08 mazda cx-9 making loud noise underneath vehicle. Made a right turn(5mph) in residential area. While making the turn the left side suspension/steering came apart causing vehicle to come to a sudden stop. Vehicle was towed and later repaired at a firestone auto care. Vehicle needed repairs to control arm assembly(remove-replace f control arm/lower one side).. Left new cv complete assembly(remove/install f axle shaft assembly-left). Sway bar link(remove/replace f stabilizer bar control link-both). Replace front shock/strut assemly-both sides. Sudden stop also caused damage to left front tire that had to be replaced. Total amount of repairs $1,756.96. Providing this information after reading on internet that the federal safety agency was investigating similar complaints involving this vehicle and front end problems.
2008 Mazda CX-9 steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 19 of 19, newest first, as owners wrote them.
On 06 june 2015 at approximately 1400 my wife was making a left hand turn through an intersection at approximately 15 MPH. Near the end of the turn the front passenger wheel broke loose turning nearly 90 degrees to the right and jammed itself into the rear of the fender well. The car was immediately immobilized and came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the intersection. Looking at the damage it was obvious that the lower ball joint had failed and broke completely free. This caused the wheel to turn nearly 90 degrees to the right which subsequently ripped out the cv axle from the transmission. Had this occurred at highway speeds the results could have been deadly. The vehicle had to be towed to a repair facility where the control arm/ball joint assembly, the cv shaft, and sway bar link was replaced. There is also fender well and body damage that will have to be repaired. On 10 july 2015, I noticed an unusual instability while negotiating wide turns on the highway. It felt as if the vehicle had a wheel loose. While turning to the right, the vehicle would abruptly turn even sharper to right almost causing an unintentional lane change. After coming out of the turn I could feel the vehicle suddenly correct itself. Once I arrived at my residence I jacked up the front end of the vehicle to inspect the front wheels. The front passenger wheel seemed normal (was repaired in june 2015 as mentioned above). Much to my dismay when inspecting the front driver side wheel, I discovered that the ball joint on this side is now broke. It is not separated, but is clearly broken as evidenced by the excessive movement and clunking noise when moving the wheel from side to side as it is suspended above the ground from the car being on a jack. I will be having this repaired this week once parts arrive from the local mazda dealer. Bottom line: I no longer feel safe in this vehicle.
I was making a right turn from a parking lot onto a road with my two children in the car when a loud crunch happened, the vehicle jerked left while still moving forward and I was unable to steer or break. The car came to an abrupt stop and I couldn't get the driver's door open. I walked around to the front of the car while in traffic and noticed loose parts that had been ejected from the wheel, leaking break fluid, and the driver's side front wheel was no longer attached and had wedged under the car. The car was unable to be moved out of the road thus creating a traffic jam. The tow truck driver said the control arm was broken and that my girls and I are lucky that we were not seriously injured. The car was towed to the mazda dealer service department 4 days ago and I have not heard from them. Is this something that is covered under tread liability laws? I have photos of the car/wheel that were taken at the scene if needed.
I had been hearing a knocking noise in my car when I went to make left or right hand turns for approximately a week. After having my mechanic investigate he took a look at the ball joints, they are 'non-serviceable,' which means they are a sealed unit. He said from what he could tell they were fine. Later that day I attempted to pull out of a parking space. My wheels were spinning in the snow, I got out and took a look and my front left tire was off! The ball joint was no longer attached the car. The only thing securing the wheel to the car was the tie rod. After having it towed to my garage both lower control arms were replaced on the vehicle (one per side) along with the cv joint. They were replaced with mazda parts. Inspection on the passenger right side revealed there was barely any grease in that ball joint. I had luck on my side that day otherwise I am certain someone would have died.
There have been a multitude of problems on the vehicle (two sets of brakes, tierod, electrical overhaul vacuum hoses...) the major issue has been oil leaking. This past summer (2011) there was an oil leak. The dealer had the car for several days before diagnosing that it was the rear main seal. The seal was replaced (car was at dealer for nearly two weeks.) this fall (2011) oil was still leaking. After several days the dealer contacted mazda corporate and they suggested replacing the transmission, claiming it was not uncommon. The dealer replaced the transmission. Winter/spring 2012 oil still leaking, car is currently at the dealer - claiming it is the rear main seal. Again? Wouldn't that have been replaced with the new transmission?
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mazda cx9. The contact was driving approximately 15 MPH when the steering wheel became extremely stiff. The contact was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and was involved in a crash with another vehicle. The driver was injured. A police report was available. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility where repairs were made to the body damage. Prior to the crash, the contact was advised by an authorized dealer that the vehicle exhibited a power steering fluid leak. The dealer was unable to make repairs because the parts needed were not readily available and on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 33,000 and the current mileage was unknown.
From day 1 the car has been road-crazy...you have to continually correct to left and right...dealership says from "crown in the road"....have had it re-aligned numerous times..has 25k now and front tires are nearly worn out...has 20" wheels (which they no longer offer as option).
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 mazda cx9. After driving 200 miles the contact noticed that the contact steering wheel began to malfunction. While driving approximately 22 MPH, the steering wheel moved to the left 80% of the time without him touching it. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and after inspecting in, the dealer stated that they were unable to repair it. The contact drove a 2009 model and stated that the vehicle had the identical steering failure. The vehicle was not been repaired when the complaint was filed. The manufacturer has not been informed of this failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 70 and the current mileage was 17,000.
2007, 2008 & 2009 mazda cx9 has steering problems. When you don't hold it tightly, the car will veer to the left 80% of the time and 20% to the right. The car will not go straight at any speeds and on even pavements such as a car park.
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