This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE Refer to the applicable Workshop Manual or Owner's Manual for vehicle -specific manufacturer scheduled maintenance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Mazda CX-9 brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Mazda CX-9 have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 66,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 CX-9 | 15 |
| 2010 CX-9 | 81 |
| 2011 CX-9 | 91 |
| 2012 CX-9 | 130 |
| 2013 CX-9 (this page) | 15 |
| 2014 CX-9 | 9 |
| 2016 CX-9 | 5 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 15 brakes complaints filed for the 2013 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
Brakes accounts for 22% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging. If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to the following information to understand why symptoms may occur, and to better assist the customer in resolving their specific brake concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a consistent brake failure pattern involving the brake power booster. The failure starts with a hissing sound in the engine compartment or at the brake pedal when braking, followed by a hard or stiff brake pedal that requires excessive force to depress. In most cases, the vehicle loses effective braking power despite pressing the pedal to the floor, creating dangerous situations where the vehicle coasts or rolls forward at traffic lights or slows inadequately during emergency stops. One owner reported near-fatal consequences when brakes failed during an emergency maneuver in traffic; another incurred over $11,000 in damage after being unable to brake and hitting a curb. Multiple owners mention the brake booster becoming noticeably harder when hot, particularly concerning for drivers in warm climates. Dealers confirm vacuum seal failure inside the brake power booster assembly. Repair involves replacing the brake booster unit; owners cite costs around $760 out of pocket when not covered. The issue appears across multiple model years (2008–2013), with some owners noting NHTSA previously extended warranty coverage on 2010–2011 models but the problem persisted in the 2013. Several owners report the failure recurred after dealer repairs.
Same Mazda CX-9 brakes reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Brake Power Booster Vacuum Seal Failure
Internal vacuum seals in the brake power booster fail, causing loss of brake assist and requiring excessive pedal force to stop the vehicle. Owners report the booster becomes worse when hot or overheated.
When: Reports range from 32,885 miles to 51,000 miles; some earlier in vehicle life.
Symptoms owners cite: Hissing sound from engine compartment or brake pedal during braking; Brake pedal becomes very hard or stiff to depress; Requires excessive force to stop vehicle, even at low speeds (20–30 mph); Vehicle rolls forward slowly or fails to stop despite fully depressed pedal; Brake assist completely absent; feels like pushing unassisted brakes; RPM fluctuation and stalling at traffic lights in some cases; Symptoms worsen when brake booster heats up
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of brake power booster assembly required; one owner cited $760 out-of-pocket repair cost. Some repairs recurred after initial dealer replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mazda extended warranty on 2010–2011 CX-9 models after NHTSA investigation. For 2013 models, dealer service confirmed no recall or warranty extension available for some owners; others report repairs done under warranty. One case was marked due to wear and tear.
Secondary Brake System Malfunction After Booster Repair
After brake booster replacement, the braking switch continued to malfunction, preventing cruise control engagement and causing the vehicle to behave as though brakes were continuously applied.
When: Days after initial brake booster replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control fails to engage despite brakes not being pressed; Vehicle behaves as though brakes are continuously being applied; Orange wrench mechanic light illuminates on dashboard
Repairs/costs cited: Brake booster and braking switch required replacement; dealer attempted repair twice.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Brakes failed while driving. Mazda dealer did not fix this known defect under recall SSP93
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mazda cx-9. While driving 40 MPH, the brakes made a hissing sound when engaged. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 32,885.
Brake pedal became very difficult to depress, with hissing sound. Had to fully depress pedal to be able to stop from moderate speeds of 20-30mph. Research indicates the cx-9 has experienced brake booster failure with this symptom in previous model years.
Had brakes trouble with your 2013 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 brakes problem on the 2013 Mazda CX-9?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 34,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 66,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 34,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/2013/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.