Structural bolt (p#: 9-YA01-1401-A) connecting the lower control arm assembly to subframe has rusted apart. The head of the bolt was found in my driveway, otherwise there would be no indication of this potentially catastrophic failure. Vehicle is only 3 years old, was a cpo purchase, and has just 55k miles. Underbody is clean of rust. This is 100% a defect. This is a safety issue. Old bolt will need to be extracted and replaced. Not confident in other bolts so will need to at least inspect those. Hopefully, I can update this will the repair estimate from manufacturer.
Mazda CX-9 ball joint problems
97 of the 1,496 owner complaints about the Mazda CX-9 describe ball joint or control arm failure, most of them for the 2008 model year.
- owner complaints
- 97
- worst model year
- 2008
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,756
- typical mileage
- 102,112
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Jerking 6Power steering loss 3Harsh shifting 3Knocking 2Check engine light 2Grinding brakes 2Won't start 1
What owners say
The front driver-side lower ball joint suffered a catastrophic structural failure and sheared completely apart while moving. This vehicle was previously serviced under Safety Recall Campaign 15V451000 / Mazda Recall 8515G for this exact defect. The recall remedy part failed a second time, collapsing the front wheel assembly, ripping the CV axle completely out of the transmission casing, causing a hazardous transmission fluid spill, and leaving the vehicle stranded and immobilized in the middle of a live roadway in the dark
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.
I am reporting a serious safety issue involving a defective suspension part (lower control arm) manufactured by Dorman and purchased from an online auto parts retailer. On October 7, 2024, I ordered a Dorman lower control arm for my vehicle and had it professionally installed on November 7, 2024 at Johnston and Magwood Wheels & Tires. On November 8, 2024, at approximately 5:40 p.m., while I was driving and made a hard brake, I suddenly lost steering control and my front left wheel collapsed. Fortunately, I was the only one in the car and managed to avoid an accident. My vehicle had to be towed to a nearby shop (Kal Tire) and was later sent back to the original shop for further inspection. On November 12, technicians confirmed that the newly installed lower control arm had failed, which caused serious damage to the suspension. I paid $1,774.10 in repairs in order to make the car safe to drive again. This is extremely dangerous — if I had been driving on a highway or with passengers, it could have resulted in a major accident or injuries. When I contacted the retailer about the warranty, they only offered to refund the part itself and refused to take responsibility for the damages caused by this defective product. I believe this part should be investigated for safety defects. When I searched online, I noticed Dorman has had similar recalls on control arms, which makes me even more concerned. I am reporting this incident to the federal safety agency in hopes that you will look into this part to protect public safety.
The contact owns a 2011 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the contact lost control of the vehicle, and the front driver's side suspension lowered to the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the subframe was severely rusted, causing the control arm to detach. The contact was informed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was drifting to either side. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had to forcefully grip the steering wheel to avoid losing control of vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was discovered that there was severe corrosion around the front suspension ball joints. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V451000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Driver side Lower control arm fail off from the ball joint
Ball joints replaced due to tear in both rubber covers and driver side ball joint very loose. Was previously repaired in July 2015 under recall Number: 15V451000.
The contact owns a 2012 Mazda CX9. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been involved in a crash due to a fractured passenger's side lower control arm. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle had been repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V451000 (Suspension). The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. An independent mechanic replaced the passenger's side lower control arm; however, the contact stated that after the repair was performed, the engine rattled and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was then taken back to the independent mechanic, who determined that the driver's side lower control arm spacers were missing and that the front and rear axles, brakes, and rear shocks needed to be replaced. Additionally, the cage bolts needed to be retightened. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
In 2017 had my front control arms replaced after the driver side CV arm came off of the axle due to a recall. 5 years later (about 30k miles) the same exact situation happened now with the passenger side making a left turn. Thankfully both times I didn’t cause an accident but came close due to the wheel coming off of the axle. Brought to dealership, they had to get approval from corporate for the repair. Got a call 6 days later saying corporate denied the goodwill repair due to being “normal wear and tear” and they told me to call corporate. Just called corporate and they say that the dealership makes that decision. I shouldn’t have to pay for something that was recalled, repaired, and happened again 100% in the same fashion. Normal wear and tear on a CV arm is not 20-30k miles.
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- 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
Questions about the Mazda CX-9 ball joint
Which Mazda CX-9 years have ball joint or control arm failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2008 (38 complaints), 2007 (25 complaints) and 2011 (7 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix ball joint or control arm failure on the Mazda CX-9?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,756 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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