Hi, new here, first post --
***edit, my car is a 2011 CX-9 GT AWD which I bought certified pre-owned****
Good news, single track.....for now. I had the same issue the other week. They replaced my heat shield. Symptoms had been an odd rattling at low speeds, and a whooshing I could only hear if I was driving past a solid thing, i.e. on a bridge or next to a large guardrail or concrete barrier. But I was also having a gassy, exhaust-ish smell that was really not cool. I went into the dealer with suspicion it was a transfer case about to go......and they sent me home with a new heat shield and a new set of tie rods recommended. And a little bit of feeling patted on the head (I am female, 40s) and assured they looked and tested for leaks and found none. Said the smell was gas, and yet did not try to diagnose that? Ugh. But, they said their road tester could not duplicate the smell.
Toxic smell seemed to go away and return randomly. I was researching fuel line issues and spark plugs and even thought maybe it was just my air filter.
Unfortunately, I ran into some trouble the other day (wednesday night before US thanksgiving) Taking my son 40m from home to a class and we stopped to get coffee only to smell acrid burning (like wires) and see a fair amount of smoke from behind the engine compartment. Had it towed to dealer, dealer was kind and gave me a loaner. This morning I learn the problem is indeed a failing transfer case. My second one. First one replaced under warranty at 92K, and in that instance it basically exploded without much warning. And now this one just bit the dust at 133K, having given some mild warning signals that were misdiagnosed. Still no dash lights indicating failures!
Has anyone had any luck getting any $$$ consideration from Mazda on a *second* failed TC? This is ridiculous. I don't tow anything except a bike rack and I am seriously gentle on this car. Dealer's service manager is reaching out to Mazda also, I want to believe they will go to bat for me but I am not sure they will really fight the machine lol....or if they just want me to believe they tried.
Thanks in advance!