Brand New '09 Transmission Problems
Software Engineer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 1
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Registered User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Belmont, CA
Just bought my '09 in late October, and noticed the tranny issues described. Going into 6th gear the gears grind REALLY bad.
Stealership told me that the syncros are bad and they will need to replace the whole trans. I'm assuming this is a common issue - but I do know that my car sat out on the lot for over a year...
Stealership told me that the syncros are bad and they will need to replace the whole trans. I'm assuming this is a common issue - but I do know that my car sat out on the lot for over a year...
Mu ha.. ha...
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,361
Likes: 3
From: Cali
Dark Lord, take it back one more time. Make the document you have that problem.
In fact all members that have this problem need to do this. After you have a reciept with the documentation... you can sue them if it causes you to be in an accident. If your dead your relatives can sue.
This is not any different than Toyota's floor mat issue.
They need to take the serial number, lot number and do a trace to find out what is wrong with some of these transmissions.
Alos, once it is documented. Send a copy th the National Transportation Board.
Why?
Because it is a pain in the **** when you have this problem. Plus it's a safety issue. You could kill someone like a motorcyclist or someone else in a car since it goes into neutral.
Don't be a pacifist. Rise up and Rebel. Mazda will not listen until everyone documents this issue in this fassion.
Right now you all have a non-issue.
Sorry your point is moot until you take action.
In fact all members that have this problem need to do this. After you have a reciept with the documentation... you can sue them if it causes you to be in an accident. If your dead your relatives can sue.
This is not any different than Toyota's floor mat issue.
They need to take the serial number, lot number and do a trace to find out what is wrong with some of these transmissions.
Alos, once it is documented. Send a copy th the National Transportation Board.
Why?
Because it is a pain in the **** when you have this problem. Plus it's a safety issue. You could kill someone like a motorcyclist or someone else in a car since it goes into neutral.
Don't be a pacifist. Rise up and Rebel. Mazda will not listen until everyone documents this issue in this fassion.
Right now you all have a non-issue.
Sorry your point is moot until you take action.
Software Engineer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 1
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Registered
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
Update on my repair
This may be turning into my first, and LAST Mazda...
Waited 3 weeks to take it into the dealership to fix the problem (as asked, due to vacations and the holiday), dropped it off Monday 01/04. Was told I would be receiving a phonecall by the afternoon with the repair "approval" from Mazda, and at that time they would be issuing me a rental.
Called in the afternoon on 01/05 (had not received a call); they said there was no word from Mazda on the "approval". I expressed my concern that I had a 2 1/2 month old car and was currently STRANDED and could not go to work, due to the lack of a rental. I was told there would be an update shortly.
Today 01/06 @4:30pm and no call from the dealer. I found a national Mazda hotline and spoke with a very nice representative, who saw that parts were ordered and that an engineer had placed notes on my file. I asked if there was any way that I could receive a rental or some kind of reimbursement from this ordeal, as I felt at this point I was getting the run around. She told me that she would make a few phone calls and get back with me within the hour. I wrote down her name, extension, and case #.
That was 3 hours ago. I tried to call her again but it rang to voicemail - I hope she calls me soon.
This is ridiculous.
Waited 3 weeks to take it into the dealership to fix the problem (as asked, due to vacations and the holiday), dropped it off Monday 01/04. Was told I would be receiving a phonecall by the afternoon with the repair "approval" from Mazda, and at that time they would be issuing me a rental.
Called in the afternoon on 01/05 (had not received a call); they said there was no word from Mazda on the "approval". I expressed my concern that I had a 2 1/2 month old car and was currently STRANDED and could not go to work, due to the lack of a rental. I was told there would be an update shortly.
Today 01/06 @4:30pm and no call from the dealer. I found a national Mazda hotline and spoke with a very nice representative, who saw that parts were ordered and that an engineer had placed notes on my file. I asked if there was any way that I could receive a rental or some kind of reimbursement from this ordeal, as I felt at this point I was getting the run around. She told me that she would make a few phone calls and get back with me within the hour. I wrote down her name, extension, and case #.
That was 3 hours ago. I tried to call her again but it rang to voicemail - I hope she calls me soon.
This is ridiculous.
2005 Black RX-8 GT 6M
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,350
Likes: 0
From: San Jose Area
That crossed my mind. But you'd have to get passenger to video to make it safer and hopefully it is consistent enough that you can film it. Bad luck would be driving around for an hour with a video camera and the minute you turn the camera off it happens.
Registered
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
Update 2
Now, after the techs speaking with Mazda engineers, Mazda refuses to replace my transmission. They're pulling the tranny and rebuilding 5th and 6th gear - ETA is 2 weeks.
