Correcting Mazda3 surge

This bulletin applies to 2019-2020 Mazda3 built in Japan before Jan. 11, 2020, and 2018-2020 CX-5 vehicles built before July 20, 2020, with cylinder deactivation.
Dec. 17, 2024

This bulletin applies to 2019-2020 Mazda3 built in Japan before Jan. 11, 2020, and 2018-2020 CX-5 vehicles built before July 20, 2020, with cylinder deactivation.

Some customers may complain about surging at low speeds and during acceleration. This surging is in the longitudinal direction (fore/aft), felt about two cycles per second and occurs in the locked up first gear. 

This may be caused by the torque fluctuation and the torsional resonance in the torque converter. To correct this concern, the PCM software has been modified to reduce the torque fluctuation. Reprogram the PCM with the latest software.

About the Author

Mike Mavrigian

Motor Age Editor

Mike Mavrigian has written thousands of automotive technical magazine articles involving a variety of  specialties, from engine building to wheel alignment, and has authored more than a dozen books that crisscross the automotive spectrum. Mike operates Birchwood Automotive, an Ohio shop that builds custom engines and performs vintage vehicle restorations. The shop also features a professional photo studio to document projects and to create images for articles and books.

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