← New search

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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Service Brakes complaints

23 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2024
Service Brakes

While driving the vehicle the brakes became hard to depress and a hissing came from my steering column, the car would not stop or respond to stop. I had to downshift to Neutral to get the speed slow enough to stop - and had passed through an intersection while in failure. I had also had symptoms I did not know at the time may…

Read full complaint

While driving the vehicle the brakes became hard to depress and a hissing came from my steering column, the car would not stop or respond to stop. I had to downshift to Neutral to get the speed slow enough to stop - and had passed through an intersection while in failure. I had also had symptoms I did not know at the time may be related which was at a stop at dunkins or a drive through at a stopped position - where the car would run rough the last few weeks. I thought the rough idle was gas related. I can no longer drive the vehicle and am told this is brake booster/pump issue / that other of the same parts in fords and other manufacturers are now extending customer sat programs like 13N02 because of faulty parts in the brake booster. the vehicle can be towed or seen for this problem. The vehicle has no existing coverage of the faulty brake booster. This is a car insured for my son [XXX][ to drive and It is a safety risk that this went while driving, i'm happy it was myself driving that day. Problem has been confirmed as a brake booster pump/booster failure by a service professional. No warning lights - just not able to stop the car when stepping on the brake. Thanks INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11593959

225 miles · Apr 4, 2021
Electrical SystemLane DepartureService Brakes

SOMETIMES THE BLIND SIGNAL WORKS SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T SOMETIMES IT BLINKS ON THE SCREEN AND WHEN SWITCHING LANES, BRAKES KEEPS GOING OUT BALL JOINT KEEPS POPPING HARD SHIFT OR KNOCK IN REVERSE AND WHEN PLACED IN PARK HAD REPAIR DONE SEVERAL TIMES. DVD WIRES KEEPS GOING OUT/SHORTAGE M. SOMETIMES SEAT BELT BLINKER WORK AND SOMETIM…

Read full complaint

SOMETIMES THE BLIND SIGNAL WORKS SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T SOMETIMES IT BLINKS ON THE SCREEN AND WHEN SWITCHING LANES, BRAKES KEEPS GOING OUT BALL JOINT KEEPS POPPING HARD SHIFT OR KNOCK IN REVERSE AND WHEN PLACED IN PARK HAD REPAIR DONE SEVERAL TIMES. DVD WIRES KEEPS GOING OUT/SHORTAGE M. SOMETIMES SEAT BELT BLINKER WORK AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T

NHTSA ODI #11406363

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2021
Service BrakesSteeringSuspension

MY CONTROL ARMS BEARINGS AND JOINTS ARE RUSTED AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY AREN'T COVERED THEY WERE FIXED 5 YEARS AGO AND THEY ARE DEFINITELY SEPARATED AND HAZARDOUS

NHTSA ODI #11400299

126,721 miles · Sep 12, 2020
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST THE PRESSURE ON MY BRAKE AND MY CAR WONT STOP. I HAD TO DEPRESSED THE BRAKE SO HARD. THEN I STARTED HEARING A HISSING NOISE WHILE STEPPING ON THE BRAKE.

NHTSA ODI #11354623

76,000 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Service BrakesInjury

O WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES BECAME SPONGY AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE UNLESS I INCREASED THE EFFORT TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN. FOOT HAS SLIPPED ON OCCASION CAUSING MY ANKLE TO BE STRUCK ON THE PEDAL. I NOW DOWN SHIFT GEARS TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO ASSIST IN STOPPING WHILE KEEPING EVEN FURTHER BACK FROM VEHI…

Read full complaint

O WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES BECAME SPONGY AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE UNLESS I INCREASED THE EFFORT TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN. FOOT HAS SLIPPED ON OCCASION CAUSING MY ANKLE TO BE STRUCK ON THE PEDAL. I NOW DOWN SHIFT GEARS TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO ASSIST IN STOPPING WHILE KEEPING EVEN FURTHER BACK FROM VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. CURRENTLY, NO RECALLS ARE OUT SPECIFICALLY FOR MY VIN BUT THE YEAR MAKE AND MODEL ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT RECALLS OUT FOR BAD MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER. BOTH OF WHICH HAVE FAILED IN MY VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE GAITHERSBURG MD MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY INSIST THE VEHICLE IS NOT RECALLED AND ARE SUGGESTING I PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A KNOWN RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES. ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPROPRIATED. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #11232282

