IllustrationIN MOTION, AFTER ACCELERATING, I LET UP OFF THE GAS AFTER REACHING 60MPH ON THE FREEWAY AND THERE IS A CLUNKING SOUND ACCOMPANIED WITH A JERK COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER SLOWING, WHEN I LIGHTLY STEP ON THE GAS TO MAINTAIN A SPEED IT HAS THE CLUNKING SOUND ACCOMPANIED BY A JERK AS WELL.
2008 Mazda CX-9
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most CX-9 years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Mazda CX-9 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 61.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all CX-9 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
190–25K
925–50K
1450–75K
2175–100K
50100–150K
14150K+
127 reports with mileage · 45 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Suspension. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports
Power Train complaints
27 reportsI WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA CX-9 AND THE CAR WAS SMELLING LIKE IT WAS BURNING AND THEN IT SOUNDED LIKE A PILE OF ROCKS BEING TOSSED AROUND. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP AND SMOKE CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSFER CASE WENT OUT AND …
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA CX-9 AND THE CAR WAS SMELLING LIKE IT WAS BURNING AND THEN IT SOUNDED LIKE A PILE OF ROCKS BEING TOSSED AROUND. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP AND SMOKE CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSFER CASE WENT OUT AND MESSED UP THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT MAZDA HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR SOME TIME AND HAS FAILED TO NOTIFY THE CUSTOMER. THIS PROBLEM HAS APPARENTLY CAUSED VEHICLES TO CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING. AFTER CONTACTING MAZDA THEY SAY THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 90,000 MILES BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HASN'T NOTIFIED THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE. MAZDA SAYS IT HASN'T BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE IT ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE (WHICH I DISAGREE WITH, IT COULD CAUSE GREAT HARM OR DEATH) AND IT HASN'T BEEN REPORTED ENOUGH. MAZDA SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE NOR THE LABOR OR TRANSMISSION. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED SINCE APPARENTLY IT'S HAPPENING IN ALL CX-9 VEHICLES BETWEEN CERTAIN YEARS. IT'S A DEFECTIVE PART, NOTHING I DID AND I AM LEFT TO PAY TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT MAZDA KNOWS IS THEIR FAULT.
THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT (PTU), AKA TRANSFER CASE ON MY 2008 CX-9 BROKE, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED A PERFECTLY GOOD TRANSMISSION. THE PTU IS POORLY DESIGNED AND IMPROPERLY FITTED TO THE CX-9 AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF CASES OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN ANY MAZDA USER FORUM. MY MAZDA IS ONLY USED FOR COMMUTIN…
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THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT (PTU), AKA TRANSFER CASE ON MY 2008 CX-9 BROKE, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED A PERFECTLY GOOD TRANSMISSION. THE PTU IS POORLY DESIGNED AND IMPROPERLY FITTED TO THE CX-9 AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF CASES OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN ANY MAZDA USER FORUM. MY MAZDA IS ONLY USED FOR COMMUTING AND COMMON STREET USE. I NOTICED A TOXIC SMELL OF BURNING TRANSFER CASE OIL ON THE EXHAUST, WHICH FILLED THE CABIN. THE REAR WHEELS WOULD NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR. MAZDA HAS NOT RECALLED THIS PART, AND EVEN WORSE THEY HAVE USED IT IN ALL AWD CX-9 MODELS FROM 2007-2009. IT IS SIMPLY NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE WEIGHT AND POWER OF THIS VEHICLE, AND IS "SEALED" FROM THE FACTORY WITH "LIFETIME OIL" THAT BREAKS DOWN OVER TIME. MAZDA USA HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY OF THIS PART, NOTED IN THE SSP92 WARRANTY EXTENSION. BUT MY CAR, WHICH I'VE OWNED AND SERVICED REGULARLY AT MAZDA DEALERS, HAS 120,000 MILES AND MAZDA REFUSED TO OFFER ANY PARTIAL ASSISTANCE TO REPLACE MINE, OR REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED. THIS IS A PROBLEM WORTHY OF A RECALL OR CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT. IT CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE THE REAR WHEELS NO LONGER RECEIVE DRIVE, OIL FROM THE FAILED PTU LEAKS DIRECTLY ON EXHAUST CAUSING NOXIOUS FUMES IN THE CABIN, AND AT WORST CAN LOCK-UP REAR WHEELS IF THE SYSTEM WERE TO SEIZE. MY REPAIR FROM A MAZDA DEALER TOTALED MORE THAN $3,600 WHICH IS MORE THAN 1/3 THE VALUE OF THE CAR.
