Mazda CX-9 2007–2015
1st generation (TB) · Ford CD3
NHTSA data through 13 August 20261,262 complaints, 921 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
- Reports with mileage
- 921
- Median of reported failures
- 72,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Brakes (30.1%)
- Recalls
- 8
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 40,500 and 107,300 miles.
Figure 1 · Mazda CX-9 2007–2015 · 921 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 82 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 6 complaints (0.7%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 15,000
- 25%
- 40,500
- Median
- 72,246
- 75%
- 107,300
- 90%
- 130,400
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 74 | 8.0% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 42 | 4.6% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 34 | 3.7% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 67 | 7.3% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 63 | 6.8% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 82 | 8.9% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 74 | 8.0% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 82 | 8.9% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 62 | 6.7% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 58 | 6.3% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 63 | 6.8% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 55 | 6.0% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 63 | 6.8% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 39 | 4.2% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 24 | 2.6% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 12 | 1.3% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 10 | 1.1% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 5 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 5 | 0.5% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 6 | 0.7% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 1,262 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2015 Mazda CX-9, and 921 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 40,500 and 107,300 miles. The median is 72,246 miles.
The most-reported areas are the brakes (30.1% of complaints, typically around 63,000 miles), the suspension (10.8% of complaints, typically around 101,000 miles), the airbag system (10.0% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles).
8 recall campaigns cover this generation. 5 of them carry a severe NHTSA advisory.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2007–2015 Mazda CX-9 last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2007–2015 Mazda CX-9 were filed by 72,000 miles and 90% by 130,000 miles — figures drawn from 921 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
6 reports (0.7%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a CX-9 reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2007–2015 CX-9: the 3-minute check
Generated from 921 mileage-tagged complaints, 8 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation. Run the VIN before you drive it home — the fix is free at any dealer.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine - water pump on 2007–2015 cars. Internal water pump seal failure. The pump is chain-driven and located inside the timing cover, so when the seal fails coolant is dumped directly into the engine oil rather than leaking externally. There is often no…
- Check transmission control on 2007–2009 cars. Transmission control module failure on early cars causing harsh shifting, limp mode and no-start; Mazda extended warranty coverage on the TCM for the early model years.
- Check drivetrain - AWD on 2007–2015 (AWD) cars. Power transfer unit / transfer case failure on AWD models, presenting as whine, vibration and loss of drive to the rear axle.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 40,000 and 107,000 miles, with a median of 72,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the brakes and the suspension are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The brakes in particular shows a median failure mileage of 63,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Mazda CX-9 2007–2015
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Brakes380 reports63,00042,000–96,000Brakes: 380 reports, median 63,000 miles, middle half 42,000 to 96,000 miles.
- Steering48 reports72,00029,000–112,000Steering: 48 reports, median 72,000 miles, middle half 29,000 to 112,000 miles.
- Airbag system126 reports75,00022,000–120,000Airbag system: 126 reports, median 75,000 miles, middle half 22,000 to 120,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise59 reports80,00045,000–111,000Problems owners could not categorise: 59 reports, median 80,000 miles, middle half 45,000 to 111,000 miles.
- Engine123 reports83,00058,000–113,000Engine: 123 reports, median 83,000 miles, middle half 58,000 to 113,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline125 reports87,00048,000–118,000Transmission and driveline: 125 reports, median 87,000 miles, middle half 48,000 to 118,000 miles.
- Suspension136 reports101,00074,000–120,000Suspension: 136 reports, median 101,000 miles, middle half 74,000 to 120,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 380 | 30.1% | 63,000 | 42,000–96,000 |
| Suspension | 136 | 10.8% | 101,000 | 74,000–120,000 |
| Airbag system | 126 | 10.0% | 75,000 | 22,000–120,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 125 | 9.9% | 87,000 | 48,000–118,000 |
| Engine | 123 | 9.7% | 83,000 | 58,000–113,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 59 | 4.7% | 80,000 | 45,000–111,000 |
| Steering | 48 | 3.8% | 72,000 | 29,000–112,000 |
| Electrical system | 39 | 3.1% | 67,000 | 36,000–110,000 |
| Wheels | 31 | 2.5% | 114,000 | 74,000–126,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 27 | 2.1% | 50,000 | 24,000–69,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Mazda CX-9 2007–2015 · 921 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 39% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 63% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 82% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 0.7% of reports (6) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
39% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Brakes — middle half 42,000–96,000 mi
- Airbag system — middle half 22,000–120,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 48,000–118,000 mi
- Engine — middle half 58,000–113,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 45,000–111,000 mi
- Steering — middle half 29,000–112,000 mi
Mostly reported later
- Suspension — middle half 74,000–120,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
63% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Brakes — middle half 42,000–96,000 mi
- Suspension — middle half 74,000–120,000 mi
- Airbag system — middle half 22,000–120,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 48,000–118,000 mi
- Engine — middle half 58,000–113,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 45,000–111,000 mi
- Steering — middle half 29,000–112,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
82% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Brakes — median 63,000 mi
- Suspension — median 101,000 mi
- Airbag system — median 75,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 87,000 mi
- Engine — median 83,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 80,000 mi
- Steering — median 72,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 72,246 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The brakes account for 30.1% of complaints (380 reports, 328 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 63,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 42,000 and 96,000 miles.
