Environmental parameters?

[banjos-n-beer]

CX-5s have never had the best reliability record. If reliability is what you're after and you need an SUV, check out a 4runner. We bought one in 2012 and it's been completely hiccup free. Being the car nerd that we all are, I signed up on the 4runner forum. One thing that tripped me out is the mileage on some of those guys' cars. If you have a 4runner/tacoma and it takes a s*** after 500k miles, you got a lemon. There are literally dozens of people on that club with 750K mile cars that are still chugging along.

It's no CX-5 when you're driving it though. The Mazda is SO much better through the curves and SO much more comfortable than the truck-based 4runner. The Mazda accents the "Sport" in SUV and the Toyota focuses on the "Utility" part.

Well, I had a 2001 4Runner SR5, and dumped it with ~99k back in early 2014. I had had it for about 9 years, and it treated me rather well. But since the rear differential was rotted out, I was not going to spend several grand replacing it on a 13 year old vehicle. Engine was still in good shape, but the body was also wearing out. Further, it also had electrical problems (rear defroster dead, and window locks that would operate on their own after moist days during warm weather.... basically it would constantly lock/unlock itself for hours on end). I also had to replace the front calipers early on which were quite freakin' expensive as well.

Never felt uneasy taking it down back roads and out in snow storms, but yeah, it rides like a truck. Constant jostling over any little road imperfection.

I definitely like the CX5 better, but the 4Runner was a great camping vehicle.

 

[Unobtanium]

Well, I had a 2001 4Runner SR5, and dumped it with ~99k back in early 2014. I had had it for about 9 years, and it treated me rather well. But since the rear differential was rotted out, I was not going to spend several grand replacing it on a 13 year old vehicle. Engine was still in good shape, but the body was also wearing out. Further, it also had electrical problems (rear defroster dead, and window locks that would operate on their own after moist days during warm weather.... basically it would constantly lock/unlock itself for hours on end). I also had to replace the front calipers early on which were quite freakin' expensive as well.

Never felt uneasy taking it down back roads and out in snow storms, but yeah, it rides like a truck. Constant jostling over any little road imperfection.

I definitely like the CX5 better, but the 4Runner was a great camping vehicle.

I'm just not impressed with a 2015 blowing teh rear diff with 41K miles. I've taken CARS through water FAR deeper than that little creek that overflowed the road that MIKEM keeps harping on. I doubt that's what did it, very highly.

 

[piotrek91]

I'm just not impressed with a 2015 blowing teh rear diff with 41K miles. I've taken CARS through water FAR deeper than that little creek that overflowed the road that MIKEM keeps harping on. I doubt that's what did it, very highly.

Do you have any better ideas about why you are the very first CX-5 to have problems with the rear diff on this forum?
Plenty of CX-5's here in much colder places than AR.

 

[mazdadude]

Here are some pics of what the rear diff assembly looks like in this auction... $1,300

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Mazda-CX5-Rear-Differential-OE-OEM-KAT1-27-020-/301666769838?hash=item463cbd9bae:g:ijYAAOSwLVZVhHvE&vxp=mtr

 

[banjos-n-beer]

I'm just not impressed with a 2015 blowing teh rear diff with 41K miles. I've taken CARS through water FAR deeper than that little creek that overflowed the road that MIKEM keeps harping on. I doubt that's what did it, very highly.

I'd be irritated as well. But Toyotas aren't what they used to be, and the newer ones are even less reliable than the ones of yesteryear.

Also- I drove my CX5 thru about a foot of water (flooded road that I couldn't avoid or turn around on, but it was well above the 8.5" clearance). I wasn't happy about it, but I'm not having any problems, and its much colder up here than where you are.

 

[Unobtanium]

Selenoid failure. Whole diff needs to be replaced. Absolutely nothing to due with water getting in and freezing and blowing anything apart. Mazda is covering all of it.

