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2009 Mazda CX-9 problems

The most common problem on the 2009 Mazda CX-9 is brakes, typically around 100,900 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical CX-9 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
72/100
Owner complaints
59
Recalls
6
Service bulletins
261
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
17-18mpg

The worst 2009 Mazda CX-9 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    17
  • Airbags
    16
  • Suspension
    6
  • Transmission
    6
  • Engine
    5
  • Tires
    3
  • Lights
    2
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Wheels
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 6

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported October 31, 2019 · 69,879 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 19V782000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 9, 2018 · 70,227 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 18V018000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported July 18, 2017 · 79,402 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 17V457000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported June 29, 2017 · 205,377 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 17V429000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball jointReported July 20, 2015 · 193,484 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 15V451000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dashReported February 23, 2009 · 30,600 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 09V066000 · Recall details

See all 6 recalls for the 2009 Mazda CX-9

Defect investigations

Lower ball joint separationOpened June 9, 2015, closed August 20, 2015

In an July 7,2015 letter to the federal safety agency, 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 (the federal safety agency 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

PE15022

Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Mazda CX-9 261

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 261 bulletins for the 2009 Mazda CX-9

2009 Mazda CX-9 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.7L 6‑cylFWD162218
3.7L 6‑cyl4WD152117

What 2009 Mazda CX-9 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 2, 2026 · Seat belts · 217,400 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2009 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle it was discovered that the locking mechanism for both the 3 row driver side and passenger side seat belts locking mechanisms was not present. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 217,400.

Filed Apr 23, 2024 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2009 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact stated the brake pads and rotors were replaced; however, the abnormal sound persisted. The contact called and informed the dealer of the issue however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V451000 (Suspension) as a possible solution for the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Oct 23, 2022 · Tires · NC

October 2021 purchase 2 Cooper Evolution H/T All-Season 245/60R18. With less than 8k miles, both tires developed deformities/bulging on upper sidewal/tread,line intersect, causing vehicle to shimmy. The dot #'s of both tires are up83 1LE 1021 . Tires have a 60k warranty. Cooper tires issues two safety recalls due to sidewall deformities on this tire model, same plant, but in a different sizes. February 26, 2021 cooper tires has issued yet another safety recall on this exact model tire but in a different size. The 2 cooper evolution HT tires seem to also have sidewall defects. I feel that the bulging tires are a safety hazard due to manufacturing defects. I would like to have my 245/60r18 cooper evolution as well as all of the other sizes of this model tire made by cooper, futher reviewed to the recall list

Filed Sep 21, 2021 · Engine · 120,000 miles · NM

The contact owns a 2009 Mazda CX9. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the hot engine temperature warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and added coolant to the reservoir and waited for the engine to cool down. The warning light remained illuminated. The contact was concerned that the failure was related to the water pump on the vehicle not working as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Feb 10, 2021 · Tires · NC

While driving under normal, dry conditions on highway 540 in north carolina, my right rear copper cs5 ultra touring tire catastrophically failed and separated the tread completely from the sidewall of the tire on my 2009 mazda cx-9.

Filed Aug 14, 2020 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · OH

While pulling a small trailer the car stopped unable to drive the car according to the mechanic the transfer case shattered into pieces

Filed Jul 11, 2020 · Brakes · 115,000 miles · TX

My brakes started feeling spongy but hard to push when I would try to come to a stop. It felt at times like my car wasn't going to stop. I stopped driving it and the brake booster was replaced. At that time, I lost brakes completely. The brake peddle goes all the way to the floor when pressed. Hopefully the booster is a bad one.

Filed Mar 16, 2020 · Brakes · 135,000 miles · KY

I have a problem with the brake light switch. It works for awhile and then stops working. When I press the brake pedal the brake light may or my not come on and that is while sitting still or while the car is moving. I have replaced the switch several times.

Filed Feb 17, 2020 · Brakes · 142,000 miles · GA

I was taking my daughter to high school in the morning with my son in the car as well. In the parking lot of the high school, I applied the brakes but the brakes did not work. My foot was all the way to the floor when they finally caught but I was out in the line of traffic and luckily no one hit me and injured my son or myself. After replacing the rotors and brake pads that did not fix the situation, I have since learned that the brake booster has been an ongoing issue with mazda cx-9 that was even investigated by the federal safety agency without having a recall. How does something so critical in the safety of lives does not generate a recall that the federal safety agency has seen repeated complaints of the same issue without advising or caring about the safety of the consumers and other drivers. It is an ongoing issue that mazda has not addressed or corrected.

Filed Jan 22, 2020 · Engine · 147,000 miles · MA

Oil and coolant mixed together and cause engine to die with a service code of p0016 which means per the dealer that the engine needs to be replaced. I bought this car brand new and had it service by mazda dealership consistently. This is common issue and mazda manufacturer should be cover this issue for customers.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2009 Mazda CX-9 before you buy

Compare the 2009 Mazda CX-9

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Other model years

20072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023

Questions about the 2009 Mazda CX-9

Is the 2009 Mazda CX-9 reliable?

Owners have filed 59 complaints about the 2009 Mazda CX-9, close to a typical CX-9 model year.

What is the 2009 Mazda CX-9 year score?

The 2009 Mazda CX-9 scores 72 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mazda CX-9: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Mazda CX-9?

Brakes, with 17 complaints, typically around 100,900 miles. Next is airbags (16).

How many recalls does the 2009 Mazda CX-9 have?

6 recalls, covering air bags, suspension and electrical system.

What year does the Mazda CX-9 have bad brakes?

The Mazda CX-9 model years with the most brakes complaints are 2012 (143 complaints), 2011 (99 complaints) and 2010 (91 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2009 Mazda CX-9 get?

Official estimates for the 2009 Mazda CX-9 range from 17 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.7L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16 city and 22 highway.

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