Transfer Case Replaced at 7500 miles

[Mazda Seagull]

Just returned from the dealer where they replaced my 2013 CX-9 Transfer Case. They were responsive and it only took a few hours at no cost to me other than time spent taking care of the problem. I noticed burning plastic odor coming from the back of the engine compartment after driving the vehicle. Thought it might have been a plastic bag caught on the exhaust melting and burning away. I looked under the car and instead of seeing a lost plastic bag, I saw gear oil on the exhaust and plenty more on the center of the undercarriage dripping onto suspension parts. It definitely looked like some sort of gasket or seal rupture. There were no other indicators. Temp, oil, were both fine. Drove okay. No warning lights. Googled and found this forum and decided it might be the Transfer Case leaking. Made a service appointment..

Service diagnosed Transfer Case Leak and replaced it under warranty. When I asked why this part failed at 7500 miles (7-months of easy town driving in this new car), the service rep said the breather element got clogged and the seals ruptured under pressure. He said the new part has a better designed breather element.

I'm not familiar with Transfer Case design and function, so I'll take his word for it and hope the newly designed part lasts longer than 7500 miles. Sure glad they sold me the extended warranty. Because other than this incident, this car has been great, so far...

 

[jlanger]

Certainly something to keep an eye on. Was the only thing that caught my attention when looking at getting one. Though once fixed should stay that way.