Mazda CX-9 problems
221 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Brake pedal makes hissing sound when depressed like air leakage; intermittently very difficult to depress brake pedal with a lot of force applied (typically if pumping brake), leading to increased stopping distance/difficult stopping. Occurs when brakes depressed (soft…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mazda cx-9. The contact stated that while driving over a speed bump at approximately 5 MPH both the front and rear driver side and passenger side curtain airbags had erroneously deployed with out any impact occurring to the vehicle. During the…
The transmission was shifting hard between 4th and 5th gear. My wife brought the vehicle to the dealership to have the air bag recall done. They then charged us $122 to update the transmission program to correct the factory issue. Now it shifts from 6th to 3rd on the interstate.
I put my vehicle in the Mazda shop last year 2017 for a recall and I mentioned that there was something I felt in my brakes they told me that it may be dust and by driving it will go away,Mazda knew about this problem they should have taken care of it then.my vehicle was taken…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 221 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Mazda CX-9 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Mazda CX-9?
The 2012 Mazda CX-9 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Mazda CX-9?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 130 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 63,312 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 63,312 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mazda CX-9 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Mazda CX-9?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 221 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.