MYRModel Year Report

2008 Mazda CX-9

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2008 Mazda CX-9
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:40:29.704Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
172
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

33% of complaints

Complaints per year

2007: 67 complaints 2008: 172 complaints 2008 172 2009: 59 complaints 2010: 162 complaints 2010 2011: 170 complaints 2012: 221 complaints 2013: 68 complaints 2013 2014: 54 complaints 2015: 35 complaints 2016: 107 complaints 2016 2017: 61 complaints 2018: 128 complaints 2019: 53 complaints 2019 2020: 19 complaints 2021: 39 complaints 2022: 11 complaints 2022 2023: 13 complaints
2007: 67 complaints 2007 2008: 172 complaints 2008 172 2009: 59 complaints 2009 2010: 162 complaints 2011: 170 complaints 2011 2012: 221 complaints 2013: 68 complaints 2013 2014: 54 complaints 2015: 35 complaints 2015 2016: 107 complaints 2017: 61 complaints 2017 2018: 128 complaints 2019: 53 complaints 2019 2020: 19 complaints 2021: 39 complaints 2021 2022: 11 complaints 2023: 13 complaints 2023
2007: 67 complaints 2007 2008: 172 complaints 2008 172 2009: 59 complaints 2009 2010: 162 complaints 2010 2011: 170 complaints 2011 2012: 221 complaints 2012 2013: 68 complaints 2013 2014: 54 complaints 2014 2015: 35 complaints 2015 2016: 107 complaints 2016 2017: 61 complaints 2017 2018: 128 complaints 2018 2019: 53 complaints 2019 2020: 19 complaints 2020 2021: 39 complaints 2021 2022: 11 complaints 2022 2023: 13 complaints 2023

2008: 172 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
200767
2008172
200959
2010162
2011170
2012221
201368
201454
201535
2016107
201761
2018128
201953
202019
202139
202211
202313

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

33% · 56 reports

Most commonly citing lower ball joint.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Lost control brakes failing and steering and wheel lc about to fall off dealerships saying recall was completed but it's definitely not

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-03-11

Also filed under Steering

Once you get to 70mph it starts shaking like if a the wheels will fall off.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-11

Also filed under Power train and steering

Service brakes

18% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

O was operating the vehicle and the brakes became spongy and failed to stop the vehicle unless I increased the effort to depress the brake pedal down. Foot has slipped on occasion causing my ankle to be struck on the pedal.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-07-16

Air bags

16% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My vehicle was involved in a front end crash that hit another vehicle on the front passenger side. My sustained enough front end damage to knock the engine off one of its motor mounts and was a total loss but the air bags never deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2009-12-29

Power train

16% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

Steering

11% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mazda CX9. The contact was driving approximately 15 MPH when the steering wheel became extremely stiff. The contact was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and was involved in a crash with another vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-08-19

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2008Complaint volume 172 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2009-03-16Electrical system09V066000 Mazda is recalling 30,600 my 2007-2009 CX9 vehicles equipped with power adjustable seat with position memory function. The seat harness routed underneath the seat cushion may interfere with the…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat harness and fasten the seat frame with a cable tie. The harness covering will be repair free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before March 16, 2009.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2009-04-17Equipment09E011000 Thule, inc. Is recalling 2,323 owner-installed roof-mounted fit kits, models 3068 and 3069, manufactured between January 1, 2008 and February 28, 2009 that are used with thule podium foot packs…

    Remedy: Thule will mail a retro fit kit along with repair instructions to owners free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before April 13, 2009. Owners may contact thule toll-free at…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2011-08-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 2012-04-09 Brake master cylinder leak
  5. I
    2015-06-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-08-20 Lower ball joint separation
  6. R
    2015-09-14Suspension15V451000 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 CX-9 vehicles manufactured October 24, 2006, to December 28, 2013.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2017-08-30Air bags17V429000 Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2017-10-04Air bags17V457000 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,...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2019-12-03Air bags19V782000 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Mazda CX-9 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 56 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 28 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 09V066000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 09E011000 · Equipment
  • Recall 15V451000 · Suspension
  • Recall 17V429000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V457000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V782000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Mazda CX-9 is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mazda CX-9?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda CX-9 have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.