Mazda CX-9 vibration, advice?

[Nathans_Dad]

Hey all,

I have a 2011 Mazda CX-9 Touring which is front wheel drive. The car has 68k miles on it. It has not had any issues in the past except a window motor that I replaced about 6 months ago. The oil has been changed as per the recommended schedule, the transmission fluid has not been changed nor have the spark plugs.

About 4-5 months ago I began to notice an intermittent vibration type noise which seemed to be coming from the passenger rear (initially). The noise occurs around 1500-2000 rpm, usually around 35-45 mph. It mostly occurs in 4th or 5th gear. The best situation to get it to occur is going around 40 mph, slightly uphill with just a little gas to maintain speed. Then you will get a continuous vibration or slight grinding noise. The noise will last for 3-5 seconds and then will usually stop. If you let off the gas the noise stops. If you accelerate firmly the noise will also stop. As I mentioned I originally thought it was a passenger rear noise but the more I hear it the more it sounds more like the front of the car.

I have taken it to our local shop and they have not been able to locate the problem. Again the noise is intermittent and it seems to not want to do with when a mechanic is driving it (of course). I also took it to a Mazda dealer this week and they also could not get it to make the noise. I did mention that the car sometimes "clunks" into drive or reverse from park, they said this was a bad transmission control module which they quoted me $1400 to replace. I asked them to button up the car and I would think about it.

I like the car and have enjoyed it for the 4 years I have owned it. I really don't want to buy another car right now. I took the car to CarMax and their offer is $12000.

I have looked on several Mazda forums and it seems the first recommendation for this sort of thing is to replace the plugs and coils as intermittent misfires can sometimes cause a vibration like this at specific RPMs. I can do that this weekend. Some have also suggested a drain and fill of the transmission fluid. The fluid is supposed to be lifetime but apparently some say this can help with these sorts of noises and harsh shifting into gear.

I really don't want to sink a lot of money into the car if it is only worth $12k and would probably cut my losses if I were told the tranny were bad and needed replacement as that would run me $4-6k.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[SCadaddle]

I'd walk out of CarMax with the 12k in my hand. Surely the 142 point inspection done by CarMax will fix it for the next owner.

[LeeH]

My Mazda5 had vibration issues like what you're describing. In my case it was the motor mounts.

[jeff_sin]

Originally Posted by Nathans_Dad

Hey all,

I have a 2011 Mazda CX-9 Touring which is front wheel drive. The car has 68k miles on it. It has not had any issues in the past except a window motor that I replaced about 6 months ago. The oil has been changed as per the recommended schedule, the transmission fluid has not been changed nor have the spark plugs.

About 4-5 months ago I began to notice an intermittent vibration type noise which seemed to be coming from the passenger rear (initially). The noise occurs around 1500-2000 rpm, usually around 35-45 mph. It mostly occurs in 4th or 5th gear. The best situation to get it to occur is going around 40 mph, slightly uphill with just a little gas to maintain speed. Then you will get a continuous vibration or slight grinding noise. The noise will last for 3-5 seconds and then will usually stop. If you let off the gas the noise stops. If you accelerate firmly the noise will also stop. As I mentioned I originally thought it was a passenger rear noise but the more I hear it the more it sounds more like the front of the car.

I have taken it to our local shop and they have not been able to locate the problem. Again the noise is intermittent and it seems to not want to do with when a mechanic is driving it (of course). I also took it to a Mazda dealer this week and they also could not get it to make the noise. I did mention that the car sometimes "clunks" into drive or reverse from park, they said this was a bad transmission control module which they quoted me $1400 to replace. I asked them to button up the car and I would think about it.

I like the car and have enjoyed it for the 4 years I have owned it. I really don't want to buy another car right now. I took the car to CarMax and their offer is $12000.

I have looked on several Mazda forums and it seems the first recommendation for this sort of thing is to replace the plugs and coils as intermittent misfires can sometimes cause a vibration like this at specific RPMs. I can do that this weekend. Some have also suggested a drain and fill of the transmission fluid. The fluid is supposed to be lifetime but apparently some say this can help with these sorts of noises and harsh shifting into gear.

I really don't want to sink a lot of money into the car if it is only worth $12k and would probably cut my losses if I were told the tranny were bad and needed replacement as that would run me $4-6k.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

I'm driving cx 9 as well and found your post that the same issue i am facing, may i know any update from you?