wow. I'm not sure I'd want the dealer to rip open the tranny to replace the part(s)? I don't have any issues for 3rd gear. Hopefully I won't.

 

I still get the rough 3rd gear sometimes. Not sure if it's worth having the dealer pull it apart, or just letting it be.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I occasionally am having issues where it won't shift into third at all! I've got an appointment on Thursday for them to check it out. Not sure I really like having to have the case cracked open within 6 months of purchase. Maybe it will prevent more issues down the road?

 

Has anyone had this TSB performed?

 

Much less expensive to try the tranny oil replacement with the Ford Mustang synthetic oil replacement first. Of course that would be after any linkage adjustment if required.

 

Well mine is being looked at finally. The dealer I bought my car from kept telling me all my issues were normal and said it was "metals shrinking and expanding with cold and heat" so I took it to another dealer and the service manager took it in right away and offered me a loaner + asked to keep it this weekend. This is for both the hard shifts, a crunching clutch sound (before the clutch switch point), squeaking clutch, and squeak from the engine bay.

 

Oshi,
How did this work out for you? Did they end up doing this TSB on your car?

Thanks

 

hard shift to 3rd

ok so I heard about this issue and how funny I also have same complaint !!!

anyway I took it in and sure enough !!! I am currently in a loaner because they have to fully repair whatever it is they found wrong inside the transmission. It sucks I guess that's the chance we take when purchasing the new skyactiv model or BM body. ill post findings in a week because that's how long the repair process will take. ;-) I love forums

 

Sounds like the transmission isn't properly aligned inside so the syncros don't sync correctly. Also, I wouldn't use ford's mtx75 I'd use penz syncromesh or get amsoil's manual transmission fluid both will engage the syncros better on the shifts.

The only thing I don't know is the transmission a direct linkage or cable linkage. If it's cable linkage, the focus guys had a hell of a time with the mtx75 linkage.

 

Dealer gave me update they had to replace 2 hubs inside transmission. Wth??? What's all the loud noise with sky activ and now they have to open tranny ? Too early on I guess because it's all new

 

I looked at the TSB and have JM1BM1L73E1170849, which looks like it is included, idk I may be reading it incorrectly.

Anyway, I'm having similar issues: not getting into third as smoothly as I feel like it should, just feeling loose too. Reverse seems to be giving me issues at least once a week as well; and will not go in at all: while completely stopped mind you. I called the dealer and the guy said he's never heard of anything like this, made an appointment anyway.

I'm very uneasy of all this. I have never had a car with such low miles; fortunately the warranty is still active- <9000mi. I'd love more details from everybody. Did anyone else's dealer tell them they don't offer loaners?


Cliff

 

Let us know if the dealer decides to throw a new 3rd gear in. Loaners depend on the dealership. My old one would give you a toyota or lexus loaner if they ran out (three dealers, one complex), but my current one will only offer a loaner if you book well in advance. If you can't get a loaner they do have a valet/shuttle driver

 

Wow I have a loaner still

So far it's been so many days ????? I can honestly say I am miss the old 3 and am not happy with loaner. It's free so I shouldn't complain, Im looking at other threads and see other people have the same issue. I'm not good with forums but it would behoove us all to have ONE SINGLE THREAD ? I look at other guys discussing the same issue but in the AUDIO discussions ????? What gives that ain't right but oh we'll just a suggestion. I am anxious to post paperwork with findings of why I couldn't shift smooth into second or third, with only 11k miles. I'll keep you posted

 

After dropping it off this morning with the TSB, which they were very receptive about. However the service manager asked if it was a manual transmission vehicle and to myself I was thinking 'really guy?' Anyway, they just called and said they drove it around not really feeling anything, however they called Mazda NA and they explained to them the issue, but didn't think it was necessary to do the work yet since they couldn't feel it themselves. They replaced the transmission fluid, and determined there were no metal shavings present. They reassured me that I have many years of warranty left on the vehicle, about 9000mi currently on the vehicle and if there are any issues they will definitely take care of it. I'll give an update once I pick the vehicle up this afternoon- maybe it will be a bit smoother for me with the new fluid.

- Cliff


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almost 2 weeks !!!!!!

so do I just keep waiting ?????? they called again said part is backordered and I may continue using loaner lol

 

Seemed a little smoother with the new fluid, however I could still feel it a little after a bit of driving. I was not happy to have my vehicle started with it in first gear and have it jump a foot after I let the clutch go...


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I am very grateful to this forum, thank you all!
Here is my story. Three months ago I bought 2014 M3 hatch. Two days later notches started, sometimes will not even go in gear on first try when engine is cold. Three weeks later went to Mazda to check it out and was told that all is fine, since they tried it on hot engine. Told to service adviser that I am unhappy about it, after that he "found" a TSB for cable adjustment, he did that and basically told me to go away.
That cable TSB did not do anything, so I wrote a polite email to Mazda Canada and two days later got a call from service manager, different level, he did a test drive and recognized a problem. Looked into TSB and booked me for rebuild of 3rd gear. When I came for it and got a loaner he found just fresh TSB for 5th gear that was not problematic, but he decided to do it anyway, he ordered another part and it took them a week to get it done.
Straight from the garage it was even worse then before! Reported it back to service manager and he set me up with his senior mechanic to check it again. Went with him for a drive, he recognized this notches and catches, then went for a test drive on brand new 2015 M3, same problems!
This is IMPORTANT! This master mechanic told me that he rebuilt in his life hundreds of Mazda manual transmissions, did very precise job and it never changed anything, notches still were there no matter what he did! Another important thing he said - if he had a brand new car he would never allow dealership to rebuild his transmission, he would demand it to be replaced with a factory build brand new transmission!
After that I wrote another polite email to Mazda Canada describing a whole situation, so all chain of command got involved in this case. After a few days of consideration service manager got back to me with a concensus that they do not have a solution for this, except for driving it like this for a few more months that it will "break in" and maybe changing tranny oil for something thinner. I dismissed both as contradictions with owner's manual.
As a last resort he offered me a trade in for a 2015 M3 with automatic. They offered me a very fair deal on the trade up and today i picked up brand new never driven made in Dec. of 2014, Mazda3. I am very happy with the way it got finally resolved!
Now I hope to stay away from the garage for a while. And wish all of you the same!

