NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
68 reports74,500 miles · May 26, 2020
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO HOLIDAY MAZDA LOCATED AT 416 N ROLLING MEADOWS DR, FOND DU LAC, …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO HOLIDAY MAZDA LOCATED AT 416 N ROLLING MEADOWS DR, FOND DU LAC, WI 54937, (920) 322-2550, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,500.
NHTSA ODI #11325986
107,000 miles · Apr 26, 2020
Service Brakes
BRAKE BOOSTER HISSING WHEN APPLYING BREAKS WHILE TRAVELING AND STOPPED.
NHTSA ODI #11322326
124,195 miles · Mar 18, 2020
Engine
IN 2011 WE LEASED A CX9 AND WE ENJOYED IT SO MUCH THAT WE DECIDED TO PURCHASE A CX9 IN 2013. JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I HAD AN EXPERIENCE THAT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. I WAS DRIVING AND REALIZED THE HEAT WAS NOT COMING ON AND THAT WAS UNUSUAL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SOON AFTER THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING. I AM FORTUNA…
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IN 2011 WE LEASED A CX9 AND WE ENJOYED IT SO MUCH THAT WE DECIDED TO PURCHASE A CX9 IN 2013. JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I HAD AN EXPERIENCE THAT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. I WAS DRIVING AND REALIZED THE HEAT WAS NOT COMING ON AND THAT WAS UNUSUAL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SOON AFTER THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING. I AM FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. I NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AND WE HAD IT BROUGHT TO MAZDA IN DANBURY, CT. WE FOUND OUT THE NEXT DAY THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE WERE SHOCKED AND THEN VERY UPSET TO FIND OUT THAT IT WOULD COST 10,000 DOLLARS TO REPAIR. WE HAVE HAD OUR CAR SERVICED REGULARLY BY COLONIAL MAZDA IN DANBURY, CT. NOW WE HAVE A CAR THAT IS WORTH NOTHING. NOW WE ARE PUT IN A POSITION TO REPLACE OUR CAR AND HAVE NOTHING TO TURN IN TO DEFER THE COST. WITH RESEARCH WE HAVE FOUND THAT DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE MANY MAZDA CX9 HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM DUE TO THE WATER PUMP LEAKING, THE TRANSFER CASE LEAKING, AND ANTIFREEZE GOING INTO THE ENGINE. IN OUR OPINION, AND APPARENTLY TO MANY CASES WE HAVE READ ONLINE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED IN TO FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ON A SIDE ROAD, SOMEONE ELSE MAY NOT BE AS FORTUNATE. THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE IF FLAWED AND IS MORE THAN LIKELY WHY MAZDA IS NOT HAVING A RECALL, BECAUSE IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR.
NHTSA ODI #11318576
60,000 miles · Mar 7, 2020
Power TrainFire
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND MY MAZDA CX9 CAUGHT FIRE! I DIDN'T REALIZE IT SINCE IT WAS UNDER THE CAR AND THE CAR BESIDE INFORMED ME OF IT. THIS WAS DUE TO THE TRANSFER CASE ISSUES THAT MAZDA HAD TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THEM BECAUSE OF SO MANY ISSUES WITH THEM. THEY ARE COVERED FOR 90 THOUSAND MILES OR 7 YEARS. …
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND MY MAZDA CX9 CAUGHT FIRE! I DIDN'T REALIZE IT SINCE IT WAS UNDER THE CAR AND THE CAR BESIDE INFORMED ME OF IT. THIS WAS DUE TO THE TRANSFER CASE ISSUES THAT MAZDA HAD TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THEM BECAUSE OF SO MANY ISSUES WITH THEM. THEY ARE COVERED FOR 90 THOUSAND MILES OR 7 YEARS. MY TRANSFER CASE WAS ALREADY REPLACED ONCE AND DO TO ISSUES AND NOW SINCE MY CAR IS PAST THE 7 YEARS BUT ONLY HAS 60 THOUSAND MILES THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR IT. EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSFER CASE THEY REPLACED A FEW YEARS AGO SHOULD STILL BE UNDER WARRANTY. THIS SITUATION COULD OF BEEN A LOT WORSE AND THANK GOODNESS MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR WITH ME.
