While driving on interstate 90 west in massachusetts, 5 miles from route 84, our AWD cx-9 started making a very loud whining noise. Within 10 seconds, the car started bucking, making a grinding noise and the steering became difficult. I was able to maneuver to the left side of the road; I could not make it to the breakdown lane because of the car's condition. Once the car stopped, we smelled…
2012 Mazda CX-9 steering problems
severe 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 7 steering complaints filed for the 2012 Mazda CX-9, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Among the 7 model years of Mazda CX-9 in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2012 Mazda CX-9?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 29,514 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.