Description
When finding out the average Mazda transmission repair cost, you need to take into account the specific part and model of the vehicle affected – watch out for the transmission slipping!
For a Mazda vehicle, the average transmission replacement cost is between $1,800 and $3,400, with the specific price depending on the model you own and the severity of the problem.
Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is a compact crossover SUV produced by Mazda between the 2012 model years and the present model year, complete with a front-wheel-drive four-wheel-drive layout. Sharing its platform with the popular Mazda3 and Mazda6, the Mazda CX-5 is a top-seller for the company.
Using SkyActiv technology, which is a series of technology mechanisms that increase fuel mileage and energy production, the Mazda CX-5 is an innovative and performance-oriented car. Despite the focus on innovation, this model is known for a high Mazda transmission repair cost.
The worst model years of the Mazda CX-5 in terms of reliability and problem severity include the 2013, 2014, and 2016 years, with the 2016 having the most-reported problem of the daytime running LED leading to car failure. In addition, the 2016 is often reported and rated as the worst choice, due to the lack of reliability and durability.
The top three owner concerns across all model years of production of the CX-5 include the running LED leading to failure in the 2016 CX-5, the windshield easily cracking in the 2005 CX-5, and the windshield breaking and leading to safety concerns in the 2016 CX-5.
Regarding the Mazda CX-5 and the high Mazda transmission repair cost, the expensive price can be attributed to owner concerns in the categories of the lights, windows, windshield, brakes, transmission, interior accessories, electrical system, and the engine itself.
The main transmission concerns in the 2016 Mazda CX-5 focus on the transmission not engaging, the vehicle rolling while in the Park position, the car making a loud vibration noise, the car shaking during use, and the car losing acceleration driving. For owners to fix the transmission without engaging, this sometimes requires a very expensive Mazda transmission repair cost of replacing the entire transmission.
Mazda CX-7
The Mazda CX-7 is a mid-size crossover SUV that has a 5-door body style with either a front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive layout option. First shown at the LA Auto Show back in 2006, this model was in production from early 2006 until mid-2012, with the CX-7 being Mazda’s first foray into the mid-size SUV world.
Unfortunately for CX-7 owners, the high Mazda transmission repair cost deterred this car from continuing through the years. The worst model year of the CX-7 was by far the 2007, which was the first year of production. The top three problems across all model years focus on the engine timing chain breaking in the 2007 CX-7, the turbo going out in the 2007 CX-=7, and the engine failure in the 2008 CX-7.
Regarding the least reliable model year of the 2007 Mazda CX-7, the top problem categories focus on the engine, AC and heater, lights, and transmission. The NHTSA filed numerous safety concerns about this year's car. The main issues with this car feature the variable valve timing and timing chain failing, causing damage to the engine. In addition, AC compressor failure at low mileage, causing smoke and a high Mazda transmission repair cost, has caused numerous NHTSA concerns.
Owners report that the most severe transmission concerns are the car stalling in third gear, transmission failure, and the transmission light while driving. Fixing the transmission failure is a very expensive Mazda transmission repair cost, with the most common solution being to replace the entire mechanism for around $4,500 and at around 137,000 miles.
Mazda CX-9
The Mazda CX-9 is a mid-size crossover SUV that has been manufactured since the 2007 model year until the present, with the CX-9 coming in two different generations. This model won the Motor Trend SUV of the Year in 2008, the best midsize SUV in Car and Driver in 2017 and 2018, and earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick Award in 2017.
Although this car is safe and reliable for many years, the high Mazda transmission repair cost in some model years deters potential car owners from purchasing this model. The most concerning years for the Mazda CX-9 focus on the 2010-2012, with the 2012 having the most-reported problem of the brake power boost unit failing.
In addition, the 2012 CX-9 is often considered the worst choice to buy due to the severity of problems and the early onset of owner issues. The main problem categories are the brakes, transmission, engine, and exterior accessories. The worst transmission concerns are the faulty transmission, the transfer case breaking, and the car vibrating while driving uphill.
The typical repair cost of the faulty transmission is around $390 to replace the transmission or repair the faulty transmission control module at around 36,000 miles. By replacing the TCM early on, you can prevent an expensive Mazda transmission repair cost from occurring later.