NHTSA ODI #11316715
88,950 miles · Nov 19, 2019
Engine
WATER PUMP CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO MIX WITH MOTOR OIL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO HAVE TO BE REPLACE ON THREE OCCASIONS WITHIN 6 MONTHS
NHTSA ODI #11280993
45,000 miles · Jul 24, 2019
Seat Belts
THIRD ROW SEAT BELT BUCKLES HAVE NOT HOLDERS PREVENTING IT FROM GOING UNDER AND BETWEEN THE SEATS WHEN SEATS ARE RAISED AND LOWERED. RESULTING IN THE BUCKLES TO BE CRUSHED,BROKEN AND UNUSABLE ENDANGERING PASSENGERS IN THIRD ROW TRAVEL WITHOUT SEAT BELTS ANYMORE
NHTSA ODI #11234640
130,000 miles · Jun 27, 2019
Engine
THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT THE TIME ON A BUSY FREEWAY. WHEN STARTED OVERHEATING WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE THEN CUT OFF ON FREEWAY WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AT A FAST SPEED. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO SHOULDER. TOWED CAR TO SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT MAZDA HAS FAULTY WATER PUMPS AND THAT MY ENGINE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO COOLA…
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THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT THE TIME ON A BUSY FREEWAY. WHEN STARTED OVERHEATING WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE THEN CUT OFF ON FREEWAY WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AT A FAST SPEED. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO SHOULDER. TOWED CAR TO SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT MAZDA HAS FAULTY WATER PUMPS AND THAT MY ENGINE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO MY OIL WITH TURNED IT TO A THICK MUD. NEW ENGINE NEEDED. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND THERE ARE COUNTLESS CONSUMERS COMPLAINING OF SAME ISSUE WITH MAZDA. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR YOUR CAR TO JUST STOP WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS OR TRAVELING ON ANY HIGHWAY THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS FAULTY WATER PUMP INSIDE OF THE MAZDA ENGINE. I BELIEVE SOME ONE SOON WILL BE INJURED OR KILLED BY THIS ISSUE! THANKFULLY IT WASN'T MY CHILD AND I.
NHTSA ODI #11222956
70,000 miles · Jun 24, 2019
Service Brakes
BRAKES PEDAL ON MY WIFE'S CAR BECAME HARD WHEN PRESSED ON (REGARDLESS OF SPEED) AND NOTICED A HISSING NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THE WORST AND SCARIEST PART IS THAT THE BRAKES DIDN'T STOP THE CAR AND FELT AS IF I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES ON A CAR THAT WAS NOT TURNED ON. LUCKILY WE DIDN'T GET INTO ANY ACCIDENT AND STOP DRIVING TH…
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BRAKES PEDAL ON MY WIFE'S CAR BECAME HARD WHEN PRESSED ON (REGARDLESS OF SPEED) AND NOTICED A HISSING NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THE WORST AND SCARIEST PART IS THAT THE BRAKES DIDN'T STOP THE CAR AND FELT AS IF I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES ON A CAR THAT WAS NOT TURNED ON. LUCKILY WE DIDN'T GET INTO ANY ACCIDENT AND STOP DRIVING THE CAR. HAD CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CHECKING ONLINE AND THIS APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN AN KNOWN ISSUE WITH EARLIER CX9 CARS.