2008 CX-9 WITH 110,000 MILES TRANSFER CASE FAILURE WITH PROBABLE DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION. PROGNOSIS WAS MADE DURING REPAIR OF LEAKING REAR AXEL SEALS WHEN MECHANIC NOTICED "CHUNKS OF METAL" IN THE THE TRANSFER CASE.
VEHICLE IS AWD. IN MAY 2016, TCS & ABS DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AS WELL AS THE DEPICTION OF A VEHICLE SKIDDING. BROUGHT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO SAID HE WAS GETTING FAULT CODES BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE. SUGGESTED WE GO TO THE DEALER. WENT TO LOCAL MAZDA DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH THE TRANSFER CASE AND TRANSMISSION GEARS WERE S…
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VEHICLE IS AWD. IN MAY 2016, TCS & ABS DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AS WELL AS THE DEPICTION OF A VEHICLE SKIDDING. BROUGHT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO SAID HE WAS GETTING FAULT CODES BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE. SUGGESTED WE GO TO THE DEALER. WENT TO LOCAL MAZDA DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH THE TRANSFER CASE AND TRANSMISSION GEARS WERE STRIPPED, THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOW OPERATING IN 2 WHEEL DRIVE AND THAT THE ABS WAS NOT FUNCTIONING BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES. DEALER QUOTED $8,136 TO FIX. WE ASSUMED THERE MUST BE SOME RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BUT COULD NOT FIND ONE. WE THEN BROUGHT TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION EXPERT WHO OPENED IT UP AND DESCRIBED SAME PROBLEM. STRIPPED GEARS ON BOTH TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE. HE CALLED DEALERSHIP PARTS DEPT. AND SAID THEY HAD SEVERAL OF THE MAJOR PARTS HE NEEDED TO REPAIR. HE THOUGHT WAS A SIGN THAT DEALER WAS SEEING MANY OF THESE SAME PROBLEMS AS THESE WERE NOT PARTS A DEALER WOULD TYPICALLY STOCK. I DISCOVERED MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON LINE. SOME NOTED MAZDA RECALLED 2010 AND NEWER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO SAID IT MAY BE A ONBOARD COMPUTER ISSUE THAT CAUSED THE RAPID WEAR OF THE TRANSFER CASE AND TRANSMISSION. VERY CONCERNED THAT MAZDA IS PUTTING THIS ON THE CONSUMER WHEN IT SEEMS VERY LIKELY TO BE SOME DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING RUBBER AND HEARD A CLICKING SOUND WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA CX-9 WITH 139,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSFER CASE HAS DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPROMISED BY THE FAULTY TRANSFER CASE OVER A PERIOD TIME. I'VE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THIS AND THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE TRANSFER CASE IS RUINING THESE TRANSMISSIONS. I'VE ALSO DISCOVE…
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I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA CX-9 WITH 139,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSFER CASE HAS DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPROMISED BY THE FAULTY TRANSFER CASE OVER A PERIOD TIME. I'VE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THIS AND THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE TRANSFER CASE IS RUINING THESE TRANSMISSIONS. I'VE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE MAZDA DEALERSHIPS IN MY AREA ARE SELLING UPWARDS OF 4 TRANSFER CASES PER WEEK AND OFTEN OUT OF STOCK DUE TO THIS REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY TRANSFER CASE COMING OUT OF THE FACTORY. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY MAZDA HASN'T SENT OUT A BULLETIN TO IT'S VALUED CUSTOMERS REGARDING THIS. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY ON THIS IS DUE TO THE LARGE FINANCIAL IMPACT IT MAY HAVE. I AM CONTACTING YOU TO REQUEST THAT YOU TAKE THIS ISSUE TO WHOMEVER CAN HELP RESOLVE MY CASE AND PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TOWARDS THE REPLACEMENT OF MY TRANSMISSION AND FAULTY TRANSFER CASE. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT MAZDA APPARENTLY HAS A "SOFTWARE UPDATE" THAT WOULD FIX THIS ISSUE - BUT I FIND IT IMPOSSIBLE TO BELIEVE AS I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OF THIS BEING AN ISSUE OR ANY SOFTWARE UPDATE TO FIX THIS FAULTY TRANSFER CASE. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A SOFTWARE UPGRADE IS GOING TO FIX A MECHANICAL ISSUE AND CANNOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF THIS "SOFTWARE" UPDATE BEING LEGITIMATE. MAZDA SUPPOSEDLY MAKES A QUALITY PRODUCT AND SUPPOSEDLY CARES ABOUT CUSTOMER LOYALTY AND SERVICE. I WOULD SAY THAT NOT TELLING YOUR CUSTOMERS ABOUT A FAULTY PART (KNOW ISSUE ON FACTORY TRANSFER CASE) THAT DESTROYS THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSES SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL HARDSHIP IS NOT FAIR OR REASONABLE CUSTOMER SERVICE.
