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2007 Mazda CX-9

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Mazda CX-9 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 61.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

52 reports with mileage · 15 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 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

67 reports
120,000 miles · Jul 21, 2015
SteeringUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY COMING HOME FROM A TRIP I NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME I HIT A SMALL BUMP THE FRONT END WOULD MOVE ONE DIRECTION AND THEN COME BACK HARD THE OTHER WAY. WHEN I RETURNED HOME I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED MY THAT MY LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE EXTREMELY LOOSE (1/2" OF MOVEMENT) AND THAT I WAS LUCKY…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY COMING HOME FROM A TRIP I NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME I HIT A SMALL BUMP THE FRONT END WOULD MOVE ONE DIRECTION AND THEN COME BACK HARD THE OTHER WAY. WHEN I RETURNED HOME I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED MY THAT MY LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE EXTREMELY LOOSE (1/2" OF MOVEMENT) AND THAT I WAS LUCKY THEY DID NOT FALL OUT. HE ALSO SAID IT WAS SO BAD THAT IT WASN'T EVEN SAFE FOR HIM TO TEST DRIVE THE CAR. BOTH SIDES HAD TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING REPLACED: OUTER TIE ROD, LOWER CONTROL ARM/BALL JOINT, AND THE SWAY BAR LINK. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT I DID NOT HAVE A WHEEL COME OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY AS OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THIS SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10735487

110,000 miles · Jul 15, 2015
Suspension

TWO WEEKS AGO I BROUGHT IN MY CAR DUE TO NOISE AND STEERING ISSUES. THE RIGHT BALL JOINT WAS FOUND TO BE VERY LOOSE AND ABOUT TO FAIL, SO IT WAS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE LEFT BALL JOINT AND DETERMINED IT WAS TIGHT AND THEREFORE DID NOT RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT. YESTERDAY, WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT BALL JOINT FAILED. M…

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TWO WEEKS AGO I BROUGHT IN MY CAR DUE TO NOISE AND STEERING ISSUES. THE RIGHT BALL JOINT WAS FOUND TO BE VERY LOOSE AND ABOUT TO FAIL, SO IT WAS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE LEFT BALL JOINT AND DETERMINED IT WAS TIGHT AND THEREFORE DID NOT RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT. YESTERDAY, WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT BALL JOINT FAILED. MY TIRE GOT WRACKED AND LOCKED-UP SENDING ME INTO A SKID. I HAD TO BE TOWED. THE AXLE BROKE, PLUS THE SWAY BAR, STRUT AND CONTROL ARM ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED, BETWEEN THE TWO REPAIRS, THE COST IS QUITE HIGH. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY AT HIGH SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI #10734290

130,273 miles · Jul 6, 2015
Suspension

I PURCHASED THE 2007 MAZDA CX-9, FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP, AND HAD IT LESS THAN 24 HOURS, AND AS I WAS TURNING INTO MY WORK PLACE THE BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BROKE. I WAS LUCKY IT HADN'T HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I WAS GOING 70 MPH . THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM WAS NICE AND FIXED MY VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE.…

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I PURCHASED THE 2007 MAZDA CX-9, FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP, AND HAD IT LESS THAN 24 HOURS, AND AS I WAS TURNING INTO MY WORK PLACE THE BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BROKE. I WAS LUCKY IT HADN'T HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I WAS GOING 70 MPH . THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM WAS NICE AND FIXED MY VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE.

NHTSA ODI #10732154

61,000 miles · Jul 3, 2015
Suspension

TRAVELING LOW SPEED TO MAKE RIGHT HAND TURN INTO DRIVEWAY. HEARD POP AND CRUNCH FROM DRIVER'S SIDE. LOST CONTROL, UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE. EXITED VEHICLE TO FIND DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL LODGED INTO FENDER. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED LOWER BALL JOINT SHEARED/SEPARATED AND ALLOWED TIRE TO FLOP OVER. RESULTING DAMAGE INCLUDED LOWER CONT…

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TRAVELING LOW SPEED TO MAKE RIGHT HAND TURN INTO DRIVEWAY. HEARD POP AND CRUNCH FROM DRIVER'S SIDE. LOST CONTROL, UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE. EXITED VEHICLE TO FIND DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL LODGED INTO FENDER. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED LOWER BALL JOINT SHEARED/SEPARATED AND ALLOWED TIRE TO FLOP OVER. RESULTING DAMAGE INCLUDED LOWER CONTROL ARM, CV AXLE ASSEMBLY, SHOCK/STRUT ASSEMBLY, TIE ROD, FENDER, AND DOOR. VERY FORTUNATE TO BE TRAVELLING AT LOW SPEED WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI #10731850

94,000 miles · Jun 26, 2015
Suspension

WE WERE COMING HOME FROM OUR SON'S BASEBALL GAME WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. THERE WERE 2 ADULTS AND 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. WE WERE TRAVELING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A 3 LANE HIGHWAY AND WERE GOING ABOUT 65 MPH, WHICH IS THE SPEED LIMIT ON THIS HIGHWAY. OUT OF NOWHERE, THERE WAS A VERY LOUD "POP" SOUND …