After calling into Mazda national again today, they FINALLY issued me a rental. I now am in possession of a Cobalt LT from Enterprise. This sucks.
the enemy in the mirror
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
From: billerica, ma
i'll throw out a question for anyone that's seen one of these transmissions up close. are there any [external] adjustments that can be made to the 'fence stops'? I may be using the wrong word there but i remember reading in one of the jason saini transmission threads that the NC tranny had some that were not in the service manual.
ah, my ocd forced me to look it up for you:
anyway it may not apply...
ah, my ocd forced me to look it up for you:
5. '06+ MX-5 (and '09+ RX-8) 6-speed. Single case, or toploader design (much stiffer structure than the mult-part caes on the other designs.) Very large gears, much bigger than the other gearboxes. Dual cone synchros on all but 5th, 6th and Reverse. The weakest link on this gearbox is the 3/4 shift fork. It's weak metal, and breaks quite easily. We have made a billet replacement for racing use, and I hope that the new RX-8 box has an upgraded part. We've passed on everything we learn to Mazda, they are acutely aware of this issue. There is an adjustment for 3/4th shift throw, and this being mal-adjusted is the cause of most complaints from street users - the dealers can't do anything about it, because it's not in the shop manual... we've worked with Mazda, and it should be added. There are also three plastic bushings that break when the trans gets to racing temperatures. Finally, the 3/4 shift hub is prone to cracking under racing use. The gears are very durable, and the teeth on the hubs/gears stay sharp even after two seasons of racing. MOST of this gearbox is bulletproof, and Mazda is aware of the weak links... I'm sure they have integrated some of these fixes into the RX-8 version of the gearbox, knowing the weight/hp increase that it will need to hold. I can only assume that they delayed putting it into the RX-8 until they learned as much as possible about it. I would confidently say this is the best gearbox of the bunch. PPF is mounted on the [i]driver's[i] side of the case.
Last edited by secret8gent; Jan 9, 2010 at 01:48 AM. Reason: http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=237737
40th anniversary Edition
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 142
From: Grapevine, Texas
jerryphotog
remember all, the 09 and 10's have a different transmission than earlier model RX8's. the new tranny is similar to the Miata's with different gear location and gear ratios. Sounds like there is a problem with this tranny. The dealer replacing it wont solve the problem if the tranny design and/or construction is faulty. Expect a recall when enough 09 and 10 owners complain.
By the way the Miata and all RX8 trannies are made by the same Japanese tranny company, and not made by Mazda.
Jerry
By the way the Miata and all RX8 trannies are made by the same Japanese tranny company, and not made by Mazda.
Jerry
Power!!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,412
Likes: 3
From: Sunny See attle
remember all, the 09 and 10's have a different transmission than earlier model RX8's. the new tranny is similar to the Miata's with different gear location and gear ratios. Sounds like there is a problem with this tranny. The dealer replacing it wont solve the problem if the tranny design and/or construction is faulty. Expect a recall when enough 09 and 10 owners complain.
By the way the Miata and all RX8 trannies are made by the same Japanese tranny company, and not made by Mazda.
Jerry
By the way the Miata and all RX8 trannies are made by the same Japanese tranny company, and not made by Mazda.
Jerry
I agree the dealer most likely won't touch them except to swap them since taking apart a trans. is pretty specific and technical work that most dealers don't undertake. Especially on cars under warranty by Mazda.
Hopefully this is just an assembly or adjustment defect and not a design defect.
2005 Black RX-8 GT 6M
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,350
Likes: 0
From: San Jose Area
Right. my message to all those that are being told by the dealer "This is normal" is that it's not normal and does not occur on the older model.
I agree the dealer most likely won't touch them except to swap them since taking apart a trans. is pretty specific and technical work that most dealers don't undertake. Especially on cars under warranty by Mazda.
Hopefully this is just an assembly or adjustment defect and not a design defect.
I agree the dealer most likely won't touch them except to swap them since taking apart a trans. is pretty specific and technical work that most dealers don't undertake. Especially on cars under warranty by Mazda.
Hopefully this is just an assembly or adjustment defect and not a design defect.
2009 RX-8 Sport MT
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 128
Likes: 4
From: Florida
I also have a 2009 (bought in Ausgust '09 with 70 miles on the clock) and have experienced some transmission issues. The problem I sometimes have is notchiness when shifting out of 1st gear (even if just taking it from 1st and moving it into neutral). It's hard to describe, but sometimes when I shift out of first it is butter smooth, and other times I get some resistance - it's almost is like I get it half way out of 1st, experience some resistance, and it "pops out" the rest of the way on its own. I haven't had it pop completely out of gear on its own, and I only exerience this issue with 1st gear every now and then.
Last edited by Lane03; Jan 10, 2010 at 05:05 PM.
Registered
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
Update #4
Called the dealer yesterday and they said that the parts JUST arrived on Friday... I should have the car back on Wednesday or Thursday.
Moral of the story - if you're an '09 owner with transmission problems (and are taking it in for repair), ensure they have obtained the proper APPROVAL from Mazda for the repair AND that parts are on the way (or have already arrived) before you drop it off.
I will no longer be doing business with Hubler Mazda after this ordeal. Shame too, after I bought a 2009 M6 and 2009 RX-8 from them this year...
I'll post back once I the repair has been completed - I'm hoping the tranny loses it's notchy and rough feel after the rebuild.
Moral of the story - if you're an '09 owner with transmission problems (and are taking it in for repair), ensure they have obtained the proper APPROVAL from Mazda for the repair AND that parts are on the way (or have already arrived) before you drop it off.
I will no longer be doing business with Hubler Mazda after this ordeal. Shame too, after I bought a 2009 M6 and 2009 RX-8 from them this year...
I'll post back once I the repair has been completed - I'm hoping the tranny loses it's notchy and rough feel after the rebuild.
Registered
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 220
Likes: 1
From: Charlestown, IN
I bought my RX-8 from Hubler. I thought it went pretty well, but I haven't had to take it in for any service. (Not even an oil change. Still under 1000 miles on mine.)
