Blower motor rattles. Worth a trip to the dealer?

[elementCX5]

Hello, since my vehicle was 1 year in age I have had a rattle noise from the blower motor.

Car is now 2+ years old ( CX-5 2023MY) and has 28k miles, so still under warranty.
Blower motor still operates fine however it rattles more than it should imo.

I have taken out the filter, and stuck my phone camera inside to verify there is no debris.

The blower motor fan also rattles when air filter is removed.

The rattle will stop if I turn the fan level lower then back to where it was. The fan level seems a bit inconsistent imo but that's not an issue to me.

In everybody's opinion is this worth a trip to the dealer? I just don't want to pay for their diagnosis and it not to be covered under warranty. The only way I don't pay for diagnosis at the dealer is if they find something that is covered under warranty. If they don't seem to think something is wrong, I will be charged $200.

Thanks!

I attached a video of the noise below. It's louder in person, but can be inconsistent and happens more on hot days.

 

[RedBaron]

In everybody's opinion is this worth a trip to the dealer?

Absolutely. Either something is loose, or it's a bad bearing. Either way, it won't get any better and if you go out of warranty, it'll be on your dime.

They won't charge you a fee if they don't find anything wrong (and if they don't, keep pushing and show them the video).

 

[gazelle]

Please keep us posted. same thing on 2021, about 25k, but out of warranty
I had a more pronounced rattling caused by dry leaf that made it past the filter somehow, removed it and it was fine for a year
Now it started to vibrate on higher RPMs, and there's nothing in or around the filter

 

[elementCX5]

I'll have to make an appointment then. I've been busy so it might be a month or so but I will keep you all posted on what they say. Thx for the replies.

The dealer near me does charge if they don't find anything wrong. They did when I smelled a bit of gas in the oil. I was worried about fuel diluting the oil. It was before the TSB for the thermostat, and could've been made worse because of that.

Either way, you're right with video it's hard to argue it's 100% intended operation.

 

[chickdr]

There is no way they won't replace that blower motor under warranty if it makes that sound all the time. I had a similar issue on a 2011 Tacoma. They swapped it out - no issues. Mazda is pretty good in my experience.

 

[weitau]

I swapped out my blower motor on my 2014 CX-5 in 30 minutes without special tools. If it's under warranty, just take it in. They are paid by Mazda if they perform the repair, and since you have the video, it's an open and shut case.

 

[elementCX5]

There is no way they won't replace that blower motor under warranty if it makes that sound all the time. I had a similar issue on a 2011 Tacoma. They swapped it out - no issues. Mazda is pretty good in my experience.

It doesn't sound that loud all the time, but does make a rhythmic noise like it's out of balance or bearings are on the way out.

I took an interior video and it doesn't sound great. I couldn't spot any debris either.

I have an appointment Monday at the dealer so I will keep you all updated.

 

[Mazdiod2]

On this last video it sounds like the noise starts right along with the motor as it intially starts up, rather than after it gets up to speed. I wonder if there is something lodged in it that you can't see. I guess it could also be a frayed or loose winding inside the motor, or something wrong with the brushes.

 

[chickdr]

Both videos seem to indicate that the motor is faulty to me. I suspect you will be posting that the dealer replaced it free of charge.