Has Mazda become a no go due to cylinder deactivation?

[draculr]

I was looking to purchase a new Mazda 3 in Australia as I'd like to get a small, reliable car. We have a couple of skyactiv-g engined Mazdas in the family and I've been very happy with them. However, I just found out about this cylinder deactivation thing that is now on all the engine choices we get on the 3 in Australia (which is just the 2.0l and 2.5l NA engines).

All I see are problems relating to various engine issues, vibrations as it transitions in and out of cylinder deactivation mode and seemingly worst of all the transmission issues due to iron contamination.

Is it really that bad? Has it been fixed in 2025 cars? I'd like to keep the car for a long time but all I can see are bad signs and very little in return in terms of fuel economy.

 

[CharBaby]

If you can get a Mazda or any vehicle without the cylinder deactivation, that's the way to go.

 

[wsar10]

Its the same old story.... Something good does not last forever. It happens with EVERY decent engine...
I love the 2.5, specifically the 2.5 MZR. My MZR in my 3 is hands downs the better engine in many anecdotal ways vs my SKACTIVE 2.5. I have actually gotten frustrated at the lack of power from our 2.5 SKYACTIVE... Its just pathetic and I will not go to s turbo anything as a daily driver family vehicle. I figured that this engine in our CX-5 would be the last variation of the 2.5 I ever buy from MAZDA and you just confirmed it. Although MAZDA was supposedly mastering a 3.0 inline 6 engine, I will say that this did excite me! I am a big fan of inline engines and a platform such as that, would have endless ability across a variety of applications.

I am also a LEXUS guy and its that same thing, they have phased out the 3.5 in any application they can replacing it with this annoyingly noisy and over revving turbo 4cyl non-sense... So I guess my options are now limited there as well.

They claim its new car prices keeping the used car market afloat, I would say a larger portion is due to poor decisions from auto makers on new cars that FORCE consumers to purchased used more reliable vehicles. However, its not lost on me that their decision was forced as well, they just may not have executed it very effectively in the long run.

I still think one of if not the biggest abominations of an engine line-up in my lifetime, was JEEP tossing the 4.0 inline 6 to try and meet CAFE standards. Hands down one of the most beloved and reliable engines in the world, replaced with an oil eating mini-van V6 that still could not get out of its own way, but hey it saved .000001 MPG's, went 10MPH faster, and could use vegetable oil (5-20), so it was all good.... Right?

Rant over!

 

[JavierH19]

I'd pass on it. A 4 cyl with cyl deactivation? stupid.

 

[andrew_j]

I have it on a 2015 Pilot with 135k and think the endless worry and concern is whatever. No issues and not noticeable about 98% of driving.

 

[chexxers]

KISS keep it simple stupid!! i know ita all about MPGs these days but less is more IMO, own a 2011 frontier + a 2001 audi TT225Q, both manuals + both port injected ONLY!!

 

[OneLonelyBurrito]

I think the concern about cylinder deactivation on this site is overblown. I put my money where my mouth is and bought a Mazda with cylinder deactivation. Haven’t had any trouble with it yet. I have had some minor problems with different parts though.

 

[rijndael]

My (new to me) CX-5 2.5 has deactivation. I would have preferred to not have it, but it's better than a CVT'd alternative vehicle.

 

[goblin]

It's very simple for me - UNLESS there's some mind-blowing idiocy baked in (Nissan's variable compression or premature pushes for CVT come to mind, although I'm not quite sure how much of this was a push from Japan and how much of it was from Renault and US design offices) - I will simply trust whatever a Japanese, Made in Japan (and to a just slightly lesser extent - a Korean Made in Korea) vehicle throws my way.

When VTEC first came out everybody was screaming bloody murder about expected reliability. Before that, when PGM-FI was released (at least - in France, where everything was still carburated) - everybody threw their hands at the sky. "Pardieu, mon Solex carburettorrrr is morrre rrrreliableuh!".

Throw an assembly line elsewhere though, and things get more fizzy. When my CRX's starter finally died I went to a junkyard (Europe) and pulled one out of a Rover 216. Same D16 DOHC engine, fresh from Japan, car made in UK. Peripherals were different. The starter was no longer a Denshigiken but a Lucas. Same starter otherwise.
And wooof: Gone was the Japanese superbike starter cranking noise. Gone was the Bzi-bzi-bzi-bziiii that I loved. Heloo "Wa-wa-wa-wa-wa" a la Euro car.

Mazda is still Hiroshima. Have at it

 

[Zee09]

I did the Mazda research and test drive routine this year. People love them but I found them just as funky as Subaru and I bailed. The value was definitely there but not for me.
Maybe next time...

 

[rijndael]

(and to a just slightly lesser extent - a Korean Made in Korea) vehicle throws my way.

My trust in Korean cars is vastly different than yours.

 

[goblin]

My trust in Korean cars is vastly different than yours.

