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Mazda 3 Transmission Problems

475 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2013 at 6:25 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA3, Mazda MAZDASPEED MAZDA3, Transmission, Hatchback

    
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Messages Page 41 of 49

#393 of 475 Re: Mazda 3 2012 skyactiv faulty Manual Transmission [dokies] by squiggly1

Sep 06, 2012 (1:42 am)

Replying to: dokies (Jul 29, 2012 8:35 pm)
New to the forum. Have been searching for this issue for a while elsewhere as well.
 
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.

#394 of 475 Re: Mazda 3 2012 skyactiv faulty Manual Transmission [squiggly1] by caleb9

Sep 06, 2012 (10:10 am)

Replying to: squiggly1 (Sep 06, 2012 1:42 am)
If the dealer won't help, go above their head by complaining to Mazda Corp of America.

#395 of 475 Re: Mazda 3 2012 skyactiv faulty Manual Transmission [squiggly1] by autonomous

Sep 07, 2012 (10:15 am)

Replying to: squiggly1 (Sep 06, 2012 1:42 am)
engine surging while downshifting. The rpms increase ... 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
 
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?

#396 of 475 Re: Mazda 3 2012 skyactiv faulty Manual Transmission [autonomous] by squiggly1

Sep 07, 2012 (2:26 pm)

Replying to: autonomous (Sep 07, 2012 10:15 am)
I am detailing everything and contact the service manager after each incident. The car was also left with them for a week for them to drive. They didn't seem to notice anything unusual. They thought they may have felt something, but couldn't me sure. I assured them that there is no thinking about it, you know when it happens.
 
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.

#397 of 475 Re: Mazda 3 2012 skyactiv faulty Manual Transmission [squiggly1] by autonomous

Sep 08, 2012 (8:57 pm)

Replying to: squiggly1 (Sep 07, 2012 2:26 pm)
Well done. You sound like you have the situation well in hand. H
 
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.

#398 of 475 Re: Mazda 3 2012 skyactiv faulty Manual Transmission [autonomous] by squiggly1

Sep 09, 2012 (2:49 am)

Replying to: autonomous (Sep 08, 2012 8:57 pm)
There are just under 3900 km on the car. I have been driving it since 06-02-12.
 
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.

#399 of 475 Re: Mazda 3 2012 skyactiv faulty Manual Transmission [squiggly1] by autonomous

Sep 09, 2012 (5:27 am)

Replying to: squiggly1 (Sep 09, 2012 2:49 am)
the dealer is expecting to have a diagnostic tool (from Mazda Canada) that will be installed on my car early this week
Interesting. Keep reporting on this!

#400 of 475 Re: Mazda 3 2012 skyactiv faulty Manual Transmission [autonomous] by squiggly1

Sep 11, 2012 (4:39 pm)

Replying to: autonomous (Sep 09, 2012 5:27 am)
The dealership has the data recorder (diagnostic tool), but it has a faulty cable. DOH!
 
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).

#401 of 475 Re: Mazda 3 2012 skyactiv faulty Manual Transmission [squiggly1] by autonomous

Sep 12, 2012 (2:13 am)

Replying to: squiggly1 (Sep 11, 2012 4:39 pm)
spoke with a service manager from another dealership and they indicated there were no TSB on the vehicle
 
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:
 
"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

#402 of 475 Re: Mazda 3 2012 skyactiv faulty Manual Transmission [autonomous] by squiggly1

Sep 12, 2012 (5:42 am)

Replying to: autonomous (Sep 12, 2012 2:13 am)
This sounds so familiar.
 
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.

Messages Page 41 of 49

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