NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Mazda CX-9 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2008 Mazda CX-9 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 172 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mazda dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Mazda CX-9, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2008 Mazda CX-9 owner complaints

Owners have filed 172 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mazda CX-9, describing incidents dated November 5, 2007 to June 10, 2024.

Most-cited components

Suspension 55 complaints
Service Brakes 30 complaints
Air Bags 28 complaints
Power Train 27 complaints
Steering 19 complaints
Wheels 16 complaints

Of the 172 complaints on file, 10 report a crash; across all 172 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11593959 · Filed June 12, 2024
While driving the vehicle the brakes became hard to depress and a hissing came from my steering column, the car would not stop or respond to stop. I had to downshift to Neutral to get the speed slow enough to stop - and had passed through an intersection while in failure. I had also had symptoms I…
ODI #11549309 · Filed October 11, 2023
It acting like it doesn’t want to hold air. I have to air up my wheels every morning. It’s only the back wheels.
ODI #11549308 · Filed October 11, 2023
Once you get to 70mph it starts shaking like if a the wheels will fall off.

Read all 172 complaints

Owner-reported

2008 Mazda CX-9 mileage at failure

121 of the 172 complaints on file for the 2008 Mazda CX-9 give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Suspension	Median 110,000 miles	Middle half 80,000–120,000 miles	Based on 39 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Mazda CX-9 in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE15-022: Lower ball joint separation
Closed August 20, 2015
- Recall 15V-451
Preliminary Evaluation PE11-026: Brake master cylinder leak
Closed April 9, 2012

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #19V782000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported October 31, 2019 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 69,879 vehicles

Repair completion: 67.9% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 1317F · Owners notified December 3, 2019 · Vehicles built October 25, 2006 – September 27, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a Mazda dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #17V457000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported July 18, 2017 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 79,402 vehicles

Repair completion: 62.3% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 1317F · Owners notified October 4, 2017 · Vehicles built October 27, 2006 – July 27, 2009 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a Mazda dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #17V429000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported June 29, 2017 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 205,377 vehicles

Repair completion: 44.38% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 1317F · Owners notified August 30, 2017 · Vehicles built October 24, 2006 – July 27, 2011 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a Mazda dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Corrosion of Front Suspension Ball Joint

NHTSA #15V451000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Ball Joint · NHTSA notice

Reported July 20, 2015 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 193,484 vehicles

Repair completion: 70.55% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 8515G · Owners notified September 14, 2015 · Vehicles built October 24, 2006 – December 28, 2013 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

AFTERMARKET ROOF MOUNTED LOAD CARRIERS

NHTSA #09E011000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported April 2, 2009 · THULE, INC.

Potentially affected: 2,323 vehicles

Owners notified April 17, 2009

Defect description

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, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.

Safety consequence

THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 1-800-238-2388.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO THULE AFTERMARKET ROOF MOUNTED LOAD CARRIERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

POWER ADJUSTABLE SEAT POSITION MEMORY FUNCTION

NHTSA #09V066000 · Electrical System — Wiring — Interior/Under Dash · NHTSA notice

Reported February 23, 2009 · MAZDA MOTOR CORP

Potentially affected: 30,600 vehicles

Mazda campaign 5309B · Owners notified March 16, 2009 · Vehicles built October 24, 2006 – January 19, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 FRONT COVER BRACKET WHICH IS ATTACHED ON THE FRONT SIDE OF THE SEAT CUSHION. DUE TO THIS THE COVERING OF THE SEAT HARNESS MAY BE DAMAGED, THE CORE WIRE OF THE HARNESS MAY TOUCH WITH THE BRACKET AND RESULT IN SHORT CIRCUIT.

Safety consequence

DRIVERS WILL EXPERIENCE CERTAIN FUNCTIONS THAT ARE UNCONTROLLABLE WHICH WILL CAUSE SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES IN DRIVING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Notes

MAZDA RECALL NO. 5309B.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2008 Mazda CX-9 4-DR.w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

14% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

2 investigations

172 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Mazda CX-9.

