the dealer and most recently by myself.
Good. I would ask about any TSB. Also, let them know that you are concerned that the problem be resolved soon ... A concern down the road is driving with this problem in a Canadian winter.
It happened again yesterday, in a parking lot this time. I have noticed the last week and a half or so, I have driven more often due to certain circumstances and it appears to be happening more often again.
The dealer and Mazda Canada are well aware that I consider this a huge safety concern, especially since winter and icy and snowy roads are unfortunately just around the corner. I will be SOL if I am relying on gearing down to slow down on slippery roads and have to jump the brake because this happens
Fortunately for me, unfortunately for Mazda, I work in the quality field and not willing to let this go unresolved.
On a positive note, the dealer is expecting to have a diagnostic tool (from Mazda Canada) that will be installed on my car early this week. That way,when it does happen, the tool will record all the information about what the car is doing at that moment. I really hope this tells them more than the static diagnostic testing that has already been done, which has been NOTHING.
Interesting. Keep reporting on this!
Also spoke with a service manager from another dealership and they indicated there were no TSB on the vehicle and my dealership appears to be following Mazda protocol - unfortunately for me as it is soooooo time consuming. My service manager has been great, it is just the whole waiting game that is driving me nuts (pun intended).
You can also check online for similar complaints/problems from other drivers. There is a US government site called SaferCar.gov. It has a Search Complaints feature that allows one to find issues with a particular vehicle. Here is the summary of one complaint by a 2012 Mazda3 owner which sounds eerily similar to your case: :surprise:
"THE CAR SOMETIMES SURGES DURING DOWNSHIFTING. I WILL BE DRIVING IN MODERATE TRAFFIC IN THIRD GEAR. THE TRAFFIC SLOWS, AND I LET IN THE CLUTCH AND APPLY THE BRAKE. WHEN THE TRAFFIC STARTS TO PICK UP AGAIN, I AM GOING TOO SLOW FOR THIRD, SO I SHIFT INTO SECOND AND LET THE CLUTCH OUT. MY RIGHT FOOT IS JUST RESTING LIGHTLY ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IDLING FAST, BUT AS SOON AS THE CLUTCH IS ENGAGED, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ROARS AND THE CAR LEAPS FORWARD, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NOT PRESSED THE GAS AT ALL. I LET IN THE CLUTCH AGAIN TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I LET IT OUT AGAIN, IT WORKS NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENS ONCE, TWICE, OR NOT AT ALL IN A 40-MILE ROUND TRIP OUT OF TOWN AND BACK. IT ALSO HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WHEN I MAKE A LEFT TURN WITHOUT STOPPING, BUT WHERE I NEED TO SLOW AND DOWNSHIFT. I COAST INTO THE TURN WITH THE CLUTCH PEDAL IN, SHIFT DOWN, AND ATTEMPT TO LET THE CLUTCH OUT WHEN COMING OUT OF THE TURN. I WOULD EXPECT THE CAR TO SLOW WHEN I SHIFT DOWN UNLESS I AM PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, BUT SOMETHING OTHER THAN ME IS GIVING IT GAS. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN, AND IT NEVER HAPPENS TWICE IN A ROW. I HAVE MADE IT HAPPEN ON PURPOSE, BUT I THINK THAT WAS PURE LUCK. IT HAPPENS WHEN DOWNSHIFTING INTO ANY GEAR, BUT BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY TRAFFIC IN OUR AREA, IT ENDS UP USUALLY BEING THIRD TO SECOND. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHEN DOWNSHIFTING INTO THIRD OR FOURTH ALSO."
p.s. Searching for TSBs for 2012 Mazda3 vehicles found nothing on the site
I can not believe the part about the left turns. That is when I notice it the most as well. Too bad I was laughed at when I mentioned this to the sales manager at the dealership!
I need to look at this more closely.
Thank you so much.
Contacted my salesman, will see what he can do for me.
I agree with the potential accident issue. This has been discussed with my dealership as well. I made it very clear that I wanted to know who was liable if such an event did occur. I was told the manufacturer was, not the retailer.
http://mazda3revolution.com/forums/2010-mazda-3-engine-performance/11419-skyacti- v-downshifting-surging.html
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED AGAINST A CEMENT POLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
I have exactly the same issue as you (2012 Mazda 3 with Skyactiv). surging of accelerator when gearing down from 4th to 3rd and same going up. I also have issues with the transmission not wanting to go into gear, mostly from 3rd to 4th, sometimes 4th to 5th and sometimes 6th. Same issue gearing down. Sticky. Always intermittent, never a consistent issue. Dealership told us to drive car for 1500 kms to see if issue goes away. It has not. Going back to dealer next week and will get you an update.
I should have a data recorder in my car in a couple weeks so I can tell it to record what the car was just doing when the issue occurs. Can't wait to see what comes of that.
So frustrating.
One is SaferCar.gov the other is Transport Canada. The more people that voice their complaint about this issue, the more likely something will get done about it.
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/index.xhtml
https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/PCDB-BDPP/fc-cp.aspx?lang=eng
Thanks.
The car is now back at the dealers until it is repaired, replaced or bought back. I refuse to drive it as I do not feel safe driving it after the near miss I had yesterday (almost rear ended the car in front of me).
The transmission appears suspect, but nothing is concrete until the data has been reviewed. I feel so relieved that the data is recorded and not having to drive that car. It is sad as the car is barely 4 months old with less than 4700 KM.
:lemon:
Since you reference Mazda Canada, I am assuming that this data recorder you had installed on your car happened somewhere in Canada / is available in Canada? That was the first thing that the service department asked me, and I wasn't sure at the time. If you did obtain this in Canada, that will help me make a push for the data recorder as I am sure they will not be able to replicate the issue and will only waste my time.
Like you, this is a worry-some issue as the unpredictable and intermittent nature of the acceleration can get you into some pretty bad situations, and likely worse situations now that the possibility of snow falling is likely. To give you some extra information on my cars issues (in case it helps for anyone out there), my car will randomly accelerate when little or no gas is given during a downshift (generally into 3rd or second), and as well it tends to happen on turns (though not always). I have had the RPM jump anywhere between a few hundred and 1000 (which would put the total RPM up near 4500 or so), which provides a considerable "surprise" acceleration.
I would appreciate hearing about the results of your recent trip to the dealer with your recorded data when you hear back from them! I hope this issue gets solved for you.
Yes, I live in Canada and Mazda Canada Inc. has several of these recorders that are sent to dealerships as required.
There are complaints through NHTSA and can be viewed at safercar.gov. Specific complaint numbers (ODI #s) are: 10477984, 10477070 & 10469613
The data has been analyzed and IMHO is quite surprising (a bit of sarcasm there)...
-The data showed rpms of 3100 not the actual 4000. In my model, 4000 is ~center on the tachometer so it is pretty easy to glance down and see the needle standing on end
-The data also indicated that the transmission never engaged 2nd gear, rather stayed in neutral. Hmmmmmm, the gear shift was in the 2nd gear position where I was sitting. This concerns me.
Then I was asked whether or not I have troubles shifting into gear. From time to time I experience what i will call hesitation shifting into gear, but nothing drastic. I also believe it is usually shifting from 2nd into 3rd.
The engineers had the dealership look for any trouble codes again and check for air leaks at or near the manifold. I do not know the outcome of that, nor see how that would prevent the transmission from engaging 2nd gear.The dealership also has to send additional files of data from the car to the engineers. Not sure why, they did a similar thing initially.
The last response I received this afternoon is that they are still working on a diagnosis and it is a long process communicating the data.
I will update when I have more information. Not much to go on at the moment.