2012 Mazda CX-9
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.
- Complaints
- 221
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 2012
Opened by NHTSA
65% of complaints
Complaints per year
2012: 221 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 67 |
| 2008 | 172 |
| 2009 | 59 |
| 2010 | 162 |
| 2011 | 170 |
| 2012 | 221 |
| 2013 | 68 |
| 2014 | 54 |
| 2015 | 35 |
| 2016 | 107 |
| 2017 | 61 |
| 2018 | 128 |
| 2019 | 53 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2021 | 38 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 13 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
65% · 143 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
The braking system did not function correctly resulting in a crash. Brakes were hard and could not be depressed when a vehicle stopped quickly in front of me.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-13
I had an incident yesterday resulting in a minor collision. My accelerator stuck, my engine kept revving, and I could not stop. I kept applying the brakes but it felt as if everything locked up.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-01-22
Also filed under Engine and vehicle speed control
I was driving normally when I started sowing down and noticed the brakes were harder to push. I finally stopped just before almost rear-ending a vehicle in front of me.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-29
Engine
11% · 25 reportsAir bags
10% · 23 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Takata recall" This is in relation to curtain airbags deploying without warning or impact to the vehicle. There was no accident involved. Traveling down the freeway and the curtain airbags deployed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-01-08
My driver and passenger side curtain airbags randomly deployed without a collision. Thankfully I was at a stop sign when this happened. If it happened while I was driving, Iâm sure I would have wrecked and could possibly be dead. It was loud!
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-02-04
Power train
8% · 18 reportsVehicle speed control
5% · 11 reportsShow complaint excerpts
I was turning right into a parking space with my foot on the brake, when the car suddenly accelerated. The engine revved up and the car darted forward.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-05-10
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2012Complaint volume 221 complaints filed for this model year.
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I
2015-06-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-08-20 Lower ball joint separation
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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.
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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.
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2018-11-09Air bags18V717000 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American...
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 November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4.
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I
2019-05-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 2021-01-15 Inadvertent Curtain Air Bag Deployment
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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.
Buy-smart checklist
2012 Mazda CX-9 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 143 reports on file for this year.
- Engine: 25 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 23 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 15V451000 · Suspension
- Recall 17V457000 · Air bags
- Recall 18V717000 · Air bags
- Recall 19V782000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2012 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Mazda CX-9 is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mazda CX-9?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 65% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2012 Mazda CX-9 have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.