[CMS]

Hello all:
After two months I finally picked up my Pearl Wind Chill CX 50 a few days ago.
I had read a couple of posts about the crossbars making a lot of noise.
It starts around 38 mph and at 70 mph and higher it is HOWLING LOUD!
So bad even with the Little Feat playing at a very high volume the howling sound could not be blocked.

I just called Mazda and it sounded as if I was the only person that has called about the crossbar noise. I know others are experiencing the same issue and it would benefit everybody if we called Mazda customer service at 800.222.5500. The more people that share the same story we have a better chance of getting a fix.

Outside of the crossbars, I think the CX 50 is a great crossover SUV vehicle.

 

[LeeShadow]

There's a Mazda Service Bulletin on this concern (attached) and the recommendation is to remove the bars when not in use. All crossbars OEM or aftermarket create some amount of wind noise, although certain designs are less susceptible to doing so, as this points out. The bulletin does note that the CX-50 bars are noisier than the CX-5/9 bars due to design differences made necessary by the need to support extra weight.

I switched from OEM bars on my original CX-5 to Yakima towers and Jetstream bars when I got my newer CX-5. Much less noise but also I'm then not locked into a single vehicle usage--I'm just waiting now for Yakima to give me the Ridgeline clip kit # for the CX-50's factory rails (known, but not on their website yet). I know bars mildly reduce mpg, but I think they usually just make vehicles look better. . I kept the Yakimas on all the time on my 5.

And there are plenty of aftermarket products similar to what Mazda offers for the 50, including roof platforms and tents. In fact, it appears that Yakima and Thule are the actual manufacturers of certain Mazda OEM offerings, anyway. What is unknown is if my Yakimas and other aftermarket products will support the same total weight--the OEM bars are only rated for 165 lbs like my Yakimas, but apparently adding the Mazda platform increases that rating I assume due to more direct support (??). Looks like the platform fits over the OEM bars, but not sure about that yet.

 

[CMS]

There's a Mazda Service Bulletin on this concern (attached) and the recommendation is to remove the bars when not in use. All crossbars OEM or aftermarkets create some amount of wind noise, although certain designs are less susceptible to doing so, as this points out. The bulletin does note that the CX-50 bars are noisier than the CX-5/9 bars due to design differences made necessary by the need to support the extra weight.

I switched from OEM bars on my original CX-5 to Yakima towers and Jetstream bars when I got my newer CX-5. Much less noise but also I'm then not locked into a single-vehicle usage--I'm just waiting now for Yakima to give me the Ridgeline clip kit # for the CX-50's factory rails (known, but not on their website yet). I know bars mildly reduce mpg, but I think they usually just make vehicles look better. . I kept the Yakimas on all the time on my 5.

And there are plenty of aftermarket products similar to what Mazda offers for the 50, including roof platforms and tents. In fact, it appears that Yakima and Thule are the actual manufacturers of certain Mazda OEM offerings, anyway. What is unknown is if my Yakimas and other aftermarket products will support the same total weight--the OEM bars are only rated for 165 lbs like my Yakimas, but apparently adding the Mazda platform increases that rating I assume due to more direct support (??). Looks like the platform fits over the OEM bars, but not sure about that yet.

Lee, big thank you for sharing the bulletin!
I am surprised the Mazda rep didn't have the bulletin.
I have an X5 and leave the crossbars on 24-7 and they create zero noise. They are a BMW product.
I would like to leave on the CX 50 24-7 because I use it for a bike rack a few times a week. Hopefully, Mazda rectifies the noise. If not, I was thinking to go with Thule, and good to know they do work with other Mazda products.
I am surprised Mazda got this so wrong when my first impressions for the CX 50 are super positive.

Thanks, Lee!!!

 

[RE2Master]

I would just like to remove them. I have the panoramic sunroof so won't ever use my roof for transporting anything, they were stock on my model. (Carbon edition) Traded my 2021 cx5 on this and am slightly disappointed in a few things that I lost to only gain a couple inches inside. Still waiting for Mazda to get with every other manufacturer and make the GPS standard and not cost 400-500 for an SD card?

 

[CMS]

I worked on the crossbars yesterday. To no avail, the howling never stopped.
I moved the crossbars forward and backward along with wrapping a bungee cord around the front bar.

In a few weeks, the CX50 is going to have two bikes on the roof for a 10-plus-hour drive. As it stands, the howling sound might be too much for that many hours. I need to find a fix!

My last option: Add the long foam noodles (used in pools) that or probably 3 inches thick to the crossbars in between where the bike racks are installed. It's a temporary fix for the trip before ordering the Yakima crossbars Lee had recommended. Again, Thanks, for the recommendation Lee!!!

