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2007 Mazda CX-9 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Mazda CX-9 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 4 recurring issue clusters, led by “Front lower ball joint failure and wheel detachment.” Mazda's Skyactiv engines use unusually high compression ratios (13:1 to 16:1) and require strict adherence to oil intervals — extending oil life on a Skyactiv engine accelerates carbon buildup on intake valves. Mazda's published Schedule 1 (severe) covers most US driving conditions.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Mazda CX-9.

Reported to NHTSA

Front lower ball joint failure and wheel detachment

SUSPENSION

34 NHTSA complaints · 2014-12 → 2025-06

“ON NOVEMBER 5, 2014 I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN MY MAZDA CX-9. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BROKE FREE FROM THE CAR WHILE I WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY ON AN ON-RAMP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10746510
“OUT OF NOWHERE, THERE WAS A VERY LOUD "POP" SOUND AND YOU COULD FEEL THE CAR SHIFT A LITTLE BIT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AT ALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10730634
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10726168

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition coil and PCM failure with engine misfire

POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2013-03 → 2016-11

“WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT NIGHT. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR IMMEDIATELY DROVE AS IF IT WERE NOT OPERATING ON ALL CYLINDERS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10615507
“TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTS TO STUTTER. PUSH DOWN ON THE GAS AND THERE IS NO POWER. CAR CANNOT GO OVER 40 MPH. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10583135
“BACK IN 2011 (MY MAZDA CX-9 WAS ONLY 4 YO), I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE TURNPIKE AT 65 MPH WHEN MY CAR BEGAN TO STUTTER, IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND IT CAME TO AN IDLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10926083

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power brake booster and master cylinder failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

5 NHTSA complaints · 2011-08 → 2015-05

“BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER FAILED, BRAKE FLUID LEAKING INTO VACUUM SYSTEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10421930
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX9. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL REPEATEDLY WITH FORCE HOWEVER THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10426660
“FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, I'VE BEEN NOTICING A HISSING SOUND COMING FROM MY BRAKES ON MY 2007 MAZDA CX-9. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AT FIRST UNTIL TONIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10595354

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata air bag recall replacement part unavailability

AIR BAGS

15 NHTSA complaints · 2016-08 → 2020-12

“TAKATA RECALL -- I HAVE CHECKED TO HAVE THE NEW AIR BAG ON MY PASSENGER SIDE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT AVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10919385
“TAKATA RECALL, THIS RECALL HAS NO FIX YET. IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME. I CAN NOT HAVE ANYBODY SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH IS VERY VERY INCONVENIENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10967926
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V457000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11016526

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2 (highway-only): 7,500 miles. Turbo engines: 5,000 miles regardless of schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles; every 5,000 on AWD models, where the front-biased coupling wears tires unevenly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil change. Front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Skyactiv-G direct injection is sensitive to airflow restriction — inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Replace ATF every 60,000 miles severe / 100,000 normal. Use Mazda FZ ATF — substitutes cause harsh 1-2 shifts and torque converter shudder.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs every 60,000 miles on Skyactiv-G 2.0L and 2.5L; 45,000 miles on the 2.5L Turbo.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

FL-22 Long-Life Coolant

Every 60,000 mi

Mazda FL-22 (yellow): first change at 120,000 miles or 10 years, then every 60,000. Do not substitute — silicate-free formula prevents water pump damage on Skyactiv engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. On most models it sits behind the glove box.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

10 crashes 1990–2024

How the 10 occupant deaths break down

9

driver deaths

1

passenger deaths

10

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2009 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

2

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Mazda CX-9 reflects Mazda's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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