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2012 Mazda CX-9 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2012 Mazda CX-9 carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering inflator module. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Brake booster failure causing hard pedal, long stops.” 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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4 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #18V717000 · Dec 10, 2018

Issue: 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 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 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 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.

Fix: 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. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #19V782000 · Oct 31, 2019

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #17V457000 · Jul 18, 2017

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Campaign #15V451000 · Jul 20, 2015

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2012 Mazda CX-9.

Reported to NHTSA

Brake booster failure causing hard pedal, long stops

SERVICE BRAKES

112 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2023-09

“The brakes suddenly became very difficult to press as if I did not have power brakes. No warning lights came on and it became very difficult to stop the car. Then if I had to break suddenly and hard it would stall”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11480067
“Brake booster failure caused a near miss. Wife driving with 5 year old daughter in the vehicle. The stopping force required on the brake pedal became excessive and the stopping (safe braking) distance significantly increased causing emotional distress”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11435560
“WHEN APPLYING BRAKE, HEAR HISSING SOUND DOWN AT FEET. HARD TO STOP, FEELS LIKE PEDAL IS PUSHING BACK. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS, EVEN WHEN PUTTING CAR INTO GEAR FROM PARK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11339494

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata air bag inflator recall parts unavailable

AIR BAGS

22 NHTSA complaints · 2015-10 → 2025-02

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11165925
“TAKATA RECALL - FAILURE TO REPLACE IN A TIMELY MANNER AND PREVENTED FROM CARRYING PASSENGERS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF THE CAR. CANNOT SELL / TRADE THIS VEHICLE UNTIL THE BAG(S) IS / ARE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11040929
“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, I’m sure I would have wrecked and could possibly be dead. It was loud!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11640738

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Water pump failure sends coolant into the engine

ENGINE

9 NHTSA complaints · 2017-12 → 2023-07

“IN OCT. 2019 MY CX9 STOPPED WHILE BEING DRIVEN. FOUND OUT THE WATER PUMP (WHICH IS INSIDE THE ENGINE) HAD GONE OUT AND DESTROYED MY ENGINE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM OF WHICH MAZDA HAS FAILED TO MAKE THEIR CONSUMERS AWARE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11331950
“WHILE DRIVING MY MAZDA CAR, IT SUDDENLY STARTED BUCKING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. PER MAZDA MECHANIC, WATER PUMP MALFUNCTIONED FORCING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11172673
“IF WATER PUMP FAILS THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING OR ANY TYPE OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ALERT. COOLANT WILL FLOOD CRANKCASE IMMEDIATELY AND RUIN THE ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11056892

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

AWD transfer case failure from internal corrosion

POWER TRAIN

7 NHTSA complaints · 2014-11 → 2020-06

“AWD TRANSFER CASE UNIT FAILURE THE TRANSFER CASE OF MY 2012 MAZDA CX-9 FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT CRUSISING SPEED CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE FIRST SIGN OF FAILURE WAS A HEAVY BURNED OIL ODOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11100769
“I JUST HAD ONLY 33K MILES ON MY 2012 MAZDA CX-9, THE TRANSFER CASE BROKEN FROM INSIDE YESTERDAY MORNING (FRIDAY APRIL 6TH 2018) WHEN I COMMUTE FROM HOME TO WORK. I WAS DRIVING ON A NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD GO STRAIGHT. FIRST THE LOUD NOISE RAISE FROM UNDER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11083811
“LIKE ONE OTHER INCIDENT, MY COMPLAINT INVOLVES THE TRANSFER CASE WHICH IS SPECIFIC TO THE AWD MODELS. I WAS ON A MAJOR ROADWAY WHEN I NOTICED A LOW, STRANGE NOISE. ABOUT THIS TIME I WAS PREPARING TO ENTER A TURN LANE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED AND MADE AN AWFUL NOISE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10660102

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front suspension control arm ball joint corrosion

SUSPENSION

9 NHTSA complaints · 2015-09 → 2023-07

“I RECEIVED A LETTER IN SEPTEMBER 2015 REGARDING A RECALL THAT INVOLVED THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND THE DANGERS THAT COULD BE INVOLVED, BUT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME TO FIX THE PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10850493
“MAZDA RECALL 8515G ( NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO 15V451) I CALLED MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION IN JANUARY 2016 REGARDING THE ABOVE RECALL. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE RECALL PARTS IN QUESTION TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND POSSIBLE REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10826132
“The contact owns a 2012 Mazda CX9. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been involved in a crash due to a fractured passenger's side lower control arm. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle had been repaired under NHTSA Campaign”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11532135

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration while braking or at low speed

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

6 NHTSA complaints · 2016-01 → 2025-06

“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. FOR A SPLIT SECOND I LIFTED MY FOOT TO MAKE SURE I WAS NOT PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11206767
“UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN PARKING LOT. CAR WAS IN DRIVE, FOOT LIGHTLY ON BRAKE WAITING ON CAR IN FRONT TO VACATE PARKING SPOT. ENGINE SUDDENLY SURGED AND TRANSMISSION MADE STRANGE SOUND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10821564
“WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED IN EXCESS OF 75 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11021594

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 2 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

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)

20 crashes 1990–2024

How the 20 occupant deaths break down

12

driver deaths

8

passenger deaths

20

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2013 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.

9

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls 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 2012 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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