Transmission Noise problems of the 2014 Mazda MAZDA3

Around 68,000 miles, I began to hear a subtle whining noise coming from my 2014 Mazda Mazda3. I was unsure where it was coming from and originally thought it was something to do with the tires. As time passed, the noise became louder, eventually to the point where I felt I needed to get it checked out. A mechanic told me it was something to do with the automatic transmission because the sound was emitting there. He explained to me that there was a technical service bulletin posted by Mazda that described the exact issue, and that's what he's sure it is. I got a second opinion from another mechanic and he explained the same thing. The cost to replace the transmission with a remanufactured model is somewhere in the ballpark of $2,000 - $3,500. The second mechanic I went to showed me the technical service bulletin. After the description, the bulletin states, "this is caused by a damaged bearing in the transaxle due to improper configuration of the transaxle case. " this would be covered under warranty; unfortunately, the issue is known only to happen right around 65,000 + miles, after the warranty has expired. Because the technical service bulletin states the issue is "due to improper configuration", tells me that it is not something that should have happened. It only happened because of a manufacturing defect. After taking my car to the Mazda service center, and being told they can't do anything about it, as well as speaking with Mazda customer experience and explaining the situation, Mazda was unwilling to help because my vehicle is no longer in warranty. I believe that because this issue was due to 'improper configuration' Mazda should issue a recall. The technical service bulletin to reference for this complaint is bulletin 05-005/15 or NHTSA TSB # 10105626.

My daughter's 2014 Mazda3 transaxle was making a whining noise. Upon doing an internet search, we discovered a technical service bulletin (TSB) that addressed this situation. The TSB #'s are 05-008/16, 05-005/15 and 05-004/14, and mentioned a bearing in the transaxle will be damaged due to an improper configuration of the transaxle case. In other words the transaxle case was manufactured incorrectly and the transmission cannot be rebuilt. We visited several Mazda dealers whom verify the TSB addressed the situation. Mazda would not cover the $5,000 cost to replace the transaxle even though they knew at the time the car was purchased of the impending problem, and that it was only a matter of time before the transaxle would eventually fail, most likely once outside of the warranty period, which is just what happened. The transaxle failed at 70,000 miles, 10,000 miles over the 60,000 mile warranty, but it was well within the 5 year warranty period. We discussed the issue with at least a dozen local transmission repair shops for alternatives available. Additionally we also submitted an auto complaint form to the better business bureau (bbb), and spoke with the state of wisconsin consumer protector department, along with the lemon law auto area. We contacted Mazda USA's 800# and the dealership where the car was purchased trying to obtain a more favorable resolution. With the assistance of the service manager and Mazda zone representative, Mazda USA presented us with a final offer of $2,500 for a re-manufactured trans-axle. With no other avenue available, we decided to have the repair done at a final cost of $2,572. We feel Mazda should have issued a recall notice to fix this situation back in early 2014. They knew which cars manufactured would have the problem and at what point in time the trans-axles would fail. We are all very dissatisfied with Mazda USA.