MAZDA CX-9 · model year

2008 MAZDA CX-9

234 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008MAZDACX-9 carries 234 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 CX-9 is suspension with 54 filings, followed by air bags (27) and power train (25). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 21 investigation files overlapping the 2008 CX-9, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

234
Complaints
14
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

234 filings

Crashes Reported

14 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION54
AIR BAGS27
POWER TRAIN25
SERVICE BRAKES23
STEERING18
WHEELS16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC7
SEATS6
ENGINE6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM2
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT2

Recalls (6)

19V78200031/10/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 deg

17V42900029/06/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

09V06600023/02/2009

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

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

15V45100020/07/2015

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

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.

17V45700018/07/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 (Sa

09E01100002/04/2009

EQUIPMENT

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 AB

Recent Complaints

20240612SERVICE BRAKES

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

20231011STEERING

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

20231011SUSPENSION

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

20231011POWER TRAIN

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

20231011WHEELS

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.

20221010SUSPENSION

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.

20220802SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

Mileage: 115,000

20220126UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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).

20220126EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

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).

20210404SERVICE BRAKES

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

Mileage: 225

20210404ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 225

20210404LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

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

Mileage: 225

20210404ENGINE

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

Mileage: 235

20210404POWER TRAIN

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

Mileage: 235

20210404SUSPENSION

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

Mileage: 235

20210312CrashAIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 93,000

20210311CrashSTEERING

LOST CONTROL BRAKES FAILING AND STEERING AND WHEEL LC ABOUT TO FALL OFF DEALERSHIPS SAYING RECALL WAS COMPLETED BUT IT'S DEFINITELY NOT

20210311CrashSUSPENSION

LOST CONTROL BRAKES FAILING AND STEERING AND WHEEL LC ABOUT TO FALL OFF DEALERSHIPS SAYING RECALL WAS COMPLETED BUT IT'S DEFINITELY NOT

20210311CrashWHEELS

LOST CONTROL BRAKES FAILING AND STEERING AND WHEEL LC ABOUT TO FALL OFF DEALERSHIPS SAYING RECALL WAS COMPLETED BUT IT'S DEFINITELY NOT

20210311SERVICE BRAKES

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

Compare 2008MAZDACX-9 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 MAZDA CX-9 have?
The 2008 MAZDA CX-9 has 234 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 MAZDA CX-9?
Yes, the 2008 MAZDA CX-9 has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 MAZDA CX-9?
The most-complained component for the 2008 MAZDA CX-9 is SUSPENSION with 54 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2008 MAZDA CX-9 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.