Yakima has excellent customer service and their newly made crossbars that fit the Mazda CX50 might be available this month. I am attaching a PDF that shows multiple views/angles of the new Yakima crossbar fitted on the CX 50. Looks like a much nicer crossbar. They are designed, fitted, and ready to go but could be a supply issue or just getting the new crossbars ready for distribution. The customer service rep was surprised they were not on the website for sale.

I will let you know how the noodle works to prevent the howling sounds. Still baffles me Mazda allowed this to happen.

 

[CMS]

Crossbar update:
I added 1-inch circular styrofoam (meant for a pipe) purchased from Home Depot because I could not find one of the Noodles that are used in a swimming pool. I applied the styrofoam to the front of the crossbar and that reduced the noise. Still, a 10-hour road trip might force us to take my other SUV that has crossbars and NO noise. Mazda you got this so wrong! That said, the actual noodle is a larger circumference and might totally deflect the airflow to quiet the noise.

 

[Chavez117]

I have been seeing people add Rhino Vortex strips in place of the rubber strip on the bars that they come with and seeing some success with the noise reduction.

 

[Litfuse]

I would just like to remove them. I have the panoramic sunroof so won't ever use my roof for transporting anything, they were stock on my model. (Carbon edition) Traded my 2021 cx5 on this and am slightly disappointed in a few things that I lost to only gain a couple inches inside. Still waiting for Mazda to get with every other manufacturer and make the GPS standard and not cost 400-500 for an SD card?

I’m curious to what you lost in your cx50 compared to your cx5?

 

[Aschall75]

Group, I found a product that eliminated sound completely and can be easily installed or removed. It’s also safe for car wash (if you secure with zip ties). $16 total (two packs). It’s not the prettiest installation and look, but worked like a charm. If you want to try this for a long term fix - I recommend securing with zip ties.

 

[ndotym13]

When i added my basket to the cross bars the noise is much quieter

 

[CMS]

When i added my basket to the cross bars the noise is much quieter

Thanks! The picture of the CX 50 in black looks great!!

 

[Mickormack]

For real... seeing it in black almost makes me regret the polymetal grey!

 

[Akfrohbo]

Yes to all of this. My CX 50 howls! I tied some elastic rope and it helps reduce the sound-but is awful looking. I saw this on the street the other day and was wondering if this is a nicer, store

bought remedy to reduce the loud noise?

 

[CMS]

Yes to all of this. My CX 50 howls! I tied some elastic rope and it helps reduce the sound-but is awful looking. I saw this on the street the other day and was wondering if this is a nicer, store View attachment 498
bought remedy to reduce the loud noise?

Were you able to purchase those rubber clips? Is so, did it help?

 

[CMS]

Yes to all of this. My CX 50 howls! I tied some elastic rope and it helps reduce the sound-but is awful looking. I saw this on the street the other day and was wondering if this is a nicer, store View attachment 498
bought remedy to reduce the loud noise?

Thanks for any update on noise....I hurriedly type my last question and realized I sounded like a jerk! Sorry.

 

[CMS]

I added the Rhino Vortex strips and as a fellow member indicated it does reduce the howling noise by 90%. I would say that is fair but at times it might be 75% reduction in the howling noise. That said, this is a great option for now until somebody makes a quiet crossbar. As I mentioned in a prior post, my prior SUV had crossbars and made NO noise. So, it's doable. Yakima sells the quiet crossbars but they are not being sold yet to fit the CX50. Until then......

 

[CMS]

Yes to all of this. My CX 50 howls! I tied some elastic rope and it helps reduce the sound-but is awful looking. I saw this on the street the other day and was wondering if this is a nicer, store View attachment 498
bought remedy to reduce the loud noise?

If the rubber clips don't work you can try what a fellow member posted below. A combination of both might silence the howling noise altogether.

FLCX50
Registered
Joined Sep 2, 2022
17 Posts
#10 · Sep 2, 2022

I have the factory cross bars installed as well. However, I replaced the rubber strips with the vortex strips from the rihno racks. The replacement strips are a perfect fit and cut the noise by 80-90%.

You'll need 6 to do both bars and it'll take only minutes to swap out.

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Rhino-Rack/RRM626.html

 

[henkelmc]

Howling cross bar fix.
4' bungee- hook to one end spiral around the cross bar pulling tight. Attach to other side.
Howling 100% gone.
I don't plan to leave the bars on full time so this is a great fix for me.

 

[ndotym13]

I’ve added the factory Thule basket, all road noise from the bars are silent

 

[henkelmc]

I’ve added the factory Thule basket, all road noise from the bars are silent

I'm not planning to use a basket. Just hauling a kayak.