2021 Mazda CX-5 — clunk when changing from reverse to drive — trying to narrow this down

Intermittent stuff lies if you only catch it once. Swap the cheap/easy piece first on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 and see if the fault moves. That's the branch I'd chase this week. On “5 — clunk when changing from reverse,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. If your situation is the opposite, ignore me. Not driving it hard until I know more.

I wouldn't throw parts yet. Move a coil or plug on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 if it's cylinder-specific and see whether the code follows. That's the branch I'd chase this week. Just my two cents from doing this recently. Your commute and mine probably aren't the same, but the test still applies. I'll update if anything new shows up.

If it were in my driveway, loaded-suspension checks on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 catch play that a wheels-hanging inspection misses. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. I refuse to clear codes until someone else sees them.