I am stuck with a 2008 GT AWD (bought in April-08) and it is exhibiting a "harmonic vibration" throughout the car at highway speeds. It is worst between 55 and 80 mph. It is still noticeable at any speed above about 45 mph. After 300 miles on the interstate, I feel like I'm sitting on a paint-shaker
Dealer has tried:
* Tire rotate and balance - multiple times with force balancing, nothing odd found... no help.
* 4-wheel alignment no change, but it was fairly far out of spec after only 1,500 miles
* Replacing the tail-shaft very minor improvement. Note they did NOT issue a TSB on this but admitted it is a known problem.
* "Special Lube" in the rear differential - no change.
* Some form of elaborate balancing on the new tail-shaft no real change
I have tried simulating the RPMs in different gears and the vibe only appears at highway speeds not highway RPMs. So, its not the motor itself.
So, I asked Mazda to trade with me for a new car of the same type. They came back and said that putting me in a new car would not solve the problem. That the vibration was normal in their opinion. I asked them for a refund gee, what a surprise that they would say NO.
Bottom line, Mazda knows the car has this vibration issue. After testing/identifying FOUR units that all exhibit the vibration they could not cure it and have concluded it is as designed. Let me tell you, I have test driven almost all the CUVs out there and NONE vibrate like this. It is NOT normal!
If you own a CX-7 AWD you may have this defect and not realize it... yet.
The vibration is evident at all speeds over about 45 mph but most evident at 65 to 75 mph. The kicker is if you typically drive less than a couple hours non-stop you may not have experienced the true problem. Once the vehicle has been driven for several hours non-stop the vibration escalates dramatically almost as if you had a square tire.
So, if you own an AWD and you sense any constant vibration on smooth roads at highway speeds, you have the issue. And, I'd like to ask for some help. I'd like you to reply to this post so I can determine how widespread this issue is and make Mazda aware of enough other cases that it will be an incentive to realize they can't ignore this issue. Also, if you are NOT having the issue then you help me to prove it is not normal as Mazda says.
So, it appears they have me where they want me for now... they got my money and they are NOT going to fix the problem. A case of the big corporation showing what they really think of the customer. I am truly glad that Mazda does not make heart defibrillators!!
Dealer has tried:
* Tire rotate and balance - multiple times with force balancing, nothing odd found... no help.
* 4-wheel alignment no change, but it was fairly far out of spec after only 1,500 miles
* Replacing the tail-shaft very minor improvement. Note they did NOT issue a TSB on this but admitted it is a known problem.
* "Special Lube" in the rear differential - no change.
* Some form of elaborate balancing on the new tail-shaft no real change
I have tried simulating the RPMs in different gears and the vibe only appears at highway speeds not highway RPMs. So, its not the motor itself.
So, I asked Mazda to trade with me for a new car of the same type. They came back and said that putting me in a new car would not solve the problem. That the vibration was normal in their opinion. I asked them for a refund gee, what a surprise that they would say NO.
Bottom line, Mazda knows the car has this vibration issue. After testing/identifying FOUR units that all exhibit the vibration they could not cure it and have concluded it is as designed. Let me tell you, I have test driven almost all the CUVs out there and NONE vibrate like this. It is NOT normal!
If you own a CX-7 AWD you may have this defect and not realize it... yet.
The vibration is evident at all speeds over about 45 mph but most evident at 65 to 75 mph. The kicker is if you typically drive less than a couple hours non-stop you may not have experienced the true problem. Once the vehicle has been driven for several hours non-stop the vibration escalates dramatically almost as if you had a square tire.
So, if you own an AWD and you sense any constant vibration on smooth roads at highway speeds, you have the issue. And, I'd like to ask for some help. I'd like you to reply to this post so I can determine how widespread this issue is and make Mazda aware of enough other cases that it will be an incentive to realize they can't ignore this issue. Also, if you are NOT having the issue then you help me to prove it is not normal as Mazda says.
So, it appears they have me where they want me for now... they got my money and they are NOT going to fix the problem. A case of the big corporation showing what they really think of the customer. I am truly glad that Mazda does not make heart defibrillators!!