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

Steering complaints

19 reports

Clear category filter

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2023

Power TrainSteeringSuspension

Once you get to 70mph it starts shaking like if a the wheels will fall off.

NHTSA ODI #11549308

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

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2021

SteeringSuspensionWheelsCrash

LOST CONTROL BRAKES FAILING AND STEERING AND WHEEL LC ABOUT TO FALL OFF DEALERSHIPS SAYING RECALL WAS COMPLETED BUT IT'S DEFINITELY NOT

NHTSA ODI #11400297

132,000 miles · Dec 15, 2019

EngineSteeringVisibility/wiper

Read full complaint

MAZDA CX-9 PROBLEM 130,000 MILES-ON NOVEMBER 25TH, AS I WAS DROPPING MY CHILDREN TO THEIR SCHOOLS, THE DEFROST SUDDENLY STOPS WORKING. I TRY TO TURN THE FAN/HEATER ALL THE WAY, BUT TO NO AVAIL. I HAD TO USE A TOWEL TO WIPE THE WINDSHIELD. AS I PULLED INTO A CURVED SIDE, THE ENGINE TURNS OFF, I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO OFF, THEN STARTS THE ENGINE AGAIN, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I PULLED OUT AND DROVE ABOUT SIX HUNDRED FEET AND PARKED. I CALL A MECHANIC AND I DROVE IT AGAIN FOR A MILE TO THE SHOP. HE OPENS UP THE HOOD AND POUR IN SOME COOLANT AND ALL THE COOLANT WERE ON THE FLOOR. HE IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME THAT COOLANT LEAKS AND OIL IS PROBABLY MIXED AND CAUSES THE ENGINE FAILURE. HE TOLD ME I HAD TO CHANGE THE ENGINE, BECAUSE FIXING IT WILL COST ME OVER TEN GRAND. I DROVE IT HOME, THEN THE FOLLOWING MORNING, I TOOK TO A DIFFERENT SHOP, THEY DID THE DIAGNOSIS AND RELATE THE SAME STORY THAT CHECK CODES SHOWED THREE CODES: P0016, CRANK POSITION SENSOR CORRELATION BANK ONE SENSOR A. 1285 CYLINDER HEAD OVER TEMPERATURE, 1299 CYLINDER HEAD TEMP PROTECTION. THE CODES INDICATE AN OVERHEAT SCENARIO THAT RESULTED IN ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THEY CHECK OIL AND FOUND MILKY SUBSTANCE INSTEAD OF OIL. PRESSURE CHECK FOR COOLANT LEAK PUSHED MILKY OIL OUT OF DIPSTICK TUBE. HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED DUE TO OVERHEATING AND THE COOLANT HAS CONTAMINATED THE ENGINE OIL. THEIR RECOMMENDATION IS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE, ASSEMBLY AND FLUSH COOLING SYSTEM. THEIR TOTAL ESTIMATE IS $10,900. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS SERVICE REPAIR. I CANNOT EVEN SPEND THAT MUCH OF MONEY ON ANOTHER CAR. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR THINKING THAT IT WILL TAKE US FOR SOME TIME BEFORE WE'LL NEED ANOTHER CAR. I CONTACTED MAZDA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS, "WISH THERE WERE NEVER PART FAILURES", NOW, I'M STUCK. SO THIS IS MY STORY!!! SAFETY ISSUES: SUDDEN ENGINE SHUT OFF, DEFROST MALFUNCTION AND STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI #11289195

237,000 miles · Mar 2, 2018

Air BagsSteering

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND PULLED WHILE MAKING TURNS. ADDITIONALLY, THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CJ WILSON MAZDA (8910 W 159TH ST, ORLAND PARK, IL 60462) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED AND A TIE ROD REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 237,000.

