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KLUNK
KLUNK

2012 Mazda Cx-9

The Verdict

50 Proceed with Caution

The 2012 Mazda Cx-9 has 221 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are brakes (130 complaints) and electrical (28 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 50/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Mazda Cx-9, consider the 2022 model year which has 95% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2022 has 95% fewer complaints

View the 2022 Mazda Cx-9 dashboard →

50

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20074362098
2008732936925
200914161856
20103487242921
20111395241622
201223130282713
2013191610175
20141794222
2015934181
20169810675
20171200472
201821813784
20192017212
202052471
2021843172
202241301
202382200

By Category

Brakes
130
Electrical
28
Engine
27
Body
23
Transmission
13

By Severity

1
106
2
102
3
4
4
9

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 1

While drive i feel like there is sticking something below the car when i am accelerating. And the acceleration became hard. Also i heard a weird noise at that time. Then a saw a leakage below my car.

13mo ago
Electrical 2

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! I thought I’d been shot or that I’d driven over a bomb. We did take the car to someone that’s certified in airbags and it was stated that this was due to a manufacturer’s defect. I also have lots of pictures. There was no warning when the airbags deployed. Mazda is refusing any responsibility due to the car being outside of the warranty.

17mo ago
Body 1

Ball joints replaced due to tear in both rubber covers and driver side ball joint very loose. Was previously repaired in July 2015 under recall Number: 15V451000.

22mo ago
Brakes 1

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. It turns out the brake booster, a known problem that was not communicated to me a few years ago, failed and makes braking the vehicle harder, increases distance, and makes the vehicle unsafe to drive. The problem has been reproduced via a diagnostic test at Mazda of Gladstone dealership on 9/27/23. The dealership has been the only people who have inspected the issue. There were no warning signs, no warning lights, nothing. It was scary because I didn't think my vehicle was going to stop. It's completely dangerous. I have not gotten the vehicle repaired yet because I believe Mazda holds responsibility as this has been a known issue with their cars.

34mo ago
Transmission 1

The water pump suddenly started leaking and the mechanics I talk to said this is a very common problem with this vehicle and type of engine. Sounds like owners are left to foot the bill for this costly and difficult repair of a defective product. Hopefully more owners come forward and report their experience in this regard

36mo ago
Body 4

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 Number: 15V451000 (Suspension). The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. An independent mechanic replaced the passenger's side lower control arm; however, the contact stated that after the repair was performed, the engine rattled and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was then taken back to the independent mechanic, who determined that the driver's side lower control arm spacers were missing and that the front and rear axles, brakes, and rear shocks needed to be replaced. Additionally, the cage bolts needed to be retightened. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

36mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2012 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the front passenger’s side seat belt was tightening intermittently causing discomfort for the front seat passenger. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle had not yet been taken to an independent mechanic or a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.

41mo ago
Brakes 1

On August 14, 2020, the brake booster along with the master cylinder failed, resulting in very dangerous and frightening driving conditions, and the parts were replaced with Mazda original parts. This was an ongoing issue with the Mazda CX-9’s. I reported it to the NHTSA, complaint number 11480067. On January 4, 2023, the brake master cylinder and booster failed again resulting again in very dangerous and frightening driving conditions. The car was driven only 25,383 miles before the brakes failed the second time. The Mazda parts were defective and continue to be so after many years with no effort by Mazda to improve these parts. Attached are the repair invoices for both incidents. I have tried contacting Mazda and they refuse to address the issue.

41mo ago
Engine 2

After hearing low rumbling sound and smelling burnt oil, car was taken to dealer for check up. They informed me of known issue, front PTU leaking oil due to design flaw that put the PTU so close to the exhaust. I am seeing that other owners of this model are also reporting fires due this same exact problem, apparently unbeknownst to me Mazda has provided extended warranty up to 90k miles but not actually informed the owners of this as a potential catastrophic problem. my personal review has informed me that fire seem to be most common between 110,000 and 130,000 mile ranges.

45mo ago
Brakes 2

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. I brought it to the repair shop and the brake booster was defective. The brake booster along with the master cylinder had to be replaced. It was a very dangerous and frightening experience the brakes suddenly difficult to use. I contacted Mazda customer service and they did not care. I then tried to escalate the issue over the last two years but it was impossible to contact anyone and all emails came back undeliverable. I just recently learned that I can report this danger to the NHTSA.

47mo ago
Body 2

Vehicle completely shuts off while driving making it hard to turn the steering wheel and apply brakes. Vehicle is able to be turned back on shortly after. Does this randomly. Probably 2 x within a 3-6 month period

47mo ago
Brakes 2

Brake power boost failure

49mo ago
Brakes 2

This is relating to NHTSA Investigation PE 14-005. Although this car is a 2012 Mazda CX9, my wife driving the car had the same issue where she heard a hissing noise and the brakes were very difficult for her to depress or to stop. A brake issue is a major defect where the NHTSA should have initiated a recall in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 30118-30120, which required notification of all owners. Why the NHTSA allowed Mazda to only issue a 'Special Extended Warranty' is beyond me, and smells of a back door deal. Nonetheless, I was unaware of this issue with the Mazda CX9's as I was never notified. My wife drove the vehicle home and I purchased the replacement parts at my own expense. This should be a full recall and should be reopened as your current investigation PE 14-005 only included years 2010-2011, and did *not* include the 2012 model year.

52mo ago
Brakes 4

I was driving along the highway and traffic began to slow. I pushed the brakes and the car did not stop.

55mo ago
Engine 1

CAR IDELS UP AT STOP SIGNS

55mo ago
Brakes 3

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. My understanding is this part (brake booster) has a defective diaphragm that deteriorates over time. The extended warranty created for this particular issue did not cover the vehicle at the time of the failure.

58mo ago
Brakes 1

BRAKE BOOSTER INTERNAL FAILURE - This is a known issue and a safety hazard on Mazda CX 9 models and should be investigated again regardless of the age of the vehicle.

58mo ago
Brakes 1

The contact owns a 2012 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated while driving 25 mph and approaching a stop sign, depressing the brake pedal the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she pumped the brake pedal and shifted to neutral until the vehicle came to a stop. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the power brake booster and master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,805.

60mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REACH OUT TO THE DEALERSHIP ELDORADO CHEVROLET(233 N CENTRAL EXPWY, MCKINNEY, TX 75070). THE CONTACT WANTED A SECOND OPINION AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ELDORADO CHEVROLET (2300 N CENTRAL EXPY, MCKINNEY, TX 75070) WHERE IT WAS ALSO DIAGNOSED WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE SVC MGR INFORMED CONSUMER HE WOULDNT ADVISED ANYONE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL REPAIRS WERE MADE. DUE TO INCORRECT TITLE WORK THE DEALER REFUNDED SOME MONEY AND TOOK POSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PUT BACK ON THE LOT FOR RESALE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED A LAWYER AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN OFF THE LOT BUT CARFAX WAS NOT UPDATED WITH CORRECT INFORMATION.

63mo ago
Body 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND DROVE FORWARD CRASHING INTO A WOODEN SEATING BENCH WHICH WAS PUSHED INTO A BUILDING. DURING THE INCIDENT THE DRIVERS FOOT WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

65mo ago

221 total

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