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
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
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 FROM…
AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL, TRANSMISSION SWITCH FAILURE, THROTTLE BODY FAILURE, BRAKE FAILURE
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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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