I'm still not impressed with this failure. Pretty bad tthat you can randomly have a Selenoid failure that takes the whole diff out. On a Chrysler qd2, thats a few hundred in labor and a hundred bucks or so for the part...on mazda, god knows how much labor and a new diff are. Typical japanese. Light and artfully made. Stupid design and costly to maintain. Thay was my same complaint about my Infiniti and 370z. I have a massive 100k warranty. Feel for all you mazda owners that didn't spring for it...

 

[Unobtanium]

Do you have any better ideas about why you are the very first CX-5 to have problems with the rear diff on this forum?
Plenty of CX-5's here in much colder places than AR.

Yes, mazda blamed random failure. I saw where the vent hole and tube are. There is no way in hell water got in it. MikeM was making a good guess or going on a fishing expedition, I'm not sure which, but that isn't what occurred.

 

[Unobtanium]

Well, I go to pick it up to drive it until they can get a diff from wherever (Japan?), and there is a huge crack in the windshield. obvious source is a rock chip. Well, s***. I knew Japanese glass was fragile (Infiniti and then Nissan ownership taught me these things), though, and so I have $0 deductible on my glass. It's just an inconvenience at this point. I really hate my CX-5 this week. The glass is just a Japan thing, but and this selenoid is just a human thing, but thankfully I bought smart with coverages, and none of this costs me a dime. Just irritation. Nice thing, too, as I'm picking up a $2200 rifle scope later this month and would hate for something I don't like (My CX-5. I used to say "I don't like it, but I live with it because I have no reason NOT to like it...but now I guess that's a neutral, too...) ruin something I do.

 

[piotrek91]

Selenoid failure. Whole diff needs to be replaced. Absolutely nothing to due with water getting in and freezing and blowing anything apart. Mazda is covering all of it.

I'm still not impressed with this failure. Pretty bad tthat you can randomly have a Selenoid failure that takes the whole diff out. On a Chrysler qd2, thats a few hundred in labor and a hundred bucks or so for the part...on mazda, god knows how much labor and a new diff are. Typical japanese. Light and artfully made. Stupid design and costly to maintain. Thay was my same complaint about my Infiniti and 370z. I have a massive 100k warranty. Feel for all you mazda owners that didn't spring for it...

Yes, mazda blamed random failure. I saw where the vent hole and tube are. There is no way in hell water got in it. MikeM was making a good guess or going on a fishing expedition, I'm not sure which, but that isn't what occurred.

thanks for the update. Hopefully it gets fixed properly and lasts way longer than 41k this time.
I agree. An impressive failure would have resulted in pieces of your rear differential spilled onto the freeway.

 

[banjos-n-beer]

Selenoid failure. Whole diff needs to be replaced. Absolutely nothing to due with water getting in and freezing and blowing anything apart. Mazda is covering all of it.

I'm still not impressed with this failure. Pretty bad tthat you can randomly have a Selenoid failure that takes the whole diff out. On a Chrysler qd2, thats a few hundred in labor and a hundred bucks or so for the part...on mazda, god knows how much labor and a new diff are. Typical japanese. Light and artfully made. Stupid design and costly to maintain. Thay was my same complaint about my Infiniti and 370z. I have a massive 100k warranty. Feel for all you mazda owners that didn't spring for it...

Well, experience often generates our strongest opinions. The Achilles heel in my old 3000 GT VR4 was a German Tranny along with a weakly constructed Transfer Case. They were very costly items to replace. Luckily I never got to experience an exploding TC, although my Tranny was dieing at ~100k.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

I wonder if diff fluid was low from factory? I plan to change my diff fluid in the next 5K miles.

 

[Unobtanium]

thanks for the update. Hopefully it gets fixed properly and lasts way longer than 41k this time.
I agree. An impressive failure would have resulted in pieces of your rear differential spilled onto the freeway.

It would be something I could understand. Maybe if it blew up when I floored it, as you describe, I dunno. Just "it randomly died" kindof sets poorly. I want a Michael Bey type diff failure! 'MURICA!

