Mazda CX-9 won't shift problems

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CA

2021 Mazda CX-9 (VIN: JM3TCBDY3M0538768 / 72,400 mi) Vehicle has suffered complete, sudden loss of motive power at high freeway speeds on four separate occasions. Without warning, the engine loses all propulsion, essentially stalling mid-traffic and forcing me to dangerously coast across active freeway lanes to the shoulder. This creates an extreme risk of a high-speed rear-end collision. No crash or injuries have occurred yet, but the car is entirely unsafe to drive. The authorized Mazda dealership has been completely unable to diagnose or fix this intermittent failure. Due to the persistent danger, the vehicle is currently at the shop with the same problem, where it has been since Oct 8, 2026. This is not an isolated issue. As you will see from the pictures, there are several dates where the same situation has occurred in the vehicle goes into limp mode. Mazda corporate has been contacted case 00503976. I am requesting a buyback. I request an urgent the federal safety agency investigation into 2021 CX-9 power loss defects for a potential recall.

Filed Sep 30, 2025 · Engine · FL

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? ANSWER: Engine failure due to overheating. 2. safety & indicators: ANSWER: During evening rush hour traffic on a 3 lane highway my car went into a form of engine power saving mode while i had children in the vehicle; this was almost catastrophic form my family and the other vehicles around me. there was NO warning. there were no previous issues with my vehicle, this was unexpected. 3. technician review: this is a known issue with no warning: The technician inspected your vehicle and found a concerning issue with the engine overheating. They scanned the vehicle and found a trouble code P111A, indicating the engine coolant reached a temperature of 251.6 degrees Fahrenheit, forcing the engine into limp mode. Based on their experience, the technician believes the engine likely reached much higher temperatures, potentially causing internal damage to the engine block. After a thorough inspection, they found no external coolant leaks, but upon using a digital borescope, they discovered evidence of coolant entering and being burned off in Cylinder 3. Given the severity of the issue, the technician recommends replacing the entire engine to ensure the long-term reliability and extended life of your vehicle. Services completed: - Scanned vehicle and found trouble code P111A - Inspected engine and found no external coolant leaks - Used digital borescope to inspect cylinders and found coolant entering Cylinder 3 Recommendations: - Replace the entire engine

Filed Nov 29, 2024 · Driver assistance · PA

On [XXX], [XXX], [XXX] I was driving on an interstate highway with a 65 mph speed limit with no warning and received the following codes which slowed the vehicle to the limp mode. 1) Smart Brake Support and Forward Obstruction Warning 2) Activsense system malfunction 3) Front Radar Sensor Malfunction 4) Engine Malfunction 5) Dynamic Stability Control Malfunction I reported all three incidents to the dealer and no codes were left and the dealership had no solution for the problem. They suggested dirt, sunlight, or blowing debris caused it, but that was not the case. Luckily the first two incidents happened with little or no traffic around but the third was during rush hour and almost caused a major accident trying to get off the highway. I shut the car off, restarted and the problem resolved no lights left on or warnings appearing all three times. Contacted Mazda several times and all representatives at the dealership and California Headquarters claim no knowledge of this happening. I found a few others reporting the same issue and wanted to report this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 27, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · FL

August 2nd I noticed a smell of Coolant coming from my car. I looked under my car and noticed it leaking green coolant. I took it to Mazda where they had it for 7 days to then give me a $6,300 estimate with possible added expenses. They diagnosed it as a cracked cylinder head and needs a gasket as well. I am a single mother and have work but I cannot afford that repair especially since Mazda is not going to honor there vehicle and what they stand by. With this issue with the coolant leak and the cracked cylinder the vehicle could have overheated and go into limp mode and come to a sudden stop with my children in the car while driving on the road. I could be hit as this puts my family at risk of injury while we go to school or work. Mazda has done nothing but tell me to submit a claim with customer service which I have. I had my case manager call me once and left a voicemail and I have called multiple times and have not heard back. There was no warning of this until I found forums and other stories that this unfortunately has happened to hundreds of Mazda owners.

Filed Jun 4, 2024 · Engine · SC

2016 Mazda CX-9 is leaking coolant from exhaust side of engine cylinder head. This issue has been confirmed by a Mazda dealership in North Charleston, South Carolina. The issue first appeared shortly after replacing the water pump (performed by the same dealership). The issue is known and documents on Mazda TSB 01-002/23 - COOLANT LEAKS AT CYLINDER HEAD. The safety of my family was put at risk as there was no indication of a cracked head until there was coolant leaking on the driveway. Should the car have overheated without the indication of a coolant leak, the car would have been placed in to limp mode. Prior to the leak, there were no warning lamps or messages indicating the issue. Further, the Mazda dealership did not detect the issue at the time of replacing the water pump.