NHTSA ODI #11222325
60,585 miles · May 25, 2019
Seat Belts
IN THE THIRD ROW THERE ARE NO KIND OF HOLDERS PREVENTING THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES FROM GOING UNDER AND BETWEEN THE SEATS WHEN THEY ARE FOLDED DOWN AND UP. THIS HAS RESULTED IN THEM GETTING TRAPPED BETWEEN THE SEATS AND UNDER THE FOLDING MECHANISM AND GETTING CRUSHED TO THE POINT OF BEING UNUSABLE AND UNSAFE. WE ARE CURRENTLY UNABLE…
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IN THE THIRD ROW THERE ARE NO KIND OF HOLDERS PREVENTING THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES FROM GOING UNDER AND BETWEEN THE SEATS WHEN THEY ARE FOLDED DOWN AND UP. THIS HAS RESULTED IN THEM GETTING TRAPPED BETWEEN THE SEATS AND UNDER THE FOLDING MECHANISM AND GETTING CRUSHED TO THE POINT OF BEING UNUSABLE AND UNSAFE. WE ARE CURRENTLY UNABLE TO USE THE BACK SEAT SEATBELTS DUE TO THEM BEING UNABLE TO BE BUCKLED AT ALL. WE DISCOVERED THIS WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN WE WENT TO RETRIEVE THE REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES FOR USE.
NHTSA ODI #11209917
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2019
Service Brakes
A FAULTY BRAKE BOOSTER.
NHTSA ODI #11203058
Official recalls
4Oct 12, 2018
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 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 covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles 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 or "Zone C." 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 explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity 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: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.
Jan 9, 2018
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2013 Mazda6 and CX-9 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 covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2010 Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9 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 covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 Mazda6, CX-7, and CX-9 vehicles 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 or "Zone C." 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 explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity 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: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.
Apr 11, 2016
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If the bolts are loose, they will be replaced and then correctly tightened, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9316D.
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
2PE19006 · Inadvertent Curtain Air Bag Deployment
Opened May 2, 2019 · Closed Jan 15, 2021
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:side/window; Air Bags:side/window:curtain
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE19-006) on May 2, 2019 to investigate two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and Early Warning Reporting data related to allegations of inadvertent deployment (IAD) of side curtain airbags in Model Year (MY) 2010 through 2013 Mazda CX-9 vehicles. ODI sent an Information Request (IR) to Mazda North America Operations, LLC. to gather information about the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In the 20 months since opening the PE, ODI has received three additional VOQs. To date, there have been a total of 11 IAD incidents within the identified population of 104,360 vehicles. Of the 11 incidents, no serious injuries were reported. The last known incident occurred in December 2020.Mazda's response to ODI's IR letter identified the root cause as a manufacturing issue of the Bosch SMG076 Roll Rate Sensor within the Restraint Control Module (RCM). During the manufacturing calibration process, small particles may be generated that could affect roll sensor capacitance, which could lead to a loss of curtain airbag protection or an erroneous deployment command. On November 19, 2012, a revised Roll Rate Sensor calibration process was launched, establishing a clean point for the issue. In its responses to ODI, Mazda has assessed the condition as a low risk to motor vehicle safety, with low incident frequency not warranting action. Any RCM data indicating a malfunctioning Roll Rate Sensor will result in the illumination of the airbag warning light. In the event of an erroneous curtain airbag deployment, there is no contact with properly seated occupants. Additionally, the condition is not affected by deterioration or wear, and known incidents established a random pattern of occurrence.During the investigation, ODI