 

[Unobtanium]

I wonder if diff fluid was low from factory? I plan to change my diff fluid in the next 5K miles.

It was changed right on schedule at 28,800 miles, per the factory manual, by the Mazda dealer, during my ownership, receipt in hand.

 

[Unobtanium]

Well, experience often generates our strongest opinions. The Achilles heel in my old 3000 GT VR4 was a German Tranny along with a weakly constructed Transfer Case. They were very costly items to replace. Luckily I never got to experience an exploding TC, although my Tranny was dieing at ~100k.

The VR4 was an amazing vehicle, for its time, so long as you had deep pockets.

 

[banjos-n-beer]

No kidding. When I bought my first 3000 GT (non turbo) my insurance payment was more per month than my car payment. Turning 25 cut the insurance cost in half.

 

[Unobtanium]

No kidding. When I bought my first 3000 GT (non turbo) my insurance payment was more per month than my car payment. Turning 25 cut the insurance cost in half.

Insane. No age mattered for me. I bought my Z06 when I was 25, and inquired about it when I was 24 (got it around my Birthday), and there was 0 change. Coverage on my existing vehicle (4-door sedan), also did not change. Z06 insurance for full coverage and the highest limits legally allowed in my state, and free-replacement within 3 years if I totalled it was $186/mo, as I recall. Year and car were 2011. State, Louisiana.

 

[banjos-n-beer]

Insurance in Maine (year 2000) on the first 3000 (1995) was $3,600/yr at 24 years old, with one (and still only) speeding ticket from like 3 years prior. Dropped to $1800/yr when I turned 25 3 months later.

I think I might have been able to get slightly cheaper insurance elsewhere, but I was happy with the agent that provided it. (They knew me by name, small town stuff).

 

[Unobtanium]

Insurance in Maine (year 2000) on the first 3000 (1995) was $3,600/yr at 24 years old, with one (and still only) speeding ticket from like 3 years prior. Dropped to $1800/yr when I turned 25 3 months later.

Because the ticket fell off, or because you were 25? I have never had anything on my record, but I have friends who have, and it can cause havoc on rates!

 

[banjos-n-beer]

Since it was my first ticket it didn't affect my policy. Getting older was the reason. It happened again (policy cost went down) sometime during my mid 30s. My dad jokes he's now at the age where his policy is going up due to age even with a clean record. Actuarial math stuff.

Must be local regulations affecting policy plan costs. For example, insurance for my cheap little 84 VW GTI when in college in Massachusetts in 1996 was more than I paid for the car, but it was a "no fault" state, and therefore even more costly than insurance back home in Maine.

 

[MikeM.]

Well, I go to pick it up to drive it until they can get a diff from wherever (Japan?), and there is a huge crack in the windshield. obvious source is a rock chip. Well, s***. I knew Japanese glass was fragile (Infiniti and then Nissan ownership taught me these things), though, and so I have $0 deductible on my glass. It's just an inconvenience at this point. I really hate my CX-5 this week. The glass is just a Japan thing, but and this selenoid is just a human thing, but thankfully I bought smart with coverages, and none of this costs me a dime. Just irritation.

Why do you keep calling it a "selenoid"? I believe you mean solenoid.

One thing I've noticed in my 50 odd years of living on this planet is that people with bad attitudes tend to have more than their share of bad luck. Now, I don't really believe in bad luck per say, it seems people manifest things around them. Positive happy people manifest positive happy things, angry, negative people manifest unhappy, negative things into their lives. It's perhaps related to the concept of self-fulfilling prophecy (if you think everyone is out to screw you, you will probably get screwed).

Now I'm not saying that's what happened here - I'm really not superstitious like that and I don't know all the particulars (whether the differential fluid was properly changed, how deep the water was, etc. etc. etc.) But I do think your attitude could stand some improvement. Life is too precious to be so negative about so many things. And please lose the hard-on you seem to have for this MikeM. character Oh, wait, that's me!