Slight jerk when stopping (downshifting to first gear)

I have a 2007 Mazda 3 with auto transmission. When ever I decelerate quicker than usual (hit the brakes harder) and come to a stop, I can feel a slight jerk before stopping right when the car shifts from 3rd gear to 1st gear. Does anyone know why this might be? I can smoothen it out by letting off on the brake slightly when I feel like it is about to jerk. When I stop slowly it's not noticeable.

I'm hoping it might have something to do with the motor mounts and not something more serious like transmission issues. What does everyone think?

I own a 2007 MZ3 as well... Yours might be 4spd auto... It usually has more noticeable jerk on acceleration (1st-2nd) and when coming to a stop (3rd-1st).

I am not sure if it is an issue or if there is a range in which it is really bad, and barely noticeable, but I have had it since day 1. Drove over 50k km, and it hasn't gotten worse.

gen 2004-2009 autos arent the smoothest in the business...

I thought 2007 was 5 speed auto. But anyhow I think the car is made like that. Samething happens to me when I go from 3 -> 4. Heavy gas = jerk, light gas = smooth. I thought it was the transmission fluid, but after I switched it, no change. It was dirty anyways. But good luck!

Maybe something wrong with the Transmission Control Module. Does the A/T ever flashes when the surge happens?

To OP, this is the same "problem" I've posted here.

After driving some more and drove a rental 2011 Mazda3 (5 speed Auto), I think is standard for Mazda3's transmission all exhibit a similar behaviour when the car is coming to a stop, more obvious on a 4 speed than the 5 speed. The car will downshift from 3 to 1 just prior to coming to a complete stop and the jerk is felt due to either the transmission mount or the difference in gear ratios. Just recently, I started to play with the manual-auto transmission when slowing down such that I downshift from 3 to 2 around 25-30km/h range so car only have to shift from 2 to 1 when coming to complete stop. This seems to eliminate this annoying little jerk, but I can't say conclusively.

Thanks for the responses.

Yes, same thing happens with me: when I use the manual-auto shifting and downshift from 3-2 before 2-1, instead of 3-1, I don't feel the jerk. Seems like this is happening in a number of Mazda 3's but it's just really annoying.

No, AT light does not flash when this happens. Is there any way I can check if it's caused by the transmission/motor mounts? But I guess that would mean I would need to see other symptoms?

Honestly, I think this is consider normal. As I've stated in my post above, even the new 2011 Mazda3 rental still has a slight jerk when coming to a full stop with the transmission in Auto mode. On a side note, my bro's 2002 Honda Civic does not have this jerk but you can't see what gear the car is in though...

I've never got around to bringing my car to get the transmission mount checked since it would cost money for such a small problem. My passenger mount was replaced back in 46k. I just practice using manual when stopping the car now.

Let me know if you find a solution.