My 2014 CX-5 with 99,000 km sometimes will not shift into gear (Drive), or, when accelerating in 1st or 2nd go into neutral, the gear indicator on dash (D) goes blank. I shift into manual gear and back into "D" and it will drive normally. Once warm there are no problems. This is a safety hazard when in traffic, or, pulling out from an intersection.
Transmission shifts to neutral in (D), 1st or 2nd gear when cold and indicator blank
- Thread starter gordonemunro
- Start date
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- 2023 CX-5 2.5 Turbo AWD Auto
RIP 8/23:2013 CX-5 Sport FWD Auto 120k
I’d check the level of the transmission fluid. It might be low. Not much else you can do at this point.
id move the airbox out of the way but keep it connected electronically. Start and Run the car until the blue light goes off indicating that warm air would be available to the heater. Remove the transmission cap/dipstick and check the level while running. Top it off with FZ fluid if necessary.
id move the airbox out of the way but keep it connected electronically. Start and Run the car until the blue light goes off indicating that warm air would be available to the heater. Remove the transmission cap/dipstick and check the level while running. Top it off with FZ fluid if necessary.
I started having this issue on my 2015. The issue is the gear selector cable that goes from the transmission to the gear selector.
You can remove the bezel around the gear shift and adjust the cable. It’s relatively easy, but can take a few adjustments to get it right.
After adjusting mine, it’s better, but still not perfect. I don’t know if the gear selector assembly is wearing or if the actual cable has stretched or is binding from potential corrosion.
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Thank you, I noticed yesterday that if I held the gearshift back and to the left (light pressure) the transmission shifted normally without any problems.
I took a better look at mine today and the issue was actually the shift cable where it connects to a pivot point on the top of the transmission. The lever was corroded which made pivoting difficult.
If you remove two 10mm bolts that holds in the air box and remove the air box assembly you have full access to the area needed. It took some time to get the cable off of the lever, but once I cleaned it up and lubricated it, the car now shifts like it did when new.
If you remove two 10mm bolts that holds in the air box and remove the air box assembly you have full access to the area needed. It took some time to get the cable off of the lever, but once I cleaned it up and lubricated it, the car now shifts like it did when new.
Attachments
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- 2023 CX-5 2.5 Turbo AWD Auto
RIP 8/23:2013 CX-5 Sport FWD Auto 120k
Sounds like you saved yourself the cost of a transmission replacement. How often do you hear stories of people fixing their issues by having their mechanic cleaning up a cable? I haven’t heard them yet! Simple stuff like that doesn’t seem to be checked. Nicely done!
The transmission itself was fine so I wouldn’t have had to replace it. However, if left in a corroded state, it could have damaged the cable and likely would have prevented the transmission from shifting into gear.
I have not heard of this issue on any CX-5, but Mazda has been using the same design on many of their models for at least the last two decades and there are plenty of documented issues regarding the shifting cable where it meets the transmission when corrosion is present. Some grease goes a long way in preventing the issue altogether.
I live in Windsor, ON which borders Detroit, so yeah, salted roads are part of life during the winter months. That said, I do have my vehicle corrosion ‘proofed’ annually but they probably can’t reach into such a tight area with their wands.
I presume my issue is due to the age of the vehicle and mileage (313,000km/195,000mi). As CX-5s age, I presume others will report similar issues.
I have not heard of this issue on any CX-5, but Mazda has been using the same design on many of their models for at least the last two decades and there are plenty of documented issues regarding the shifting cable where it meets the transmission when corrosion is present. Some grease goes a long way in preventing the issue altogether.
I live in Windsor, ON which borders Detroit, so yeah, salted roads are part of life during the winter months. That said, I do have my vehicle corrosion ‘proofed’ annually but they probably can’t reach into such a tight area with their wands.
I presume my issue is due to the age of the vehicle and mileage (313,000km/195,000mi). As CX-5s age, I presume others will report similar issues.
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- 2023 CX-5 2.5 Turbo AWD Auto
RIP 8/23:2013 CX-5 Sport FWD Auto 120k
Completely agree. I’m just highly skeptical that my local Mazda dealer would have come to that same (and correct) conclusion.
Joe's Advice worked for me. THANKS JOE! Two 10 mills up on the top of the air intake pipe where it is open facing to the front. Then loosen the boot and take off the top of the filter housing by removing two spring clips. Getting the lower unit out is tight but do-able. pop up the lower unit from the three rubber holders and then just tilt and pull up until you can get the whole thing out. I had to press on the steel bracket behind the air box a bit to get it out and in again. Then as Joe shows in the pictures the linkage and cable are easily accessible.
For my car it was very corroded (do to northern Canada road applications). I took some synthetic motor oil and an old tooth brush and soaked and brushed the two pivot points from every angle possible. Waited a day and then did it again. Now it slots right back into drive properly and shifts much smoother. Thanks again Joe for saving my a shop bill.
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- Canada
That's the one
Thank you, you saved my time and money, it works now!