FRONT AXLE FELL OFF THE CAR. COULD HEAR STRANGE NOISE WHEN BACKING UP. PUT IN PARK IN DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. PULLED OVER TO SIDEWALK AND APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE. CALLED TOW TRUCK AND AXLE WAS FOUND UNDER THE CAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHEELS SPUN, BUT FAILED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHEELS SPUN, BUT FAILED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.
TRANSFER CASE FAILURE WHICH CAN CAUSE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. FOUND DURING RECENT INSPECTION. LOOKS THE PROBLEM IS IN DESIGN. MAZDA RECALLED THE TRANSFER CASE FROM 2010 MODEL AND LATER BUT NOT BEFORE. SINCE THE SAME PART IS USED IN EARLIER MODELS REQUESTING RECALL ON EARLIER MODELS TOO.
Official recalls
519V782000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Oct 31, 2019
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V356 and 17V012.
17V457000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jul 18, 2017
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2012 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2007-2008 CX-7 and CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 17V-012.
17V429000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jun 29, 2017
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.
15V451000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
Jul 20, 2015
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 CX-9 vehicles manufactured October 24, 2006, to December 28, 2013. The affected vehicles have front suspension ball joints that may corrode from water leaking into the fitting.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Over time, the ball joint corrosion may result in the front lower control arm separating from the ball joint, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both the left and right lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. The recall will begin with model year 2007-2009 vehicles registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The second phase will be for model year 2010-2014 vehicles in the same states. Finally, all remaining vehicles will be remedied. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 8515G.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 CX-9 vehicles manufactured October 24, 2006, to December 28, 2013. The affected vehicles have front suspension ball joints that may corrode from water leaking into the fitting.
Consequence: Over time, the ball joint corrosion may result in the front lower control arm separating from the ball joint, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both the left and right lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. The recall will begin with model year 2007-2009 vehicles registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The second phase will be for model year 2010-2014 vehicles in the same states. Finally, all remaining vehicles will be remedied. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 8515G.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 CX-9 vehicles manufactured October 24, 2006, to December 28, 2013. The affected vehicles have front suspension ball joints that may corrode from water leaking into the fitting.
Consequence: Over time, the ball joint corrosion may result in the front lower control arm separating from the ball joint, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both the left and right lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. The recall will begin with model year 2007-2009 vehicles registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The second phase will be for model year 2010-2014 vehicles in the same states. Finally, all remaining vehicles will be remedied. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 8515G.