Service Brakes

ODI #11593959

Incident: June 10, 2024 · Filed: June 12, 2024

While driving the vehicle the brakes became hard to depress and a hissing came from my steering column, the car would not stop or respond to stop. I had to downshift to Neutral to get the speed slow enough to stop - and had passed through an intersection while in failure. I had also had symptoms I did not know at the time may be related which was at a stop at dunkins or a drive through at a stopped position - where the car would run rough the last few weeks. I thought the rough idle was gas related. I can no longer drive the vehicle and am told this is brake booster/pump issue / that other of the same parts in fords and other manufacturers are now extending customer sat programs like 13N02 because of faulty parts in the brake booster. the vehicle can be towed or seen for this problem. The vehicle has no existing coverage of the faulty brake booster. This is a car insured for my son [XXX][ to drive and It is a safety risk that this went while driving, i'm happy it was myself driving that day. Problem has been confirmed as a brake booster pump/booster failure by a service professional. No warning lights - just not able to stop the car when stepping on the brake. Thanks INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Wheels

ODI #11549309

Incident: October 10, 2023 · Filed: October 11, 2023

It acting like it doesn’t want to hold air. I have to air up my wheels every morning. It’s only the back wheels.

Steering; Suspension; Power Train

ODI #11549308

Incident: October 10, 2023 · Filed: October 11, 2023

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

Suspension

ODI #11488595

Incident: October 1, 2022 · Filed: October 10, 2022

In 2017 had my front control arms replaced after the driver side CV arm came off of the axle due to a recall. 5 years later (about 30k miles) the same exact situation happened now with the passenger side making a left turn. Thankfully both times I didn’t cause an accident but came close due to the wheel coming off of the axle. Brought to dealership, they had to get approval from corporate for the repair. Got a call 6 days later saying corporate denied the goodwill repair due to being “normal wear and tear” and they told me to call corporate. Just called corporate and they say that the dealership makes that decision. I shouldn’t have to pay for something that was recalled, repaired, and happened again 100% in the same fashion. Normal wear and tear on a CV arm is not 20-30k miles.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #11477183

Incident: July 25, 2022 · Filed: August 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, he noticed that the brakes felt loose and the braking distance had become extended while attempting to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that he heard a hissing sound while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the brakes failed completely while attempting to stop for a traffic signal and the vehicle rolled into the intersection. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake booster was malfunctionin,g and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Equipment; Unknown or Other

ODI #11449036

Incident: January 3, 2022 · Filed: January 26, 2022

To whom it concern. Leaking water in my passenger seat, at the beginning we though that was the blower motor, we change it, but then got wet again and it went bad again, but I found out that was a malfunction factory the problem with the air conditioning compressor. I took my car to 3 different shops, where the first two, drained my A/C I give up because I was paying money for nothing. I took the car to Mazda dealer, They told me that my car have a malfunction Factory and was about the a/c system. I talk to Mazda and ask them to replace it, because this was a factory problem. They refuse to do it. I found a recall for Mazda cx5 with the same problem but not my car that is Mazda cx9. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Suspension; Power Train; Engine

ODI #11406364

Incident: March 11, 2021 · Filed: April 4, 2021

KNOCK OR HARD SHIFT IN PARK AS WELL AS IN REVERSE KEEPS BURNING OIL HAD EVERYTHING FLUSHED REPLACED ALL FLUIDS VALVE COVER GASKETS SPARK PLUGS ETC

Electrical System; Service Brakes; Lane Departure

ODI #11406363

Incident: February 27, 2021 · Filed: April 4, 2021

SOMETIMES THE BLIND SIGNAL WORKS SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T SOMETIMES IT BLINKS ON THE SCREEN AND WHEN SWITCHING LANES, BRAKES KEEPS GOING OUT BALL JOINT KEEPS POPPING HARD SHIFT OR KNOCK IN REVERSE AND WHEN PLACED IN PARK HAD REPAIR DONE SEVERAL TIMES. DVD WIRES KEEPS GOING OUT/SHORTAGE M. SOMETIMES SEAT BELT BLINKER WORK AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T

Air Bags

ODI #11402646

Crash 1 injury

Incident: December 27, 2018 · Filed: March 12, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE CONTACT SAW A RACCOON AND VEERED OFF THE ROAD CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HIT A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH EXTREME FORCE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HAVE A MIGRAINE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CHEST CONTUSION AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO A JUNKYARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS RELATING THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V035000 (AIR BAGS). OAK LAWN MAZDA (6750 W 95TH ST, OAK LAWN, IL 60453) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL WAS ALREADY PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE CONTACT OWNING THE VEHICLE AND THAT THEY COULD NOT FURTHER ASSIST. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

Steering; Suspension; Service Brakes

ODI #11400299

Incident: March 3, 2021 · Filed: March 11, 2021

MY CONTROL ARMS BEARINGS AND JOINTS ARE RUSTED AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY AREN'T COVERED THEY WERE FIXED 5 YEARS AGO AND THEY ARE DEFINITELY SEPARATED AND HAZARDOUS

Other Mazda CX-9 model years

Check your 2008 Mazda CX-9 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mazda CX-9 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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