2012 Mazda CX-9: engine failure

7 of the 221 complaints about the 2012 Mazda CX-9 describe engine failure.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 99,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 37 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine failure by model year

2023
1
2021
3
2019
12
2018
16
2017
17
2016
12
2015
8
2014
8
2013
6
2012
7
2011
4
2010
7
2009
2
2008
1

What owners say

Filed Sep 29, 2020 · Engine · 99,000 miles · CO

My wife was driving down a city street when the car completely shut down and lost all power. Luckily, she was able to stop without causing an accident. We had car towed to an independent mechanic. After inspection we were told the water pump had failed causing coolant to leak into the engine and caused complete engine failure. We were quoted $8k-$10k to replace the engine. The 2012 mazda cx-9 only had 99k miles, but unfortunately our extended warranty expired a few years ago, so mazda was of no help. We were left to junk our car for a fraction of what it's value should have been. Apparently this is a known issue and we will be joining the current class action lawsuit against mazda.

Filed Jul 1, 2020 · Engine · 170,000 miles · TX

In oct. 2019 my cx9 stopped while being driven. Found out the water pump (which is inside the engine) had gone out and destroyed my engine. This is a known problem of which mazda has failed to make their consumers aware. I purchased this care new and all of my services had been handled by mazda. No-one told me about this problem and I still had to pay just over 4k to get a new engine of the same stupid design put in my car. This is very dangerous problem. How many mazda drivers have been injured or killed in crashes because the water pump destroyed the engine on a freeway and the car ceasing to move was the cause of an accident that totaled the car and as a result went undetected? The engines need to be recalled.

Filed Jun 23, 2020 · Transmission · 92,205 miles · RI

11/1/2016- at 92,205 miles vehicle shuddered when I stepped on accelerator. I was told it was transmission related. On my way to mechanic vehicle completely seized; had to have it towed to transmission shop. Angle gear had to be replaced because transfer case oil burned off because catalytic converter is placed too close and it cooks lubricant. I was told this is a known problem with mazda cx9's. Cost 1,400. Mazda was unwilling to cover repairs at all. 6/22/2020 - 130,000 miles same shuddering happened when stepped on accelerator and same issue. Called mazda and same response 'not our problem, it's out of warranty'.

Filed Oct 8, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 72,000 miles · MA

Driving on rte 3 n in braintree. Car was decelerating while I had my foot on gas. Lost steering and barely made it to brake down lane. This car has 72k miles on it. Needs new engine.

Filed Aug 15, 2018 · Engine · 180,000 miles · KY

Fuel pump failure causing engine failure and to die in motion on a rural highway. Vehicle had to be pushed off the road.

Filed Jan 13, 2018 · Engine · 126,100 miles · DE

While driving my vehicle on the highway my car would not accelerate when I pressed on the gas. My RPM's went up to 4 and would drop down when I let off the gas. Within minutes my steering wheel locked up and the car basically shut down. I had to try and drift to the shoulder in high speed traffic. When I got to the shoulder the car started smoking. I had the car towed to mazda dealership. They told me my water pump went and leaked fluid throughout the engine, resulting in me needing a new $8,000 engine. They told me that mazda designed the cx9 where the water pump is in the engine block behind the timing belt and it is not something they can easily inspect when I bring my car in for service. So when a water pump goes on these mazda cx-9's it results in the consumer needing a whole new engine. They also stated that there are no indicators that will notify you if there is a problem with the water pump to avoid this from happening. The safety issue is that my car was on the highway at the time this occurred with vehicles going at high speeds. My car basically slowed down significantly and eventually stopped and I could not turn the steering wheel to better assist me getting out of the way of the high speed traffic.

Filed Jan 21, 2014 · Transmission · 13,670 miles · IL

As I was driving home, the vehicle began to slow down and soon came to a complete stop, even as I continued to press the accelerator pedal, all as the engine continued to run. At the same time, I noticed a burning oil odor. This sudden deceleration and stop occurred in the middle lane of a major chicago-area toll road on a cold and rainy friday evening. A police officer who arrived at the scene was unable to push my car out of danger with his car. Fortunately, the car was towed away to a mazda dealer before an accident occurred. The dealership technician confirmed the problem and found that the transfer case had overheated, lost all its fluid, and seized. The transfer case was replaced under warranty. The failure of the transfer case and subsequent sudden deceleration put me in grave danger, and such a failure is unforgivable for such a new vehicle. I feel that had the traffic on the evening of the incident not been as heavy, and thus slow as it was, I very well may have been rear-ended by another motorist. I urge the federal safety agency to closely track any other incidents concerning seized transfer cases in mazda cx-9s--this is potentially a very dangerous defect.