09V066000 · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash
Feb 23, 2009
MAZDA IS RECALLING 30,600 MY 2007-2009 CX9 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEAT WITH POSITION MEMORY FUNCTION. THE SEAT HARNESS ROUTED UNDERNEATH THE SEAT CUSHION MAY INTERFERE WITH THE FRONT COVER BRACKET WHICH IS ATTACHED ON THE FRONT SIDE OF THE SEAT CUSHION. DUE TO THIS THE COVERING OF THE SEAT HARNESS MAY BE DAMAGED, THE CORE WIRE OF THE HARNESS MAY TOUCH WITH THE BRACKET AND RESULT IN SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVERS WILL EXPERIENCE CERTAIN FUNCTIONS THAT ARE UNCONTROLLABLE WHICH WILL CAUSE SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES IN DRIVING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT HARNESS AND FASTEN THE SEAT FRAME WITH A CABLE TIE. THE HARNESS COVERING WILL BE REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE15022 · Lower Ball Joint Separation
Opened Jun 9, 2015 · Closed Aug 20, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
In an July 7,2015 letter to NHTSA, Mazda identified a safety defect that could result in lower ball joint separation in approximately 193,484 model year (MY) 2007 through 2014 Mazda CX-9 vehicles (NHTSA Recall No. 15V-451,Mazda 8515G).Mazda indicated that damage to the ball joint boot may allow water to enter the front suspension ball joint fitting during use which may result in premature ball joint wear and a progressively looser joint.In January 2014, Mazda implemented redesigned lower control arms in production vehicles to improve the durability of the lower ball joints.The redesign involved changing the shape of the top surface of the ball joint boot cover and adding a suspension plate to the undersurface of the knuckle.Mazda's recall will replace the defect lower control arms with the redesigned parts.ODI's analysis of information collected during PE15-022 identified a total of 62 ball joint separation incidents, including 34 identified in ODI complaints and 31 identified in Mazda complaints and field reports (3 of the Mazda records involve vehicles/incidents that were also reported to ODI).When Mazda's design change was implemented, most of the field experience related to lower ball joints involved complaints of noise and premature wear-out.Only 1 of the ODI and 6 of the additional Mazda separation complaints identified in ODI's analysis were reported prior to January 2014.Significant increases in the number and trend in separation complaints were observed in 2015, when 30 of the ODI complaints and 16 of the additional Mazda complaints were reported.The report trend appears to be accelerating, with 29 of the reports received after ODI opened PE15-022 on June 9, 2015.There has been one crash reported to ODI related to the alleged defect (VOQ 10746510). This investigation is closed based on Mazda's recall.The 34 VOQs associated with this investigation are: 10747358, 10746510, 10744897, 10743509, 10736229, 10735938, 10734763, 10734302, 10734290, 10733813, 10732578, 10732217, 10732154, 10731850, 10730736, 10730280, 10730143, 10730114, 10726622, 10726480 10726448, 10726168, 10725839, 10725567, 10725488, 10725427, 10725390, 10717510, 10714469, 10695142, 10668978, 10648429, 10640541, 10546535
PE11026 · Brake Master Cylinder Leak
Opened Aug 9, 2011 · Closed Apr 9, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE11-026 to investigate possible brake performance loss due to brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder into the brake booster in model year (MY) 2008 Mazda CX-9 vehicles.In response to ODI's information request letter, Mazda identified a problem with the manufacturing process for the master cylinder primary plunger that could result in inappropriate surface finish.ODI's analysis of complaints and field reports determined that the problem was isolated to several months late in the production of the MY 2008 CX-9 vehicles.Mazda indicated that changes to the plunger machining and inspection processes were incorporated late in MY 2008 vehicle production (June 25, 2008).There are no confirmed failures related to the condition in subsequent production.The subject master cylinder was used by Mazda in MY 2007 through MY 2011 CX-9 vehicles (approximately 132,000 vehicles) with no other significant problems related to master cylinder leakage.ODI's analysis identified a total of 248 complaints and field reports potentially related to the subject condition in MY 2008 CX-9 vehicles.The majority of the records reported that brake malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illumination was the only symptom of a problem, with only 4% (9 reports) alleging any symptoms related to brake pedal feel or effectiveness.ODI identified no crash claims related to the alleged defect.In addition, analysis of this data showed a declining trend with 90 percent of the incidents reported before January 2011.Based on the extremely slow leak rate associated with the alleged defect, the declining failure trend and the low probability that the condition would affect brake performance, this investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.): 10442322, 10419837, 10449109