Mazda CX-9 jerking problems

Filed Jun 18, 2026 · Engine · VA

My 2019 Mazda CX-9 (VIN [XXX]) suffered catastrophic cylinder head failure on the SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine at approximately 124,000 miles. The failure is consistent with Mazda TSB 01-013/21 (and successors 01-007/22, 01-010/24), in which Mazda acknowledged that cylinder heads on this engine can crack at the stud bolt hole and exhaust manifold flange due to manifold deformation and residual production stress. The first warning came in mid-May 2026, when the engine temperature warning illuminated during normal driving. An independent mechanic replaced the thermostat. The warning returned within a week, and the thermostat was replaced a second time with a higher-quality part. Four to five days later, the warning returned alongside more severe symptoms: the vehicle began jerking while in motion, a strong coolant-burning smell developed, and smoke was visible from the exhaust pipe upon shutdown. The vehicle became undriveable, had to be left at the failure location, and was towed. Safety risk: The jerking compromised vehicle control in traffic. Upon shutdown, smoke and burning coolant odor created fire and fume-exposure risks. Had this failure occurred at highway speeds or in heavy traffic, the sudden loss of engine power and erratic behavior could have caused a serious collision. Family members were in the vehicle during several escalating events. Confirmation: The vehicle was towed to an authorized Mazda dealership, where Mazda-certified technicians confirmed in writing that it is exhibiting the exact defect described in TSB 01-013/21 and that complete engine replacement is required. The diagnosis is formally documented and has been communicated to Mazda's warranty team. Mazda Customer Experience has been engaged since mid-May 2026 and acknowledged the issue. The vehicle is currently at the dealership and available for inspection upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 1, 2025 · Acceleration, Airbags · 173,000 miles · NY · crash

The contact owns a 2011 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle at a slow speed in the driveway, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration, lurched forward, and crashed into a tree before coming to a stop. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle during the sudden unintended acceleration. During the failure the vehicle sustained front end damages, but no air bags had deployed. No injuries were reported. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that twice in the day before the unintended acceleration, the vehicle jerked forward in traffic however, the contact attributed the issue to the brake pedal not being firmly depressed or the clutch not properly engaged while shifting gear. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 173,000.

Filed Aug 30, 2024 · Engine · AZ

My 2017 Mazda Cx9 was stalling and jerking while driving almost causing an accident but glad I was able to drive it home without causing an accident. Took the car to the dealership and was advised that it needs a new engine due to coolant leak. The coolant was going inside the vehicle.

Filed Oct 16, 2023 · Driver assistance, Transmission · FL · crash · 1 injury

I was in a parking lot and came to a stop and placed the car in reverse to back into a parking space. The back-up camera was on and I began to back into the parking space when the car suddenly lurched/jerked forward and accelerated on its own. The car jumped the parking lot median strip and I hit a tree head on. I had my seatbelt on and the airbag deployed. The car then reversed back off the median into the parking lot. I turned off the car. Insurance company will have it inspected. The vehicle is a total loss. I was injured with a large lower abdomen hematoma and airbag burns on arms, wrists, and chest as well as various bruising. I was fortunate to have not hit pedestrians who were walking in the lot or other vehicles that were parked in the lot. There were no warning lights, messages, sounds. The brake assist did not engage. It was frightening.

Filed Sep 26, 2023 · Engine · PA

Driving kids to school a few months ago. Car started to smell like burning rubber. I thought it was the garbage truck ahead of us. As we turned the corner 2 blocks later, the car dead stopped and we all went flying forward. It jerked so hard, we are lucky our necks didn't snap. I put the car in park and turned it off. I waited a few minutes as I was too worked up, and started the car again. We got about 50ft before a very loud noise began, almost as if something was dragging underneath. I stopped, and had it towed home. I then had it towed to mechanic. They said bad TRANSFER CASE & DRIVE SHAFT. - TRANS PAN GASKET. I am a single mom with no money to afford to have it fixed in fear of it going bad again. They quoted me 3,500 here in PA.

