Problem Reports

Mazda 5

Report: Rattling From Front Suspension Due to Worn Sway Bar Bushings

Mazda 5 Problem

34 Reports

Me Too

Model Years Affected: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

Average Mileage: 54,294 mi (12,000 mi - 106,000 mi)

Rattling noises from the front suspension while driving over rough roads can be caused by defective front sway bar bushings. Replacing the bushings with the updated design is a common repair.

Add to My Checklist

Find a Shop

Follow this Problem Report Unfollow this Problem Report

Visitor, 2007 Mazda 5, 35,000 mi

Not fixed: rattle or clunking at the front with slightest road roughness, especially during first 20 minutes of driving. Goes away . Some days no problem.Has been happening for months.

Flag This

Like | 8 people like this8
Visitor, 2007 Mazda 5, 50,000 mi

Just bought the Mazda 5 at 40000, a few months later at 50000, already replaced a rear shock that was making excessive noise when going over the slightest bumps. now a similar noise is coming from front. Mechanic says it was stabilizer links, and replaced them (300 dollars), and there is STILL NOISE. Mechanic now thinks it is stabilizer bushings. ahhh

Flag This

Like | 4 people like this4
ggarbo, 2010 Mazda 5, 30,000 mi

Rookie
Problem is ONLY on rough roads. I have a house in the NC mountains ( zip 27879) and I have to drive about 1 and 1/2 miles on a gravel but well maintained road, then up a gravel drivewy. I notice the noise mostly coming down my driveway slowly.... The clunking noises from the front end sound like the wheels are coming off. When I get to the paved road the noise stops completely.

Flag This

Like | 2 people like this2
Visitor, 2006 Mazda 5, 101,000 mi

Our mechanic tells us that it is just a noise...the part will last for years and never fail but it will always rattle and a replacement part might rattle just as bad. We will turn up the radio.

Flag This

Like | 1 person likes this1
Visitor, 2006 Mazda 5, 88,752 mi

Bobbling noise felt thru floorboard of my mazda 5. Discovered it was a worn sway bar bushing, had them both replaced cost of repair $170 including parts.

Flag This

Like | 1 person likes this1
iyersab, 2009 Mazda 5, 38,000 mi

Rookie
Rattling noise. Dealer Service replaced rear sway bar/ bushings. Still no improvement. Maybe now try the front!!
Really irritating and makes me uncomfortable

Flag This

Like | 1 person likes this1
Visitor, 2006 Mazda 5, 36,000 mi

clunking noise from the front on bumps or uneven road. Sway bar bushing was replaced by Mazda with a new redesigned ones. Problem reappeared again at around 75000 miles

Flag This

Like0
Visitor, 2009 Mazda 5, 42,300 mi

I took the car to the dealer and was told that I needed both front and rear links. I asked if they would be replaced with the same original equipment parts which did not last 40,000 miles. The response was 'yes'. At this point, I have not committed to dealer repair/replacement.

Flag This

Like0
topkote, 2009 Mazda 5, 54,500 mi

Rookie
replacing sway bar and bushing today 12.10.12

Flag This

Like0
Visitor, 2010 Mazda 5, 28,000 mi

Knocking noise from the driver's side front suspension. More noticeable in cold weather.

Flag This

Like0
Visitor, 2007 Mazda 5, 35,300 mi

I've taken super care of this car and it has been stored in the garage...car has been making noises. Got a call back from the Mazda dealer that the sway bar bushings need to be replaced. This is a one owner vehicle so based on the many complains here it seems seems Mazda approved some low quality parts to build the suspension on this vehicle.

Flag This

Like0
Visitor, 2006 Mazda 5, 104,000 mi

THIS IS THE SECOND SET---REPLACED FIRST AT 65000 MILES. THIS IS THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM (ALONG WITH EATING REAR TIRES DUE TO NO CAMBER ADJUSTER)

Flag This

Like0
Visitor, 2006 Mazda 5, 12,000 mi

Now at 46K miles. I've had this problem for years and when I took it to Mazda they said it was 'normal' for this model and wouldn't fix it because it wasn't 'broken'. Finally heard there was a defect and am now trying to get the correct parts to fix it myself since it's way out of warrenty and Mazda said they have no record of me bringing it in for this problem. I won't buy a mazda again.

Flag This

Like0
Visitor, 2007 Mazda 5, 54,000 mi

Clunking at low speed on bumps. Will attempt to repair sway bar links. Getting worse. Irritating!

Flag This

Like0
Visitor, 2007 Mazda 5, 40,000 mi

Began hearing slight rattling sound from front of car when going over slightly uneven (not dirt or gravel roads) pavement at moderate speeds or hitting a speed bump one wheel at a time at low speed. Seemed worse when car was cold. No free play in steering wheel or sloppy steering. Seems to be getting worse, but it is fall so more cold mornings.

Dealer wanted to charge over $100 just to analyze which I refused. After they had the car on a jack for other maintenance, the service writer said he found some free play in the sway bar end links, said it would cost about $400 to repair. I said no thanks, will take it to another nearby dealer.

Flag This

Like0
fattireflyer, 2009 Mazda 5, 45,000 mi

Rookie
Had noticed a knocking or rumbling noise from the suspension that had developed over time. More noticeable from the front, and more so when colder, and going at lower speeds, especially on any camber around a sharp turn, or highways with an uneven surface.
Read a lot of the reports on the internet here and elsewhere about Mazda 5 suspension problems. Did't expect it on a car that I had owned from new, less than 3 years old, but it gets driven a lot. Actually mostly on interstate roads for commutng and longer road trips. Took it into Mazda dealer where I had purchased the car. Over 36,000 mile warranty so didn't appear to be covered. Problem diagnosed as front suspension stablizer bushings. Replaced and problem gone away. I'm a little under $300 worse off as a result... ouch... but has been the only problem I've had to pay for on the car since owning. Power steering recall in 2010 was fixed at no cost by Mazda. Good value, very reliable and economical car for the money otherwise. You get what you pay for I guess. I don't know if the replacement bushings are a different spec if Mazda 5 has changed this now. It feels like new again with the front suspension feeling less harsh... we will see if i"m back at the dealer's again with the same problem in another 45,000 miles..... watch this space.

Flag This

Like0
Visitor, 2006 Mazda 5, 85,000 mi

noise rattle on the front and back underside, especially when I go over bumps. I was told the sway bar bushings need to be replaced. Going to mechanic today to get pricing...I just pray it's not too expensive, we'll see....

Flag This

Like0
Visitor, 2006 Mazda 5, 106,000 mi

Mine started at about 80,000 miles

Flag This

Like0
Techgoose, 2008 Mazda 5, 48,000 mi

Rookie
I have the rattling sound when it's cold, it comes from the front end on the left; the slightest bump and it rattles and bangs very loudly. I took it to the Mazda dealer today because it was beginning to scare me. They are replacing the front end sway bar bushings, and when I asked why this is happening, they said it is normal wear and tear. The car is less than 3 years old, it seems not so normal to me. Will cost me about $200 I think.

Followup: The repair cost less than $200 including parts labor, and completely fixed thenoise problem. Moreover, the car handles noticeably better. WELL worth it.

Flag This

Like0
Visitor, 2006 Mazda 5, 65,000 mi

Rattling in front suspension. I was told it was the struts. I replaced the struts. Still rattling. Same description of problem as already posted in this thread.

Flag This

Like0

+ See more reports

Find the best Mazda repair shops

Problem Reports

Mazda 5

Report: Rattling From Front Suspension Due to Worn Sway Bar Bushings

Mazda 5 Problem