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.
2012 Mazda CX-9 powertrain problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 15 powertrain complaints filed for the 2012 Mazda CX-9, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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 . This occurred while driving creating a serious safety issue potentially causing a collision.
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 that literally sounded like the engine fell out. It then felt like I ran over said engine before the car came to an abrupt stop.…
The Mazda cx9 that we purchased has a acceleration problem when we go to stop.. Mazda has never been able to solve the problem completely.. We have had 2 brake boosters replaced under warranty. We feel the car is unsafe to drive and Mazda has not addressed the problem. They tell us nothing is wrong with the car. It know also has transmission problems with squeaking and grinding noises coming…
Airbag safety recall, transmission switch failure, throttle body failure, brake failure
Had powertrain trouble with your 2012 Mazda CX-9?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2012 Mazda CX-9?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 36,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 75,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Mazda/CX-9.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.