A single system taking 30.1% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The suspension accounts for 10.8% of complaints (136 reports, 88 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 101,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 74,000 and 120,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 10.0% of complaints (126 reports, 41 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 75,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 22,000 and 120,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 9.9% of complaints (125 reports, 101 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 87,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 48,000 and 118,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 9.7% of complaints (123 reports, 81 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 83,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 58,000 and 113,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 4.7% of complaints (59 reports, 35 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 80,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 45,000 and 111,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2012 model year drew the most — 263 complaints — while 2015 drew the fewest at 45. The median year sits at 98.
That makes 2012 an outlier: roughly 2.7 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 8 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
5 of these carry a severe advisory — NHTSA's do not drive or park outside warnings, which the agency applies only when it considers the risk immediate. If you own one of these vehicles, that is the first thing to check by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (5), the steering (1), the suspension (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 1,262 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 58 (4.6%)
- Fires
- 12
- Injury reports
- 21
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Engine - Water Pump 2007–2015
Internal water pump seal failure. The pump is chain-driven and located inside the timing cover, so when the seal fails coolant is dumped directly into the engine oil rather than leaking externally. There is often no visible drip and no warning until the oil is contaminated, bearings are starved and the engine is destroyed. Typically surfaces around 90,000-120,000 miles. Widely reported across the generation and the subject of owner class action activity.
Transmission Control 2007–2009
Transmission control module failure on early cars causing harsh shifting, limp mode and no-start; Mazda extended warranty coverage on the TCM for the early model years.
Drivetrain - AWD 2007–2015 (AWD)
Power transfer unit / transfer case failure on AWD models, presenting as whine, vibration and loss of drive to the rear axle.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 98 | 72 |
| 2008 | 234 | 172 |
| 2009 | 66 | 44 |
| 2010 | 194 | 145 |
| 2011 | 209 | 167 |
| 2012 | 263 | 205 |
| 2013 | 80 | 51 |
| 2014 | 73 | 38 |
| 2015 | 45 | 27 |
Recalls (8) — is your car included?
Dec 2019 · 2007–2012 · Air Bags do not driveAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. 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.
Nov 2018 · 2010–2015 · Air Bags do not driveAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. 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, Nebra
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. 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.
Mar 2018 · 2009–2013 · Air Bags do not driveAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. 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,
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. 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.
Oct 2017 · 2007–2012 · Air Bags do not driveAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. 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, Maryla
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. 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.
Aug 2017 · 2007–2011 · Air Bags do not driveAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. 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.
May 2016 · 2013–2015 · SteeringIf the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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.
Sep 2015 · 2007–2014 · SuspensionOver time, the ball joint corrosion may result in the front lower control arm separating from the ball joint…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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
Mar 2010 · 2010 · SeatsThis may cause burn damage of the seat cushion surface, or a risk of smoke/fire.
The defect. Mazda is recalling certain model year 2010 CX-9 vehicles equipped with electrically heated front seats. There is a possibility under extremely cold conditions for the seat heater control circuit to overheat and fail due to insufficient electrical grounding.
What can happen. This may cause burn damage of the seat cushion surface, or a risk of smoke/fire.
The free fix. Dealers will install an additional ground harness on the seat heater control system. The seat heater control circuit will be replaced if necessary and/or the seat will be repaired free of charge. The safety recall began on march 9, 2010. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
What owners reported
Since purchase the driver's side mirror vibrates when the car is driven over 40 MPH. Mazda is aware and will not attempt to fix it. The dealership replaced the mirror, noted the defect, but it is a design defect and there is nothing they can do and vibrating is worse than before replacement. Mazda USA will do nothing…
2007 · 500 miles · Visibility equipment
the contact owns a 2007 Mazda CX-9. While driving approximately 45 MPH or greater, the driver side exterior mirror vibrates severely. There were no warning indicators prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the authorized dealer and the technician replaced the exterior mirror. Recently, the failure recurred.…
2007 · 500 miles · Visibility equipment
Mazda 2007 CX-9 FWD touring model does not operate in snow causing safety concern. If tires start to spin the tcs system shuts off the fuel injectors if the car is going over i think 9 MPH. You can shut off the tcs but it automatically engages over 9 MPH. What this means is that if you are on a road even with a small…
2007 · 30,000 miles · Electronic stability control (esc)
On the afternoon of november 4th, 2012 while operating my Mazda at approximately 20 MPH, smoke started coming from the steering wheel. I pulled to the side of the road and came to a complete stop. Fearful for what was causing the smoke, i exited the vehicle. As i closed the door, the driver's airbag deployed. Two…
2007 · 44,000 miles · Airbag system
Built from 921 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page