NHTSA ODI #11075860

112,000 miles · Dec 19, 2017

SteeringSuspension

I HAD THE RECALL DONE ON THE A ARMS AND BALL JOINTS REPLACED AND IT'S ONLY BEEN A YEAR ALSO THE REAR STABLIZER LINKS HAVE FAILED ALSO AGAIN AFTER FACTORY REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11055576

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2016

Air BagsSeat BeltsSteering

I HAD A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT POTENTIAL DEFECT ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM THAT CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY ON MY MAZDA C-X 9 2008. I CONTACTED THE DEALER CLOSE TO MY RESIDENT AS PRESCRIBED ON THE RECALL NOTICE. THEY SAID THEY WILL GET BACK WITH ME AS SOON AS THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 3 MONTHS AND I HAVE NOT GOT ANY RE…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10927773

65,000 miles · Jan 26, 2016

SteeringUnknown Or OtherWheels

I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A PARKING LOT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CRUNCH COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND FULLY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. WHEN I CAME OUTSIDE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED I SAW THAT BALL JOINT ON MY FRONT LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) BROKE, THE WHEEL WITH PART OF THE AXEL FULLY OUT, AND THAT BREAK FLUID WAS SPOILED ALL OVER. I…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10822207

136,300 miles · Dec 9, 2015

SteeringSuspensionWheels

Read full complaint

WHILE TAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN IN THE PARKING LOT OF LOGAN AIRPORT, AND TRAVELLING ABOUT 5-10 MPH, MY CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE AND CAME TO A SUDDEN AND ABRUPT HALT. I STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR AND DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD DISCONNECTED FROM THE STEERING ARM. THE CAR WAS IMMOBILIZED, AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER TRAFFIC IN THE AIRPORT PARKING LOT, CAUSING CHAOS IN THE PARKING LOT AND CAUSING THEM TO TEMPORARILY SHUT DOWN AN ENTIRE FLOOR OF THE PARKING LOT WHILE THEY STRUGGLED TO TOW THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY. THE CAR WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND THE TIRE ARMS AND BALL JOINTS WERE REPAIRED PURSUANT TO A RECALL (8515G). THE FRONT TIRES WERE ALSO UNEVENLY WORN AND REPLACED, VERY LIKELY FROM THE BALL JOINT / STEERING ARM ISSUE, AND COST $481.55. MAZDA WOULD NOT REIMBURSE FOR THE TIRES BECAUSE I COULD NOT LOCATE RECEIPTS TO PROVE I HAD ROTATED THE TIRES AT THE APPROPRIATE INTERVALS, SPECIFICALLY STATING "OUR DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM IF THE WEARING OF THE TIRES WERE DUE TO THE RECALL ITEM AS THERE WAS NO SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION INDICATING THE PROPER MAINTENANCE ON THE TIRES". I DO NOT BELIEVE MOST PEOPLE KEEP RECORDS OF EVERY OIL CHANGE / TIRE ROTATION THEY HAVE DONE, BUT THE WEAR WAS VERY CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WOULD BE EXPECTED FOR BALL JOINT ISSUES. FURTHERMORE THE CAR HAD BEEN INSPECTED BY THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, AND NO UNEVEN WEAR WAS FOUND AT THAT TIME, GIVING FURTHER INDICATION THAT THE UNEVEN WEAR WAS LINKED TO THE BALL JOINT / TIRE ROD ISSUE. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT OCCUR ONE DAY EARLIER WHILE TOWING A BOAT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY DISABLED SON, THIS COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN A MULTI FATALITY ACCIDENT. I HAVE LITERALLY HAD NIGHTMARES OVER THIS POSSIBILITY. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI #10809347

118,000 miles · Sep 23, 2015

SteeringSuspensionWheels

Read full complaint

WAS DRIVING ON NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD, HEADING TOWARD A STATE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN A LARGE BOOM OCCURRED AND I LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF THE CAR AND WENT UP THE CURB AND ONTO THE SIDEWALK. I THOUGHT I'D BLOWN A TIRE BUT GOT OUT AND SAW THE ENTIRE WHEEL WAS DISCONNECTED - THE SUSPENSION RUINED. WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHARE PICTURES MECHANIC SAYS BALL JOINT, CV JOINT CAME COMPLETELY OFF AS WELL AS BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER. I READ ONLINE ABOUT SIMILAR ISSUES AND THAT NHTSA HAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE15022. CONSIDER THIS ANOTHER CASE! I'M THANKFUL THERE WERE NO PEOPLE THAT I SWERVED INTO WHEN LOSING CONTROL! THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZARD- AY LEAST IN STATES WHERE SALT IS USED ON ROADS, LIKE HERE IN MN I EXPECT MAZDA TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ADDITIONAL INFO OR NEXT STEPS. THANK YOU! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10775474

Official recalls

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

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

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.

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

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