Mazda3
The Mada3 is a compact car that was first introduced in 2003 and is produced until the present, with the car replacing the Familia/323/Protege, a small family car thaws produced by Mazda for 40 years between 1963 and 2003. This car is a performance-oriented option in front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive and a 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback.
Produced over four generations, this car is popular worldwide – but still has a reputation for a high Mazda transmission repair cost. The worst model years of the Mazda3 are by far the 2010 and 2014 options, with the 2010 having the most-reported problem of the clutch failing.
The three worst issues across all model years are the clutch failure in the 2010 and 2011 years and the gears grinding in the 2012 Mazda3.
The top categories of concern in the 2010 Mazda3 are the clutch, interior accessories, wheels and hubs, body and paint, engine, and transmission. Owners complain about the grinding of the gears while shifting, the clutch failure, and the car jerking and grinding in the 2010 Mazda3, all leading to an expensive Mazda transmission repair cost.
Fixing the grinding while going into second gear has the most common solution: the owner needs to replace the entire clutch for around $1,000.
Mazda MPV
The Mazda MPV is a minivan that was produced by Mazda between 1988 and 2016, with over one million MPV units produced since the introduction. Produced over three generations, the MPV was available with either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission – unfortunately, some of these transmission types led to an expensive Mazda transmission repair cost.
The worst model years of the Mazda MPV are the 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005, with the 2005 having the most-reported issue of the car stalling while slowing down. The top three transmission concerns across every model year focus on the transmission dying in the 2002 MPV, the car misfiring in the 2003 MPV, and the exhaust manifold cracking in the 2000 MPV.
Regarding the least-reliable model year of the 2000 MPV, the top categories of concern are the engine, electrical system, exterior accessories, and the transmission. Owners report that coolant can leak into the transmission, with the NHTSA also citing issues with the powertrain in the automatic and manual transmission mechanisms.
Mazda6
The Mazda6 is a mid-size car that replaced the 626 in 2002, and has been in production ever since. The car is very popular among consumers around the world, selling faster than any other Mazda model. The worst model years are the 2009, 2010, 2014, and 2016 options, with the most-reported issue being the melting dashboard in the 2009 year.
The top three concerns focus on the transmission making a high pitched noise in the 2014 Mazda6, the engine failure in the 2004 Mazda6, and the transmission failure in the 2008 Mazda6.
Regarding the worst year in the unreliable 2009 Mazda6, the top problem categories are the transmission, body and paint, and the lights. The main transmission issues focus on the transmission failure and the car slipping and clunking into gear. Owners citing the need to pay nearly $3,675 to replace the transmission – showing a very expensive Mazda transmission repair cost.
Mazda Tribute
The Mazda Tribute is a compact SUV made from 2000-2011 over two generations, with the Tribute offering front or all-wheel-drive options. The worst model years in the Mazda Tribute are the 2001, 2005, and 2008 years, with the worst problems across all model years focusing on the transmission failure in the 2001, 2006, and 2008 models.
Regarding the least reliable year of the 2005 Mazda Tribute, the top categories of concern are the body and paint, engine, suspension, transmission, and brakes. Owners state that the transmission worries focus on the car’s transmission prematurely failing, the car hesitating, and the transmission not shifting properly. The most common solution is to replace the transmission for around $3,700 and 128,000 miles, coming out to an expensive Mazda transmission repair cost.
Mazda Recall
In 2019, Mazda was forced to recall numerous MX-5 vehicles due to a widespread transmission problem in the automatic cars. Mazda recalled certain 2016 to 2019 MX-5 Miata sports cars that have an automatic transmission due to an electrical issue that can cause safety and performance concerns.
If the car has an electric concern, it can cause the car to suddenly lose power while driving, resulting in an increased risk of a crash or lack of control. More than 14,000 cars were affected in this 2019 recall, with the electric concern directly relating to a higher Mazda transmission repair cost.
The cars affected focus on the 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Mazda MX-5 cars, with the software issue causing unexpected downshifting, causing the car to slow or stop abruptly. In this case, dealers had to fix the transmission software to prevent a much more concerning Mazda transmission repair cost.
The Bottom Line
Paying for a transmission replacement in your Mazda vehicle typically ranges between $1,800 and $3,400 for the Mazda transmission repair cost, while the specific pricing varies by model and model year.