2016.5 clicking sound from dashboard
 

Hello everyone. I have a 2016.5 CX-5 Grand Touring.

I've been hearing a clicking sound coming from the driver's side corner of the dashboard (where the windshield meets the dashboard). It's hard to tell exactly where it's coming from, but it happens mostly when going over small bumps, but not all the time. I have the same issue on the passenger side, but not as much. I do notice that when I take a corner, the noise stops, so it appears to be something loose that tightens with stress.

I took it to the dealer for oil change, and had them take a look. Took the tech for drive, he heard it, and did a few things: Something with the cowl, took off the door panel to tighten everything, and also tightened the chassis bolts. The tech said he took it for a drive, and didn't hear anything and concluded it was the chassis bolts. However, as soon as I got it on the road, click click click.

I've been reading people's posts with Mazda 3's with a similar issue with the cowl, but not the CX-5.

So I'm going to take it back again, but I'm wondering if anyone else has had/is having this issue?

Thanks!

Sounds like the old cowl bolt problem that afflicted some early production CX-5s. See post #5 for a link in the following thread: https://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...=1#post6014315
However, this problem was supposed to be fixed years ago!

Thanks Paris1. The tech looked at the cowl first. I'm not sure what was done to it. Thanks for the link to the thread. I'll post when and if there's a resolution.

Just an update. Car has been at the dealer now for over 2 days. They have yet to figure out the clicking noise, and now been in touch with Mazda for help. Stay tuned.

Please let us know what you found out. We just picked up our new CX-5 2016.5 yesterday and I noticed a similar issue. Rattling coming from the drivers side dash above the instrument panel. I am taking will taking it in in a few weeks and would love to provide them the information on this thread to short circuit the process if I can.

Will do ChilliB. The noise I have is more of a snapping or clicking sound. More from the driver's side, but some from the passenger side as well. Both are coming from the corners of each side of the dash.

Today is Saturday, and they've had my CX-5 since Monday. I don't think they've been working on it constantly though. I do have a loaner car (which has advertising on each front door.... so I'm not sure if the real purpose of keeping my car was so that I'd drive around advertising the dealership).

If you do a Youtube search, you'll find videosof those with Mazda 3's with the same sound. For them, it turned out to be the cowl.

Here's one of those videos. My clicking sound is the same

The latest update. Still don't have my CX-5. Been a week now.

Was told that Mazda engineering had the service department tighten things (can't recall what), then have 1 person in the car, drive it, have two people in the car, drive it. Guess they were looking to see if weight would change things. No help.

So they are now going with replacing an engine mount (because Mazda engineering said there have been some issues with them.... scary) and also replace a control arm. Will take a couple of days for the parts to come in and get them replaced.

Not feeling very optimistic.:(

I did find that when taking right corners, the car's weight shifts and the noise stops. But comes right back when driving straight. So there is something to the shift in weight, or stress on the chassis/body.

Stay tuned....

Another update. Still don't have my CX-5 and it's been 2 weeks and 3 days. I do, at least, have a loaner car (with the dealer's information on both doors).

The replacement of the control arm or the replacement of the engine mount did not fix the problem (no surprise here).

As of May 3, they "may be contacting" the regional engineer for assistance. I have to assume this mean the engineer will be making a trip to the dealer to look at the car. I told them to please push for that. "May be contacting" is not an option at this point; it's a must. The engineer needs to make an appearance.

The latest claim is that the clicking/snapping noise does not occur when on the lift, but of course still happens when on the road. I'm not sure how they are able to determine that while the car is on the lift.... unless they are able to simulate being on the road.

I am considering calling Mazda today for their advocacy, although I'll probably start with a call to the service manager. I've been very patient, but running out.

Any advice from the forum would be most appreciated.

Update: They said they have put "Chassis Ears" on the car and determined the noise is definitely coming from the dashboard area. No kidding...

Yesterday and today, the guy working on it is off from work, so it's sitting for two days with no work being done. They've been in contact with the Mazda regional engineer for suggestions.

Calling Mazda Customer Care for assistance. It'll be four weeks on May 15th without my car (and a loaner with dealer advertising on the doors and rear bumper... which seems really low class)

How long does this go on before they give up? And if so, what happens then?