Filed Aug 14, 2023 · Engine · IL

Some vehicles may have coolant leaks at the cylinder head around the exhaust manifold. There may be cracks at the stud bolt hole or at the outside of the exhaust manifold - from Mazda's TSB. Excessive coolant leak leading to engine-overheating and going into 'limp mode' couldn't drive faster than around 30 mph. Mazda has repeatedly declined help with goodwill requests and any further assistance. ref. https: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 9, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · TX

I had engine failure with a complete loss of power and a shuttering of the steering wheel while pulling into a parking lot and going less than 30 miles per hour. The temperature gauze went from cold to hot suddenly. There were no leaks of coolant or oil and no signs that the engine was out of water or that the water pump had "melted". On the final car repair trip we found out that the engine has an internal water pump that failed and resulted in oil & water getting into the engine. The engine light NEVER came on, I had complained about the tire pressure light blinking on and off in November 2021 and the deceleration issue I was having. The dealer did a coolant flush 11/2021. In early March 2022 the engine shut off as I was backing out of the driveway. I took it to a repair shop nearby they could not find anything wrong except that the car went into limp mode. They also did a coolant flush and radiator cap exchange since I forgot I had just done one on Nov. Less that a week later the engine failed again. We towed the car to the dealer for the third trip in less than four months. I am really disappointed that Mazda failed to recall the engine. I could have been seriously hurt if I had been traveling at high speeds. The CX9 had less than 135,000 miles at 12 years old.

Filed Sep 30, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 17,061 miles · LA

11/16/18 towed for inoperabilty. Stuck fuel injector/ ruined engine. All panel lights came on. Kept car for 57 days. Fuel injector # 1 failed. We were driving onto interstate. While working on car, exhaust stud broke off into turbo charger housing. Drilled out and rethreaded took back to mazda dealer to c/o about swooshing noise in r dash said they did not hear. This occurring with acceleration 2/7/19 while driving out of state on interstate , swooshing noise r dash lost acceleration while passing. St peters , mo dealership had to put back on the turbo hose & clamp 5/6/19 back home and again heard the swoosh noise on acceleration. Dealership replaced gasket to turbo charger / air leak with smoke test 9/14/19 again became inoperative while driving out of state immediately after passing large truck, lost acceleration with pedal to carpet. Was told in limp mode smelled something in car compartment. Stuck on narrow county road. Limped to turn off. On inspection by tow truck person, stated was pouring gasoline from front of car. 'this could have caught fire due to 90+ degree temp in tex. Fuel injector # 4 exploded mechanic on inspection told serv mgr this car was put back together in a shoddy manner. The hose to fuel injector had previously been routed wrong when engine replaced. Now waiting on malfunction of fuel injector 2&3. Scared to drive car. C/o to mazda customer rep. His response well u have warranty until 4/2024. That is b/c we took extended warranty. Hollingsworth mazda in baton rouge, la closed reason unknown. *tr consumer stated error to vehicle speed instead of 10-15 MPH.

Filed Oct 5, 2016 · Engine, Steering · 75,000 miles · CO

After recently receiving our vehicle back from a mazda dealer for warranty repairs on the ptu and control arms, we were driving down the highway at 65 MPH - initially going up a hill in the mountains. The car would not shift gears (an automatic) and then would not accelerate past 30 MPH. No dummy lights lit whatsoever. We got to the top of the hill and having no place to pull off on the highway mountain shoulder, stayed in the lane of traffic with our hazards on. The down side of the hill was a 6% grade with a cliff on the other side of the guard rails. All of a sudden - the power steering went out and the car was hard to steer. There was still no place to pull over on the mountain highway, so we coasted. We then noticed the RPM's were at 0 and all the dummy lights that are on when the car ignition is in accessory were lit up. The car had turned off - while we were going 65 MPH on a 6% grade. No warning - no sounds, smoke, dummy lights - just off. Very amazingly dangerous. We were very lucky to not die a fiery death. My husband was able to keep calm and thankfully the brakes worked - we were able to stop towards the bottom of the hill. We had the car towed as it wouldn't start/stay running. The diagnosis by the dealer (not the dealer who did the prior warranty work) was a failed engine rod. Would have been nice to get a check engine light before having the car completely shut off. We drove the vehicle for less than 100 miles after receiving back from the warranty work and now this.

Filed Dec 13, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 60,000 miles · IL

Vehicle brakes lighting dim while coming to a stop and can not be seen from other vehicles approaching from behind on the road. When not replaced, stop light will run continually or not function, potentially causing premature bulb failure, safety issues and/or the transmission will not shift out of park. A failed stoplight switch will prevent the brake light from illuminating when the brake pedal is applied that may cause a collision and a life lost.