Fair enough
Been following them for the last 15ish years. Every issue or recall I've seen (including the infamous 4-cyl engine one) was for units made in the US. I could of course be wrong.
It's just that I like brands that improve with every generation, vs plateau-ing or going downhill. Koreans were like that, starting from pure unadulterated s#it and improving with every generation. Their big leap forward (in a non-Maoist sense ) was around 2010. And before that - I wouldn't mind a V8 Borrego neither. But boy are those rare.

 

[97prizm]

Fair enough
Been following them for the last 15ish years. Every issue or recall I've seen (including the infamous 4-cyl engine one) was for units made in the US. I could of course be wrong.
It's just that I like brands that improve with every generation, vs plateau-ing or going downhill. Koreans were like that, starting from pure unadulterated s#it and improving with every generation. Their big leap forward (in a non-Maoist sense ) was around 2010. And before that - I wouldn't mind a V8 Borrego neither. But boy are those rare.

Doug Demuro had a video or post about the Kia Borrego. A one-year-only v8 that was a flop supposedly due to sky high gas prices. If anyone bubble wrapped one, what do you think Bartett Jackson 2050?

 

[goblin]

...the Kia Borrego...

It (or some of its local South Korean market siblings) was the main vehicle at the end of the "I saw the Devil" movie, at the end, and it was quite epic. The movie was great too, if a bit too cheesy at the beginning. Not for sensitive people though. A lot of gore.

 

[barryh]

Cylinder deactivation has been around for a long time, I first experienced it 20 years ago in a 300C and it was imperceptible even back then. My current Golf 4 cylinder has it and if it wasn't for the car telling me it's switched into 2 cylinder mode I wouldn't know it was happening except for the instantaneous increase in MPG. If Mazda hasn't achieved the same level of sophistication then perhaps it's best avoided in that car unless there is a way to disable it by selecting a different driving mode. In the Golf's case it doesn't activate easily, it has to be a very light engine load either on a dead flat road or down hill. The slightest increased load or throttle will swich it back to 4 cylinders.

 

[Nessism1]

Some long threads here about Mazda's with cylinder deactivation trashing their transmission. I struggled to accept, but it's clearly true.

 

[draculr]

I did the Mazda research and test drive routine this year. People love them but I found them just as funky as Subaru and I bailed. The value was definitely there but not for me.
Maybe next time...

Was there anything else you were looking at? The only other option I found was something like a Toyota hybrid but it's a fair bit more expensive than Mazda.

 

[Zee09]

Was there anything else you were looking at? The only other option I found was something like a Toyota hybrid but it's a fair bit more expensive than Mazda.

I looked at many like the Subaru Legacy as it was the last year and discounted well optioned for $26k,
And the Escape Hybrid FWD deeply discounted but overpriced at MSRP

Considered Toyotas but I always went elsewhere like Honda. I have 3 late model vehicles but I had a nostalgia vehicle in the past, actually four but they are now overpriced because they are made in Japan. Totally reliable and great resale, AWD, and good options but not Hybrid mpg... Yes Mitsubishi Outlander Sport..poo pooed by those who never owned them. 2L port injection, plain and simple easy maintenance and the most reliable run around I have ever owned. Never a CVT issue... Great warranty and complimentary service. More info in Let's Talk New Vehicles here....

I also looked at the VW models as I have a Arteon ...priced right but the Sport is better for me as I don't want DI.... throw in the new Chevy Trax but the wet belt I didn't like or the turbo.

 

[wsar10]

My trust in Korean cars is vastly different than yours.

And I'm still trying to figure out what the hell he said....

I agree with your thought, but I do agree with his in many scenarios about JAPAN. Takumi means something to me!
We did have a KIA that was built in Alabama, engine in NC(IIRC) and it was a great vehicle, aside from 120k timing chain maintenance it was a **** good 3.5l AWD V6 that was very well loaded and as snappy as you would ever want. Honestly I would not be caught dead even riding PASSENGER in a Korean built KIA prior to 2010ish!

I think everyone here and anywhere else would definitely disagree that VVT items were indeed problematic and in fact in some situations 30 years later STILL ARE.

Cylinder deactivation is nothing new in the US, I think my buddies 1995 Coupe Deville had it, or maybe his Fleetwood. I will say in the Caddy back then I could not even tell and had no issues until that car was at 90k mi. (it was sold then) It was a 4.5l FWD V8 and just dreamy to take trips in! What a cool car...

However, I agree that less is more and if I can avoid major systems becoming options, I will. I'm sorry but I think its ridiculous to try and shut down even more of an underpowered fuel saving engine, "have your cake and eat it too" and other cliche comments that politely disguise greed could possibly apply as well. Call me crazy, but I too hunt non-DI vehicles when shopping as much as possible.

I agree with KISS! I would pass on being a Guinea pig and reconsider in 2 years when we have data on reliability.

 

[Frankrank]

I gave upon cylinder deactivation when my Dad's Caddy with the infamous 4-6-8 V8 grenaded 42 years ago leaving us stranded in Scranton, Pa..