2012 Mazda CX-9 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Mazda CX-9, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes14355.9%
- Engine2610.2%
- Airbags239.0%
- Powertrain (other)187.0%
- Driver assistance135.1%
- Suspension93.5%
- Steering72.7%
- Electrical52.0%
- Fuel system41.6%
- Exterior lighting31.2%
- Seat belts20.8%
- Visibility20.8%
- Body & structure10.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was driving normally when I started sowing down and noticed the brakes were harder to push. I finally stopped just before almost rear-ending a vehicle in front of me. It turns out the brake booster, a known problem that was not communicated to me a few years ago, failed and makes braking the vehicle harder, increases distance, and makes the vehicle unsafe to drive. The problem has been reproduced via a diagnostic test at Mazda of Gladstone dealership on 9/27/23. The dealership has been the only people who have inspected the issue. There were no warning signs, no warning lights, nothing. It was scary because I didn't think my vehicle was going to stop. It's completely dangerous. I have not gotten the vehicle repaired yet because I believe Mazda holds responsibility as this has been a known issue with their cars.
On August 14, 2020, the brake booster along with the master cylinder failed, resulting in very dangerous and frightening driving conditions, and the parts were replaced with Mazda original parts. This was an ongoing issue with the Mazda CX-9’s. I reported it to the NHTSA, complaint number 11480067. On January 4, 2023, the brake master cylinder and booster failed again resulting again in very dangerous and frightening driving conditions. The car was driven only 25,383 miles before the brakes failed the second time. The Mazda parts were defective and continue to be so after many years with no effort by Mazda to improve these parts. Attached are the repair invoices for both incidents. I have tried contacting Mazda and they refuse to address the issue.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
After hearing low rumbling sound and smelling burnt oil, car was taken to dealer for check up. They informed me of known issue, front PTU leaking oil due to design flaw that put the PTU so close to the exhaust. I am seeing that other owners of this model are also reporting fires due this same exact problem, apparently unbeknownst to me Mazda has provided extended warranty up to 90k miles but not actually informed the owners of this as a potential catastrophic problem. my personal review has informed me that fire seem to be most common between 110,000 and 130,000 mile ranges.
CAR IDELS UP AT STOP SIGNS
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
My driver and passenger side curtain airbags randomly deployed without a collision. Thankfully I was at a stop sign when this happened. If it happened while I was driving, I’m sure I would have wrecked and could possibly be dead. It was loud! I thought I’d been shot or that I’d driven over a bomb. We did take the car to someone that’s certified in airbags and it was stated that this was due to a manufacturer’s defect. I also have lots of pictures. There was no warning when the airbags deployed. Mazda is refusing any responsibility due to the car being outside of the warranty.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS HAD ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITH OUT ANY IMPACT OCCURRING TO THE VEHICLE. DURING THE INCIDENT BOTH THE FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS HAD ALSO ACTIVATED AND DEPLOYED TO SECURE THE OCCUPANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER JOE MAUS MAZDA LOCATED AT 6735 E INDEPENDENCE BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC WHO REPLACED THE AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELTS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER BOTH SUSTAINED MINOR NECK AND BACK INJURIES DURING THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,417.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The water pump suddenly started leaking and the mechanics I talk to said this is a very common problem with this vehicle and type of engine. Sounds like owners are left to foot the bill for this costly and difficult repair of a defective product. Hopefully more owners come forward and report their experience in this regard
After hearing low rumbling sound and smelling burnt oil, car was taken to dealer for check up. They informed me of known issue, front PTU leaking oil due to design flaw that put the PTU so close to the exhaust. I am seeing that other owners of this model are also reporting fires due this same exact problem, apparently unbeknownst to me Mazda has provided extended warranty up to 90k miles but not actually informed the owners of this as a potential catastrophic problem. my personal review has informed me that fire seem to be most common between 110,000 and 130,000 mile ranges.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
While drive i feel like there is sticking something below the car when i am accelerating. And the acceleration became hard. Also i heard a weird noise at that time. Then a saw a leakage below my car.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND DROVE FORWARD CRASHING INTO A WOODEN SEATING BENCH WHICH WAS PUSHED INTO A BUILDING. DURING THE INCIDENT THE DRIVERS FOOT WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2012 Mazda CX9. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been involved in a crash due to a fractured passenger's side lower control arm. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle had been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V451000 (Suspension). The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. An independent mechanic replaced the passenger's side lower control arm; however, the contact stated that after the repair was performed, the engine rattled and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was then taken back to the independent mechanic, who determined that the driver's side lower control arm spacers were missing and that the front and rear axles, brakes, and rear shocks needed to be replaced. Additionally, the cage bolts needed to be retightened. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF WITH AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO DIAGNOSED THAT WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Ball joints replaced due to tear in both rubber covers and driver side ball joint very loose. Was previously repaired in July 2015 under recall Number: 15V451000.
