2008 Mazda CX-9 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
234 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2008 Mazda CX-9, alongside 6 recall campaigns and 2 defect investigations. It scores 91/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Suspension leads the reports, typically around 110,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2008 Mazda CX-9 sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2015.
Avoid
Where 2008 sits among all CX-9 years
What owners report
“Left lower control arm ball joint fail and ripped left cv axel. Right side ball joint was loose and right lower control arm was replaced, at the moment the car still cant do tight turn without clicking noise. Left lower control arm was replaced complete with ball joint”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 CX-9
“Vehicle suddenly did not brake as expected. Brake pedal was hard to press and unresponsive. Brakes made noise while depressed. Vehicle was being driven at the time, and did not have the issue earlier in the day.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 CX-9
“Known issue of transfer case mechanical failure in all cx-9 models from 2007-2015. Transfer case is too close to exhaust causing the oil to dry up. Transfer case explodes causing the vehicle to lock up while driving. Known issue that has cause many accidents.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 CX-9
“Takata recall - i'm advised that air bags had to change because are defects, all.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 CX-9
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 159 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 107,300 miles. Half of those reports fall between 69,000 and 130,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (6)
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…
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,…
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…
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,…
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…
Fix: 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,…
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.
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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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.…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 15V451000.
Technical service bulletins
261 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2008 Mazda CX-9. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2008 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
The 2008 Mazda CX-9 drew 234 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 91/100, scored against the model's worst year (2012).
What are the most common 2008 Mazda CX-9 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2008 Mazda CX-9 are suspension (56 complaints), brakes & stability (31), and transmission & drivetrain (28).
At what mileage do 2008 Mazda CX-9 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2008 Mazda CX-9 problems around 107,300 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 69,000 and 130,000 miles.
Does the 2008 Mazda CX-9 have recalls?
6 recall campaigns apply to the 2008 Mazda CX-9. At least one carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning — check your VIN before driving.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.