136,493 miles · May 6, 2019
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND STRUCK A CURB, WHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT QUICKLY SHIFTED INTO PARK. IN ADDITION, EACH TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE SOUND OF BLOWING AIR WAS…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND STRUCK A CURB, WHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT QUICKLY SHIFTED INTO PARK. IN ADDITION, EACH TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE SOUND OF BLOWING AIR WAS HEARD FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RAY SKILLMAN MAZDA DEALERSHIP, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PHYSICALLY DIAGNOSED. THE TECHNICIANS VERBALLY INFORMED ME IMMEDIATELY OF BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE BASED ON THE SYMPTOMS CONVEYED. THE PROBLEM STEMMED FROM A DEFECTIVE BRAKE BOOSTER. I DID CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER (MAZDA CORPORATE OFFICE IN CALIFORNIA) PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE NHTSA. MAZDA WAS UNCOOPERATIVE ON ANY AGREEMENT OF REPAIRS DUE TO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD ENDING THAT I WAS UNAWARE OF." DUE TO THE UNETHICAL STANDING OF MAZDA FAILING TO ISSUE A RECALL, MYSELF AND FAMILY WERE PUT IN GREAT DANGER WHEN I EXPERIENCED THE BRAKE FAILURE. HAD WE BEEN AWARE OF THE FACT THAT MAZDA KNOWINGLY DISCOVERED THE MANUFACTURER DEFECT, I WOULD HAVE BEEN PROACTIVE IN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE PRIOR TO HAVING AN ALMOST TOTAL LIFE LOSS AND VEHICLE DAMAGE. I REQUESTED TO ESCALATE MY CONCERNS, AND SPOKE WITH A SUPERVISOR THAT SUGGESTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND STATED THEY MAY OR NOT AGREE TO COVER SOME IF ANY OF THE CHARGES. AFTER MY VEHICLE SAT ON THE LOT FOR 5 DAYS AS WE TRIED TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT, MAZDA AGREED TO COVER 50% OF THE REPAIR COST (PARTS, LABOR, AND DIAGNOSTIC FEE.) IN ADDITION, THE TECHNICIANS ALSO DISCOVERED AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT NOT LUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD. THEY DETERMINED ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN AN INDICATOR OF SOME SORT OF BRAKE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,493. *TR*JB

NHTSA ODI #11205750

156,000 miles · Oct 3, 2018
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTERS FAILED AND WERE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND AN…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTERS FAILED AND WERE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE MAZDA CX-9 VEHICLES. THE DEALER (MORRIE'S INVER GROVE MAZDA, 10 MENDOTA RD E, INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN 55077, (651) 691-4873) STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SPECIFICALLY FOR THE 2009 MAZDA CX-9 MODELS, BUT IT HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

NHTSA ODI #11133140

126,000 miles · Oct 10, 2017
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD BEFORE STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE BOOST…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD BEFORE STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000. *BF REPAIRED 10/10/17 *JB

NHTSA ODI #11032770

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2017
Service Brakes

HARD TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDALS AND ALWAYS HEAR A HISSING NOISE WHENEVER STEPPING THE BRAKES. IT IS A COMMONLY KNOWN-PROBLEM WITH BRAKE BOOSTER DIAPHRAGMS, AND MAZDA AGREED FOR "SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM" THAT EXTENDS THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR REPAIRING THIS CONDITION TO UNLIMITED TIME AND MILEAGE, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE. …

Read full complaint

HARD TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDALS AND ALWAYS HEAR A HISSING NOISE WHENEVER STEPPING THE BRAKES. IT IS A COMMONLY KNOWN-PROBLEM WITH BRAKE BOOSTER DIAPHRAGMS, AND MAZDA AGREED FOR "SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM" THAT EXTENDS THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR REPAIRING THIS CONDITION TO UNLIMITED TIME AND MILEAGE, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE. NO INCIDENT YET, BUT ALMOST CRASHED ON FREEWAY AND AT ESPECIALLY DOWNHILL STOPS SEVERAL TIMES. NEED TO BE REPLACED BY MAZDA ASAP!

NHTSA ODI #10992233

110,000 miles · Aug 29, 2016
Service Brakes

VEHICLE SUDDENLY DID NOT BRAKE AS EXPECTED. BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD TO PRESS AND UNRESPONSIVE. BRAKES MADE NOISE WHILE DEPRESSED. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT THE TIME, AND DID NOT HAVE THE ISSUE EARLIER IN THE DAY.

NHTSA ODI #10899371

Official recalls

5

19V782000 · 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

2

PE15022 · 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