examined the injury risk to vehicle occupants from curtain airbag deployments. It was determined that the subject vehicles do not pose a substantial risk to out of position occupants, as testing data falls within Technical Working Group (TWG) reference values. Modeling simulation based on data provided by Mazda for properly seated occupants during static and dynamic airbag deployments indicated sufficient head clearance and no risk of brain injury. ODI analysis reveals that inadvertent deployment incident rates of curtain airbags in the subject vehicles are low through approximately ten years in service. Incident frequency does not meet values warranting recall action, but rather align closely with baseline frequency of general inadvertent deployments which are known to occur in rare driving conditions. Additionally, warranty analysis of RCM failures resulting in a loss of curtain airbag protection revealed low claim rates.Based on the analysis conducted, this investigation has been closed. The closing of this investigation does not foreclose the Agency from taking further action, if warranted, or the potential for a future finding that a safety-related defect exists, based upon additional information the Agency may receive.The five ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following identification numbers: 10905492, 11165925, 11270089, 11310044, 11385219.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Air Bags
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE19-006) on May 2, 2019 to investigate two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and Early Warning Reporting data related to allegations of inadvertent deployment (IAD) of side curtain airbags in Model Year (MY) 2010 through 2013 Mazda CX-9 vehicles. ODI sent an Information Request (IR) to Mazda North America Operations, LLC. to gather information about the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In the 20 months since opening the PE, ODI has received three additional VOQs. To date, there have been a total of 11 IAD incidents within the identified population of 104,360 vehicles. Of the 11 incidents, no serious injuries were reported. The last known incident occurred in December 2020.Mazda's response to ODI's IR letter identified the root cause as a manufacturing issue of the Bosch SMG076 Roll Rate Sensor within the Restraint Control Module (RCM). During the manufacturing calibration process, small particles may be generated that could affect roll sensor capacitance, which could lead to a loss of curtain airbag protection or an erroneous deployment command. On November 19, 2012, a revised Roll Rate Sensor calibration process was launched, establishing a clean point for the issue. In its responses to ODI, Mazda has assessed the condition as a low risk to motor vehicle safety, with low incident frequency not warranting action. Any RCM data indicating a malfunctioning Roll Rate Sensor will result in the illumination of the airbag warning light. In the event of an erroneous curtain airbag deployment, there is no contact with properly seated occupants. Additionally, the condition is not affected by deterioration or wear, and known incidents established a random pattern of occurrence.During the investigation, ODI examined the injury risk to vehicle occupants from curtain airbag deployments. It was determined that the subject vehicles do not pose a substantial risk to out of position occupants, as testing data falls within Technical Working Group (TWG) reference values. Modeling simulation based on data provided by Mazda for properly seated occupants during static and dynamic airbag deployments indicated sufficient head clearance and no risk of brain injury. ODI analysis reveals that inadvertent deployment incident rates of curtain airbags in the subject vehicles are low through approximately ten years in service. Incident frequency does not meet values warranting recall action, but rather align closely with baseline frequency of general inadvertent deployments which are known to occur in rare driving conditions. Additionally, warranty analysis of RCM failures resulting in a loss of curtain airbag protection revealed low claim rates.Based on the analysis conducted, this investigation has been closed. The closing of this investigation does not foreclose the Agency from taking further action, if warranted, or the potential for a future finding that a safety-related defect exists, based upon additional information the Agency may receive.The five ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following identification numbers: 10905492, 11165925, 11270089, 11310044, 11385219.