Filed Oct 6, 2022 · Engine, Steering · CA

the cars engine makes loud rattling noise and slips gear. the vecicle jerks hard and feels as if transmission is slipping. car hesitates when i shift into gear, followed by a jerking and jolting into gear. my brakes are replaced frequently. mazda at 65643 miles on car found excess operating noise coming from engine coolant/water pump due to internal bearing failing. they replaced the water pump. software (pyd8-18881-f) replaced. the vehicle has 74000 miles and has same problem. when stopped at a traffic signal it lunges forward at times. and shifts slow to fast gears. this problem is not resolved. the first time it was allegidely fixed was 22Dec2021 it is now 05Oct 2022

Filed Mar 19, 2021 · Brakes · 39,000 miles · IL · crash

Emergency parking brake ('epb') began to malfunction following recall to fix electrical components on mazda cx-9, 2018. Epb will not release, or will unexpectedly and suddenly release with car accelerating in gear ('drive' or 'reverse'). Most recently when activating the emergency parking brake ((car was on a a roadway incline) the brake would not release, after 2 hours of being stranded and of attempting to get the brake to release, ( including rocking/shifting/alternating gears/braking/seat belt on/seat belt off/ manual brake on/off and following all manual procedures repetitively) a cell phone call to the mazda service manager who suggested rocking the car back and forth between gears ) the emergency parking brake suddenly and unexpectedly 'released', sending the car lurching forward and requiring driver to slam on brakes to avoid driving over a cliff). Vehicle epb inspection requested, mazda service manager stated the epb is, 'no longer necessary for vehicle safety', blamed the malfunction on 'bread crumbs' , offered to replace a defective console switch (presumably with another new, but also defective, switch) but refused to inspect the mechanical/operational aspects of the automatic emergency parking brake system (for abnormal rust, water leaks, defective cables, defective electrical wiring, etc.). Mazda uses the same manufacturer of epb for all mazda cx series vehicles. Federal nhsa recalls for epb malfunctions were mandated for all mazda cx series vehicles - except the mazda cx 9. The cx 9 uses the same epb system as do the other mazda cx series models. It stands to reason that the braking issues for other mazda recalls is the same reason why the cx 9 should have recalls to fix the automatic emergency parking brake system. Please issue a recall for mazda cx 9 vehicles to fix the automatic emergency parking brake defect(s). Thank you.

Filed Feb 1, 2021 · Transmission · 14,000 miles · CA

Fuel cap light on in dec 2020. Our car mileage ~14,000 miles . We bought brand new cx9 2020 in august. Dealer inspected it and found nothing wrong. Dealer reprogrammed it. A month later jan 1,2021, fuel cap light is on on again. We ignored it thinking it is another program issue. Car started to jerk and vibrate at stop sign. We brought to dealer the next day. Dealer said charcoal box is leaking. I thought charcoal box should last a life time. They said it is not under warranty: $680 later, the jerking/vibrating issue is fixed. Hopefully that is it since we only have the car for 5 months

Filed Dec 29, 2020 · Transmission · 118,000 miles · MD

While driving the car on a county road, with the speed under 40 MPH, and following the bend in the road to lead to getting on the highway, the car jerked forward as if I hit something. As I continued to drive, the car was making loud clinking sounds and was jerking in motion. No warning lights went on. While attempting to continue to drive, clanging noises could be heard and the car continued to jerk forward. The car was unable to be driven. After having it towed to my mechanic, it was determine the problem was the transfer case. The splines between the transmission and transfer case had been eaten away by rust. The seal had not kept water out as it was designed to do. A new transfer case was ordered as well as a new transmission. The replacement transfer case had shown signs of the same issues with the splines. Another (2nd one) transfer case had to be ordered. I had purchased this car in february 2019 used. The car had a clean title, no accidents and was serviced regularly. Within 1 year, I had to pay out $5,000.00 to replace transfer case and transmission. I lost the use of my car for over 3 weeks (due to the problems with getting a transfer case that was good). When you google this issue, many people have had similar issues.

Filed Jul 17, 2020 · Brakes · 105,000 miles · KY

Brake pedal has become harder than usual to depress and the car does not start stopping until the brake pedal is depressed harder and further down. Also there is a hissing noise once the car stops and the brake pedal goes further to the floorboard. Once stopped and sitting the car will lurch as if it has been hit in the rear end. This all happens on any type of roadway. This has been going on for about two months and getting more pronounced.