Update- 4 weeks and 1 day without my CX-5:

I called Mazda Customer Care. They called the dealer where my car was and got the same explanation that I already had. They told me that maybe bringing it to another dealer would be best. I told them to give the current dealer another few days (apparently, I'm a very patient person :-))

A day passed and I got an email from Mazda Customer Care that they want my permission to take it to another dealer because they felt that I'd get better attention at another dealer. I agreed, they got my car to the dealer on a flatbed, and I talked with the service manager who apparently is a master tech with 27 years experience, is now the service manager, and has a number of very experienced techs on his staff. They deal with these strange issues.

So that's the latest. I want my CX-5 back. :( But I want it fixed! Stay tuned.

Update: 5 weeks and 3 days without my CX-5

My CX-5 has been at the new dealer now for 1 week and 3 days. They've been excellent about communicating what's going on. This morning, I received a text that they're having a Mazda Engineer come to the dealership because they believe this is the first instance of this problem with a CX-5 (lucky me).

They need to document the problem. But, it's still not fixed and they still don't know what is causing the clicking sound.

I will be receiving another update later today on the result of the engineer's visit. I don't know where this is heading at this point.

Got my CX-5 back!

After almost 6 weeks, and two dealers, Mazda found what was causing the clicking sound. It required having a Mazda engineer visit the dealer, and also working with other Mazda engineers. Seems the answer came from an engineer in Texas.

At the base of the windshield, there's a strip of metal, and apparently dirt had gotten in between that piece of metal and the metal it was attached to. How dirt got there is the big question. Pry it away from where it's attached, blow out the dirt, and the problem resolved. I believe they may have put some foam in there to prevent it from happening again. The sound from that area, which was located at about the middle of the windshield base, was traveling to the drivers side column/corner of the dashboard. That's what made it so hard to find.

I've been told a TSB is to be released based on this problem and the solution. Apparently, I'm the first to have this issue, and hopefully it'll save others.

Right now, driving for the next two or three weeks will be a test to make sure the noise is truly gone. Only time will tell, but no clicking sound at all now. Fingers crossed.

Kudos to Ray at Mazda of Milford (CT) for his relentless pursuit in resolving this issue.

Sorry to necro this post but I've been having a similar issue on my CX-5 and the two dealers I've been to have been unable to localize the problem. Considering I've had a windshield replacement this summer, the fact that you mentioned the problem was at the base of the windshield does make me curious. I haven't found a TSB for the problem yet.

Here's what mine does:

I really sorry it took so long, but I'm impressed at how seriously they took the issue and the effort they made in getting it resolved. Let's hope it's a permanent fix!

Birgrim, have your dealer call the dealer that fixed my issues. They did tell me a TSB would be released, whether it ever was or not, I don't know.

Call Mazda of Milford, Connecticut, USA. Speak to Ray. He's the service manager that would not quit on the problem until he found it. My clicking sound was traveling to the column between the driver's side window and windshield. Good luck!

I've had another clicking sound fixed that may help you. It was the clamp that holds the passenger side sun visor in place. Had that replaced and that clicking went away. If you pull on it, you'll hear noise coming from it... worth checking.

I now have a new clicking sound now that winter has set in (cold whether), and appears to becoming from the passenger side door.

I love this car, but hate clicking sounds when I'm driving it. A real quality control issue IMO. Makes the interior seem cheaply done.

EXACTLY the same problem on my CX-5 2016 since july 2017
 

Hi Metsfan !
I have the exact same problem on my cx-5 2016 and my dealer can't resolve it after 4 visits. They just put foam for plastic molding and put tierap on wires... I'm thinking about write to Mazda Canada to make a complaint... that clicking/ticking sound makes me crazy since about 1 year....!!!! I'm from Quebec (french) Canada.

You were talking about a TSB, do you know if it is now available? If yes, which number ? My dealer didn't see anything, I don't know if they can see other countries TSB... ?

Or better, do you have photos of the right place for that piece of metal we need to pry and clean so I can show it to the dealer ???

thank you so much !!!!

JFV

They talked about a TSB, but I don't know if it ever came about. Call Mazda of Milford in Connecticut USA and speak to Ray (the service manager). He was the one that worked on my CX5 the whole time and resolved the problem. I'm sure he'll remember it.

Hy JFV,

Have you managed to fix it? Any chance to get some photos. I am in europe so won't be able to get in touch with one of your dealers.

Thanks