2013 Mazda CX-9: check engine light

Filed Mar 5, 2026 · Engine, Suspension · 188,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2013 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the lower control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact had not received documentation of the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was repaired under an undisclosed recall. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.

Filed Mar 9, 2023 · Engine · NE

The engine in my Mazda blew with no warning. I got in my car after warming it up and noticed my check engine light on, which wasn’t unusual because it has came on before with a loose gas gap warning, so I put it in gear and drove less than 50 ft before it started making noises. I immediately turned around and came straight home and turned the car off. It started up and all but wouldn’t hold power. I got multiple opinions and no one could tell me why it my engine gave out with no warning. It was current with oil changes and all. I did purchase it used from Beardmore and didn’t have it for a full 2years.

Filed Jul 14, 2022 · Engine · NC

Car began shuddering/shaking and check engine light went on. Booked appointment at Mazda dealer. Upon inspection they found a significant amount of coolant had leaked into engine and timing was jumping. Was advised it should not be driven as the engine could freeze at any moment without warning. The technician provided a video inspection of car showing large amount of coolant inside car's engine. An oil change had been performed less then 2 months earlier (5/19/2022) and no issues were noted.

Filed May 29, 2022 · Engine · NC

I was sitting in the car rider line and my engine started making this loud noise. I looked down at the temperature gage and it started over heating. I went to go pull it over and I noticed that the check engine light came on that's when I was turning in the parking place the engine stalled and i turned the car off. I took it to a local shop and he told me that I need a new engine, because apparently whoever made the car decided it was a grand idea to put the water pump in with the engine. A engine cost about $4,000. Because the water pump is in with the engine it costs about the same as replacing the engine. Thank god I was driving down the main road whenever it happened because me and my daughter could have gotten hurt. Insurance won't pay for it. I don't know how I am going to pay for it.

Filed Feb 10, 2022 · Engine · PA

Headed out to the store and engine was running rough and CEL was on. Thought it was bad gas because I just put a few dollars in. Added gas treatment and topped off tank and continued to store. Stopped at Advanced Auto near the grocery store so they could pull the code. It was a P0016 - cam position sensor. If that was bad it would explain rough idle. Leaving to come home engine was a bit rougher and realized there was no heat blowing. Only 4 miles from home so kept driving figuring thermostat was broke but was concerned 2 things bad at once. About a mile up the street complete loss of engine power, power everything was on. Had no power steering or brakes. Managed to coast into a parking lot. Shut off engine, and waited. Restarted engine, notice temp gauge starting to go higher - pulled back onto street but again lost power steering and brakes. Managed to pull into parking log of auto repair shop and left vehicle there. Contacted Mazda next day - they agreed it was mostly the water pump failure and could possible fix it. Arranged for tow later in the week. Mazda inspected and said they could not repair. Needs new engine $5000-6000.

Filed Mar 17, 2021 · Engine · 88,000 miles · MA

The power steering and power breaking suddenly failed while traveling at about 40mph. The check engine light had gone on a few minutes before the car had this incident. With considerable force on the brake I was able to get the car to the side of the road. It was towed to a garage where they told me a 'water line had broke resulting in the engine becoming suddenly filled with coolant'.

Filed Dec 17, 2020 · Engine · 97,000 miles · NJ

The radiator failed internally with no warning, no leaks no engine light nothing, mixing antifreeze into the oil and destroying the engine. My machine informed me that there was no way of me knowing this was happening and its faulty the way they make the radiator it causes this to happen. Now my radiator is bad and my engine. I was driving and suddenly a noise started then power went and pulled over and wouldn't start again. No warning nothing. No leaks no engine light prior.

Filed Mar 18, 2020 · Engine · 124,195 miles · CT

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.