impulse

 

As a last resort he offered me a trade in for a 2015 M3 with automatic. They offered me a very fair deal on the trade up and today i picked up brand new never driven made in Dec. 2014 Mazda3. I am very happy with the way it got finally resolved!
Now I hope to stay away from the garage for a while. And wish all of you the same!

impulse

quite a story and glad you're happy with the result.

 

I brought my 2015 model with 860 km on the odometer to the dealer to have it checked for the third gear issue. I took it for a drive with one of the transmission tech. He says there was some notchiness (?) in 2nd, 3rd and 4th and said he would look into it with Mazda Canada to see if my car would possibly be affected by this TSB. While I waiting for an answer at the dealer, it turns out I have the most updated version of the car (built July 2014 in Mexico) so they recommended me to drive a few thousand kilometres on my car to see if the transmission would break in, otherwise they would be able to make some adjustments.

 

ok lets do something with MAZDA USA

I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR 2 WEEKS+. Incredible right ? the loaner is so boring and its a good thing I read that story so I can be prepared. HOW MANY USA MAZDA 3 OWNERS CAN WE GET TOGETHER FOR A PETITION ?

im not taking anything less than a 100% working transmission. same way I kill myself working to make those payments nothing more nothing less

i have 30 year old cars with better transmission synchros, this MAZDA KUDOS focused on everything except an endurance test.....!!!!!!!!this shifting problem is only apparent when shifting quickly and don't let the uneducated certified mechanics tell you that's normal. remember these are the same mechanics that will over inflate your tires to 45psi just because it saves you gas. lol they don't care if yours brakes fail due to overinflated tires. they are pushing technicians to complete 4 cars a day so of course our vehicles will not get TLC they need. going on 3 weeks now ........lets wait and see

oh and TO the kind fella could you please tell me how to find mazda usa customer relations phone # or email ?

 

I'm surprised some transmissions are that bad... and I thought my occasional 3rd gear was a big issue

 

got my car back. I will post a pic of the transmission bill and work. so far no issue day 1 ..................ill post 1 weeks worth of driving later.

 

Any update? How is the shift now?

 

Sorry to say fellas this great car has to go. I'm currently consulting legal advise, the transmission is not built for durability. Look into this and find the TSB, then look into how much worse shifting is once the dealer works on it. It was almost the perfect car,japanese,great gas,Jaguar designed,but transmission fell short at every level. The problem IS POWER SHIFTING from 2nd to 3rd, go ahead try and tell me it doesn't feel right. I felt almost all 6 speed trans at dealer lot and none can take a power shift from 2nd to 3rd. But every car in its segment will ? focus,civic,Yaris ! If anyone knows where I can find help so Mazda can honor their warranty I would really appreciate it. The dealer voided warranty saying I modified car by having different wheels when they clearly had the car with factory wheels sitting at their lot. How do I get my transmission replaced ?

 

I would assume the Magnuson-Moss act and or Lemon law would come into play here. Sounds to me like you have a lazy/dishonest dealer.

I really hope everything works out for you in the end and please keep us posted on what happens.

Good luck.

 

Well I am new to Mazda right at 1k miles on 3s gt hb manual, and I can say I really enjoy this transmission/moter. Sorry to hear about your guys problems. I have only had manuals for most of my cars, most resents are 11 Outback, 07 TSX, 02 CRV, 98 Accord all manuals and would of had a 15 Outback but they stopped the manuals and boy was that 6 speed sloppy on that 11 Outback...good thing because I got to wait for the s GT in manual! The only close runner is the TSX on quickness of shifting and smooth engagement. When I have gotten on it hard and do the quick shifts you do have to be deliberate but it goes right in for me. A lot of Outbacks had trouble with a vibration/shutter and a lot of folks on the forums were very upset and said they were all bad and had the shakes but mine didn't and many others like me did not.

All that said good luck with yours and getting the issues resolved, and stay on them and keep good documentation in case you need to invoke the Lemon Law.

Good Luck

 

Two months since I traded my M3 manual for automatic. Not a single issue so far. Better gas mileage - 8 litre/100km or 30 mpg just for short city trips. Very impressed with Mexican assembly - no squeaks or rattles at all.
xskynetx asked me in PM how to make Mazda to resolve this issue.
I would like to mention some rules that apply in any situation:
- praise, not confront (everything is fantastic except for this little issue)
- contact highest authority you can reach ( do not waste your time with front desk clerks)
- stay patient
Mazda 3 is really good car, somebody I know is a fleet manager at car rental company and Mazda is their favorite brand.
Currently I do not see any car on the market that I would rather have, I would go for another Mazda.
Best of luck!