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WE WERE COMING HOME FROM OUR SON'S BASEBALL GAME WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. THERE WERE 2 ADULTS AND 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. WE WERE TRAVELING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A 3 LANE HIGHWAY AND WERE GOING ABOUT 65 MPH, WHICH IS THE SPEED LIMIT ON THIS HIGHWAY. OUT OF NOWHERE, THERE WAS A VERY LOUD "POP" SOUND AND YOU COULD FEEL THE CAR SHIFT A LITTLE BIT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AT ALL. I PUT MY FOOT ON BRAKE LIGHTLY TO TRY AND BRING THE CAR TO A STOP WITHOUT SLAMMING THE BRAKES SINCE WE WERE ON HIGHWAY. THE CAR BRIEFLY JERKED TO THE LEFT AND THEN DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT. IT CONTINUED TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO BRING TO A COMPLETE STOP ABOUT 2-3 FEET FROM THE EDGE OF HIGHWAY INSIDE LANE. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND IT WAS JUST STARTING TO GET DARK. THERE WERE PLENTY OF OTHER VEHICLES TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT THE TIME, BUT THIS HAPPENED AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME WHEN THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT OF US. IF IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED 15 SECONDS EARLIER OR LATER, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL WHERE THE CAR WAS GOING. IT WAS DEFINITELY A VERY SCARY SITUATION AND WE FEEL EXTREMELY LUCKY. SINCE THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE, I HAD TO CALL AAA TO COME GET VEHICLE AND TAKE TO LOCAL AUTO SHOP. THEY TOLD ME THE BALL JOINT COMPLETELY SNAPPED/SEPARATED AND I WOULD NEED NEW TIE RODS, BALL JOINT, CONTROL ARM, AXLE, QUICK STRUT AND TIRE ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WITHIN 5 MONTH PERIOD. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO FRONT PASSENGER SIDE 5 MONTHS EARLIER AT LOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT. WE HAD REPAIRED AND THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO THE OTHER SIDE IN THIS SITUATION, WHICH WAS MUCH MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION. IN BOTH CASES, THE BALL JOINT COMPLETELY SEPARATED.

NHTSA ODI #10730634

89,099 miles · Jun 24, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE MAKING A SLIGHT RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND CAME FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD, BALL JOINTS, CONTROL ARM, AND AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE MAKING A SLIGHT RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND CAME FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD, BALL JOINTS, CONTROL ARM, AND AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,099.

NHTSA ODI #10730143

127,000 miles · Jun 24, 2015
Suspension

LOWER BALL JOINT IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION SEPARATED CAUSING THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF ROUNDING A CORNER......UPDATED 08/20/15 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10730114

127,000 miles · Jun 22, 2015
SteeringSuspension

YESTERDAY (6/21/15) AT APPROXIMATELY 630PM; MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2007 MAZDA CX9 GRAND TOURING (AWD). AS SHE WAS PULLING OUT OF A SUBDIVISION AT APPROXIMATELY 10MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THEN IMMEDIATELY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO OTHER TRAFFIC IN THE VICINITY AND SHE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND GET ST…

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YESTERDAY (6/21/15) AT APPROXIMATELY 630PM; MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2007 MAZDA CX9 GRAND TOURING (AWD). AS SHE WAS PULLING OUT OF A SUBDIVISION AT APPROXIMATELY 10MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THEN IMMEDIATELY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO OTHER TRAFFIC IN THE VICINITY AND SHE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND GET STOPPED. THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL AT BROKEN FREE OF THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING MECHANISM. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR SHOP THE LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE, PUSHED OUT AND BROKE THE AXLE SHAFT. ALSO THE FORCE OF THE SHIFTING WHEEL/TIRE PUSHED THE RIGHT QUARTER-PANEL INTO THE RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR, MAKING THE DOOR INOPERABLE. I'VE HEARD OF OTHERS WITH THIS SAME INCIDENT WITH THE CX9. FORTUNATELY THIS OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED, WITH NO OTHER TRAFFIC OR PEDESTRIANS IN THE AREA.

NHTSA ODI #10726622

80,000 miles · Jun 22, 2015
Suspension

I WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AND MY MAZDA CX 9 CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I REALIZED THAT THE SUSPENSION BROKE AND THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE BEARING. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED...UPDATED 08-12-15*BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PART WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 08/2…

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I WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AND MY MAZDA CX 9 CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I REALIZED THAT THE SUSPENSION BROKE AND THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE BEARING. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED...UPDATED 08-12-15*BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PART WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 08/25/15*JB

NHTSA ODI #10726480

95,000 miles · Jun 19, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE AXLE FRACTURED AND LODGED INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10726168

Official recalls

4

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.

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

1

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