2009 Mazda CX-9 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Mazda CX-9, most often about brakes. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
10
Recalls
5
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
138,500 mi
at time of problem

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners not to drive it until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

  • Brakes is the most-reported problem area, named in 3 of 10 complaints (30%).
  • Engine (2) and wheels & tires (2) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 138,500 mi.
  • The 2009 Mazda CX-9 has 5 recalls on file, including at least one “do not drive” warning.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 16th of 17 Mazda CX-9 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 41% fewer complaints than the 2008 model year (17).

2009 Mazda CX-9 problems by category

  • Brakes
    3 complaints
  • Engine
    2 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    2 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    1 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Service brakes3
Tires2
Power train1
Engine1
Suspension1
Seat belts1
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pump1

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k60k–100k6100k–150k2150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2009 Mazda CX-9 complaints that list mileage.

2009 Mazda CX-9 recalls (5)

  • Recall 19V782000Oct 31, 201969,879 vehiclesDo not drive
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V356 and 17V012.

  • Recall 18V018000Jan 9, 201870,227 vehiclesDo not drive
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2013 Mazda6 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2010 Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 Mazda6, CX-7, and CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

  • Recall 17V457000Jul 18, 201779,402 vehiclesDo not drive
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2012 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2007-2008 CX-7 and CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 17V-012.

  • Recall 17V429000Jun 29, 2017205,377 vehiclesDo not drive
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.

  • Recall 15V451000Jul 20, 2015193,484 vehicles
    SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

    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.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • PE15022Opened Jun 9, 2015Closed Aug 20, 2015led to recall 15V451000

    Lower ball joint separation

    In an July 7,2015 letter to NHTSA, Mazda identified a safety defect that could result in lower ball joint separation in approximately 193,484 model year (MY) 2007 through 2014 Mazda CX-9 vehicles (NHTSA Recall No. 15V-451,Mazda 8515G).Mazda indicated that damage to the ball joint boot may allow water to enter the front suspension ball joint fitting during use which may result in premature ball joint wear and a progressively looser joint.In January 2014, Mazda implemented redesigned lower control arms in production vehicles to improve the durability of the lower ball joints.The redesign involve…

Recent 2009 Mazda CX-9 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jun 2, 2026217,400 miOHSeats & Seat Belts
    The contact owns a 2009 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle it was discovered that the locking mechanism for both the 3 row driver side and passenger side seat belts locking mechanisms was not present. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 217,400.
    NHTSA complaint #11741519 · source
  2. Filed Apr 23, 2024120,000 miKYSuspension
    The contact owns a 2009 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact stated the brake pads and rotors were replaced; however, the abnormal sound persisted. The contact called and informed the dealer of the issue however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V451000 (Suspension) as a possible solution for the…
    NHTSA complaint #11584693 · source
  3. Filed Oct 23, 2022NCWheels & Tires
    October 2021 purchase 2 Cooper Evolution H/T All-Season 245/60R18. With less than 8k miles, both tires developed deformities/bulging on upper sidewal/tread,line intersect, causing vehicle to shimmy. The dot #'s of both tires are up83 1LE 1021 . Tires have a 60k warranty. Cooper tires issues two safety recalls due to sidewall deformities on this tire model, same plant, but in a different sizes. February 26, 2021 cooper tires has issued yet another safety recall on this exact…
    NHTSA complaint #11490468 · source
  4. Filed Sep 21, 2021120,000 miNMEngine
    The contact owns a 2009 Mazda CX9. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the hot engine temperature warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and added coolant to the reservoir and waited for the engine to cool down. The warning light remained illuminated. The contact was concerned that the failure was related to the water pump on the vehicle not working as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of…
    NHTSA complaint #11433885 · source
  5. Filed Feb 10, 2021NCWheels & Tires
    While driving under normal, dry conditions on highway 540 in north carolina, my right rear copper cs5 ultra touring tire catastrophically failed and separated the tread completely from the sidewall of the tire on my 2009 mazda cx-9.
    NHTSA complaint #11395574 · source
  6. Filed Aug 14, 2020150,000 miOHTransmission & Drivetrain
    While pulling a small trailer the car stopped unable to drive the car according to the mechanic the transfer case shattered into pieces
    NHTSA complaint #11349310 · source
  7. Filed Jul 11, 2020115,000 miTXBrakes
    My brakes started feeling spongy but hard to push when i would try to come to a stop. It felt at times like my car wasn't going to stop. I stopped driving it and the brake booster was replaced. At that time, i lost brakes completely. The brake peddle goes all the way to the floor when pressed. Hopefully the booster is a bad one.
    NHTSA complaint #11338789 · source
  8. Filed Mar 16, 2020135,000 miKYBrakes
    I have a problem with the brake light switch. It works for awhile and then stops working. When i press the brake pedal the brake light may or my not come on and that is while sitting still or while the car is moving. I have replaced the switch several times.
    NHTSA complaint #11318192 · source

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Other 2009 Mazda models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology