2012 Mazda CX-9 Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Mazda CX-9.

20112013
Complaints
263
Crashes
14
Fires
0
Injuries
10
Fatalities
Recalls
4

Worst 2012 Mazda CX-9 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1139 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:59,559 mi
Crash-related:4
#225 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:71,475 mi
Crash-related:1
#323 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:65,868 mi
Crash-related:2
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Mazda CX-9.

Brakes
139
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
59,559
Engine Problems
25
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
71,475
Airbags
23
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
65,868
Transmission / Drivetrain
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
58,028
Unintended Acceleration
11
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
51,606
Suspension Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
32,500
Steering Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
29,514
Electrical Faults
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
51,475
Headlight/Taillight Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brake Master Cylinder
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Mazda CX-9. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 Mazda CX-9

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~498,201 vehicles.

19V782000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~69,879 affected

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

18V717000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~155,436 affected

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

17V457000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~79,402 affected

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2012 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2007-2008 CX-7 and CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

15V451000Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
~193,484 affected

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 CX-9 vehicles manufactured October 24, 2006, to December 28, 2013. The affected vehicles have front suspension ball joints that may corrode from water leaking into the fitting.

Other Mazda CX-9 Years

2012 Mazda CX-9 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2012 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2012 Mazda CX-9 has 263 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Brakes with 139 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Mazda CX-9?
Top reported problems: Brakes (139 complaints, avg 59,559 mi); Engine Problems (25 complaints, avg 71,475 mi); Airbags (23 complaints, avg 65,868 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Mazda CX-9?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 58,857 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2012 Mazda CX-9?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Mazda CX-9 include 14 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2012 Mazda CX-9 have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 498,201 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2012 Mazda CX-9?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (brakes) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Mazda CX-9 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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