After hearing low rumbling sound and smelling burnt oil, car was taken to dealer for check up. They informed me of known issue, front PTU leaking oil due to design flaw that put the PTU so close to the exhaust. I am seeing that other owners of this model are also reporting fires due this same exact problem, apparently unbeknownst to me Mazda has provided extended warranty up to 90k miles but not actually informed the owners of this as a potential catastrophic problem. my personal review has informed me that fire seem to be most common between 110,000 and 130,000 mile ranges.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE OWN A 2011 MAZDA CX7 AND A 2012 MAZDA CX9, THE MOTORS IN THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS OF BOTH CARS WHEN OUT WITHIN A 6 MONTH PERIOD OF TIME. THE WARRANT ON THE CARS WERE OUT AT 36K MILES AND IN 2014. THE MOTORS BOTH STOPPED WORKING PAST THIS PERIOD TIME BUT HAVE READ THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THESE SAME VEHICLES. THE WINDOWS GO DOWN BUT START MAKING A LOUD CLICKING SOUND AND WILL NOT GO BACK UP WITH OUT HOLDING YOU HAND ON IT, CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH SMALL CHILDREN.
THE MAZDA CX9 THAT WE PURCHASED HAS A ACCELERATION PROBLEM WHEN WE GO TO STOP.. MAZDA HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY.. WE HAVE HAD 2 BRAKE BOOSTERS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. WE FEEL THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND MAZDA HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM. THEY TELL US NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT KNOW ALSO HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH SQUEAKING AND GRINDING NOISES COMING FROM THE CAR. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (CEL) COMES ON WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF EVAPORATING SYSTEM / LOOSE GAS CAP. MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTICS FEES, A GAS TANK PRESSURE TEST AND 3 GAS CAPS LATER AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. I NOTICED A FEW ONLINE FORUMS WITH SEVERAL OTHERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE ACROSS A WIDE RAGE OF YEARS AND MAZDA MODELS. THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH MAZADA EVAPORATING, FUEL AND EMISSIONS SYSTEMS. THE DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. BEYOND REPLACING THE GAS CAP AND COLLECTING A DIAGNOSTIC FEE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD METAL TO METAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE GEARS FAILED TO SHIFT CORRECTLY AND THE OIL AND ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WORSENED. THE CONTACT ALSO SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE ACCELERATING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE TURNPIKE AT 70 MPH AT NIGHT MY ENTIRE DASH BOARD, INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER, WARNING LIGHTS AND TEMPERATURE CONTROLS AND HEAD LIGHTS AND BACK LIGHTS WENT BLANK AND DARK. PULLED OFF ROAD AND SHUT ENGINE OFF. WAS GOING TO CALL ROAD SERVICE, BUT TURNED ENGINE ON AND EVERYTHING CAME ON. DROVE ANOTHER 15 MINUTES AND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD AND HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT. PULLED OFF ROAD AND SHUT OFF ENGINE AND TURNED IT ON AGAIN AND ALL WAS WORKING AGAIN. GOT HOME SAFELY WITHOUT MORE PROBLEMS. SAME PROBLEMS WITH DASHBOARD DURING DAYLIGHT THEREAFTER. TOOK CAR TO DEALER ASAP WHERE ALL MY SERVICE HAS BEEN DONE SINCE CAR BOUGHT NEW. DEALER HAD CAR 4 DAYS AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM UNTIL THE THIRD DAY WHEN ONE OF THE MASTER TECHNICIANS DROVE THE CAR 30 MILES TO HIS HOME. THIS TIME I WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WENT BLACK AT NIGHT. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THEY THINK THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BY SOME COMPUTER ADJUSTMENT TO A SENSOR. REALLY GOT NO DETAILS OF WHAT WAS WRONG AND WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS STARTED A FEW DAYS AFTER DEALER HAD CAR FOR THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS SAFETY RECALL 851G AND OTHER ROUTINE SERVICE SUCH AS OIL CHANGE, WHEEL ALIGNMENT, MULTI POINT INSPECTION AND BATTERY REPLACEMENT TO NEW BATTERY. ALSO TIRE ROTATION. OVERALL A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD PROVIDE MORE THAN 15 FEET OF ILLUMINATION UNLESS THE HIGHBEAMS WERE TURNED ON. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,100.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2012 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the front passenger’s side seat belt was tightening intermittently causing discomfort for the front seat passenger. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle had not yet been taken to an independent mechanic or a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS HAD ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITH OUT ANY IMPACT OCCURRING TO THE VEHICLE. DURING THE INCIDENT BOTH THE FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS HAD ALSO ACTIVATED AND DEPLOYED TO SECURE THE OCCUPANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER JOE MAUS MAZDA LOCATED AT 6735 E INDEPENDENCE BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC WHO REPLACED THE AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELTS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER BOTH SUSTAINED MINOR NECK AND BACK INJURIES DURING THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,417.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED SHOWERING DRIVER WITH GLASS SOME UNEXPECTEDLY SHARP. COULD HAVE EASILY LOST CONTROL OF CAR AND CRASHED. RECEIVED CUT NO MEDICAL TREATMENT.
THE SUNROOF ON MY 2012 MAZDA CX-9 SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED AS IT WAS JUST SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. NO ONE WAS NEAR THE CAR OR DRIVING IT. THERE WAS A LOUD "BOOM"'AND THE SUNROOF LOOKS LIKE IT EXPLODED OUTWARDS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE PEDAL GOT HARD VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP NO WARNING LIGHTS ALMOST REAR ENDE VEHICLE BRAKE FAILURE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .