Mazda TSB: 2.5L with CD & 6AT… 3, 6, CX-5, CX-30 owners get in here

[ltslimjim]

So, I’m in the market for a newer vehicle and came across this TSB while looking at Mazda recommendations:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10244672-0001.pdf

From this thread:

2017~2024 - CX-5 Chirp Noise from Automatic Transaxle on 3-4 upshift - Bulletin 05-005/23

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS NOTE: Vehicles with cylinder deaction have a "M" as the 8th digit in the VIN for the 2.5L with cylinder deactivation. 2017-2024 CX-5 (2.5L with cylinder deactivation and 6AT) 2018-2021 Mazda6 (2.5L with cylinder deactivation and 6AT) 2019-2024 Mazda3 (2.5L with cylinder...

mazdas247.com

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS

NOTE: Vehicles with cylinder deaction have a "M" as the 8th digit in the VIN for the 2.5L with cylinder deactivation.
2017-2024 CX-5 (2.5L with cylinder deactivation and 6AT)
2018-2021 Mazda6 (2.5L with cylinder deactivation and 6AT)
2019-2024 Mazda3 (2.5L with cylinder deactivation and 6AT)
2020-2024 CX-30 (2.5L with cylinder deactivation and 6AT)

DESCRIPTION
Some vehicles may exhibit a chirp noise (stick-slip noise) from the automatic transaxle (AT) when shifting from 3 to 4 while driving.

This may be caused by the automatic transaxle fluid (ATF) being contaminated by iron powder due to excessive wearing of the lock up clutch in the torque converter.

 

[Nessism1]

Have read about nightmares with cylinder deactivation on certain GM products. I'm no expert, but given a choice, I'd choose to skip that feature.

PS: yes, I know, cylinder deactivation has nothing to do with transmission wear. Please forgive my drift...

 

[ltslimjim]

Have read about nightmares with cylinder deactivation on certain GM products. I'm no expert, but given a choice, I'd choose to skip that feature.

PS: yes, I know, cylinder deactivation has nothing to do with transmission wear. Please forgive my drift...

Well, according to some on that Mazda forum, it sounds like CD creates extra vibration and manufacturer’s changed some of the transmission design to compensate.

They appear to be related. Otherwise, why only the CD engines having transmission effected per the TSB? Excess wear in the fluid basically causing the shifting symptom. In this case, it appears to be the torque converter being the source. It’s all connected in one way or another.

 

[Kira]

I read the Mazda247 link.
If you have one of the effected vehicles, selling it fast might be the smartest thing to do.

If I read it right, the chirp is clutch material binding up in a tricked-out flywheel.
There was some mention of a shaft, but the description went nowhere.

 

[michaelluscher]

PS: yes, I know, cylinder deactivation has nothing to do with transmission wear. Please forgive my drift...

On certain GM Powertrains, it does

One of the TikTok transmission team explained it, something about how the PCM PWMs the TCC solenoid to smooth out shifts and power delivery when in V4/V6 AFM in a V8 truck
This wears out the torque converter faster, sending debris through the whole transmission and it fails shortly after
@clinebarger would have a better explanation about it

This TSB sounds a lot like some Toyotas a few years back
Swap the TCC, fluid flush, test drive, fluid flush
Hopefully it fixes it

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

2024 owners should be especially careful to check the VIN; not all of this model year have cylinder deactivation. Mazda cited parts shortages and stopped including this “feature” in late 2023 production.

 

[dnewton3]

Did I read that right?
Why, oh Why, is there cylinder deactivation on a 4 Cyl ??????????????

 

[Skippy722]

Did I read that right?
Why, oh Why, is there cylinder deactivation on a 4 Cyl ??????????????

Because a real world 0.05mpg improvement makes the EPA happy.

 

[Nessism1]

Because a real world 0.05mpg improvement makes the EPA happy.

Not EPA. It gives Mazda more CAFE headroom.

 

[Skippy722]

Not EPA. It gives Mazda more CAFE headroom.

EPA, CAFE… just another governmental alphabet soup thing.

 

[Nessism1]

EPA, CAFE… just another governmental alphabet soup thing.

...speaking of alphabet soup, the users on this forum use more acronyms than any other I've ever participated on. You have to be one of the "cool kids", or have spent countless hours here to understand what half the people here post about.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Sometime in 11/2023 CD free on the CX-5

 

[Nukeman7]

...speaking of alphabet soup, the users on this forum use more acronyms than any other I've ever participated on. You have to be one of the "cool kids", or have spent countless hours here to understand what half the people here post about.

Or just use the Glossary link located at the top right header of the BITOG home page:

BITOG Glossary

 

[Skippy722]

...speaking of alphabet soup, the users on this forum use more acronyms than any other I've ever participated on. You have to be one of the "cool kids", or have spent countless hours here to understand what half the people here post about.

99.9% of the time I just type it out lol, computer hardware forums are even worse though!

 

[Urshurak776]

Well this is just great. Yup, wife’s 2024 CX-5 has an ‘M’ in the 8th digit.

Have not heard a chirping sound. I’m going to call them Monday.

 

[JTK]

That is interesting. A few days ago I test drove a 2021 CX-5 AWD touring. I don't recall seeing anything about that 2.5 having cylinder deactivation on the "features". I really loved the interior fit, finish and features and I'm not a fancy feature guy.

 

[PWMDMD]

Have read about nightmares with cylinder deactivation on certain GM products. I'm no expert, but given a choice, I'd choose to skip that feature.

PS: yes, I know, cylinder deactivation has nothing to do with transmission wear. Please forgive my drift...

There is a guy on TokTik (I know I know) who has a transmission shop who was talking about GM transmissions that physically unchanged from units sold a few years ago, now have significant reliability issues. People have been speculating about changes in clutch material or manufacturing details. He has concluded it's entirely due to programming and more specifically when and how often the torque convert locks. He has computer data to back his claims. Now, I have no idea if he's right but it's plausible that simply changing the mapping/programming of a transmission could affect longevity. I wonder if Mazda made changes to the programming to compensate for cylinder deactivation.

 

[HemiBenny]

Interesting that the 2023-24 CX50’s are not included in this, but every other model with a 2.5 w/CD is.

 

[ltslimjim]

Interesting that the 2023-24 CX50’s are not included in this, but every other model with a 2.5 w/CD is.

Good question.

 

[HemiBenny]

Good question.

The 2024 CX30, CX5, and Mazda 3 use ATF A7 in the transmissions with CD engines while the CX50 still uses ATF FZ in their transmissions with CD engines. That’s the only difference in the 2024 CX50 vs the others, but previous to that, it’s all the same. I’m really intrigued by this.