Air Bags:side/window:curtain
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE19-006) on May 2, 2019 to investigate two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and Early Warning Reporting data related to allegations of inadvertent deployment (IAD) of side curtain airbags in Model Year (MY) 2010 through 2013 Mazda CX-9 vehicles. ODI sent an Information Request (IR) to Mazda North America Operations, LLC. to gather information about the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In the 20 months since opening the PE, ODI has received three additional VOQs. To date, there have been a total of 11 IAD incidents within the identified population of 104,360 vehicles. Of the 11 incidents, no serious injuries were reported. The last known incident occurred in December 2020.Mazda's response to ODI's IR letter identified the root cause as a manufacturing issue of the Bosch SMG076 Roll Rate Sensor within the Restraint Control Module (RCM). During the manufacturing calibration process, small particles may be generated that could affect roll sensor capacitance, which could lead to a loss of curtain airbag protection or an erroneous deployment command. On November 19, 2012, a revised Roll Rate Sensor calibration process was launched, establishing a clean point for the issue. In its responses to ODI, Mazda has assessed the condition as a low risk to motor vehicle safety, with low incident frequency not warranting action. Any RCM data indicating a malfunctioning Roll Rate Sensor will result in the illumination of the airbag warning light. In the event of an erroneous curtain airbag deployment, there is no contact with properly seated occupants. Additionally, the condition is not affected by deterioration or wear, and known incidents established a random pattern of occurrence.During the investigation, ODI examined the injury risk to vehicle occupants from curtain airbag deployments. It was determined that the subject vehicles do not pose a substantial risk to out of position occupants, as testing data falls within Technical Working Group (TWG) reference values. Modeling simulation based on data provided by Mazda for properly seated occupants during static and dynamic airbag deployments indicated sufficient head clearance and no risk of brain injury. ODI analysis reveals that inadvertent deployment incident rates of curtain airbags in the subject vehicles are low through approximately ten years in service. Incident frequency does not meet values warranting recall action, but rather align closely with baseline frequency of general inadvertent deployments which are known to occur in rare driving conditions. Additionally, warranty analysis of RCM failures resulting in a loss of curtain airbag protection revealed low claim rates.Based on the analysis conducted, this investigation has been closed. The closing of this investigation does not foreclose the Agency from taking further action, if warranted, or the potential for a future finding that a safety-related defect exists, based upon additional information the Agency may receive.The five ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following identification numbers: 10905492, 11165925, 11270089, 11310044, 11385219.
Air Bags:side/window
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE19-006) on May 2, 2019 to investigate two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and Early Warning Reporting data related to allegations of inadvertent deployment (IAD) of side curtain airbags in Model Year (MY) 2010 through 2013 Mazda CX-9 vehicles. ODI sent an Information Request (IR) to Mazda North America Operations, LLC. to gather information about the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In the 20 months since opening the PE, ODI has received three additional VOQs. To date, there have been a total of 11 IAD incidents within the identified population of 104,360 vehicles. Of the 11 incidents, no serious injuries were reported. The last known incident occurred in December 2020.Mazda's response to ODI's IR letter identified the root cause as a manufacturing issue of the Bosch SMG076 Roll Rate Sensor within the Restraint Control Module (RCM). During the manufacturing calibration process, small particles may be generated that could affect roll sensor capacitance, which could lead to a loss of curtain airbag protection or an erroneous deployment command. On November 19, 2012, a revised Roll Rate Sensor calibration process was launched, establishing a clean point for the issue. In its responses to ODI, Mazda has assessed the condition as a low risk to motor vehicle safety, with low incident frequency not warranting action. Any RCM data indicating a malfunctioning Roll Rate Sensor will result in the illumination of the airbag warning light. In the event of an erroneous curtain airbag deployment, there is no contact with properly seated occupants. Additionally, the condition is not affected by deterioration or wear, and known incidents established a random pattern of occurrence.During the investigation, ODI examined the injury risk to vehicle occupants from curtain airbag deployments. It was determined that the subject vehicles do not pose a substantial risk to out of position occupants, as testing data falls within Technical Working Group (TWG) reference values. Modeling simulation based on data provided by Mazda for properly seated occupants during static and dynamic airbag deployments indicated sufficient head clearance and no risk of brain injury. ODI analysis reveals that inadvertent deployment incident rates of curtain airbags in the subject vehicles are low through approximately ten years in service. Incident frequency does not meet values warranting recall action, but rather align closely with baseline frequency of general inadvertent deployments which are known to occur in rare driving conditions. Additionally, warranty analysis of RCM failures resulting in a loss of curtain airbag protection revealed low claim rates.Based on the analysis conducted, this investigation has been closed. The closing of this investigation does not foreclose the Agency from taking further action, if warranted, or the potential for a future finding that a safety-related defect exists, based upon additional information the Agency may receive.The five ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following identification numbers: 10905492, 11165925, 11270089, 11310044, 11385219.
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
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