This page covers 5 recalls, 221 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Mazda CX-9.
19 mpg combined
12.4 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
Brake complaints dominate the 2012 CX-9's complaint record by a wide margin. Owners most often describe the brake pedal becoming stiff or hard to press, reduced stopping ability, and in some cases near-miss situations where the vehicle took longer than expected to slow down. A smaller cluster of reports points to airbag issues, with owners describing curtain and side airbags deploying without any collision, some while the vehicle was stopped or moving at low speed. Engine complaints, though fewer in number, center on the water pump, with multiple owners reporting sudden coolant leaks and being told by technicians that the failure is common on this engine. A handful of owners also mention ball joint concerns, describing worn or loose joints requiring replacement. The water pump and brake pedal stiffness complaints appear across enough separate reports to stand out as the most consistent mechanical themes for this model year.
221
Total Complaints
9
Crash-Related
4
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Mazda CX-9 has 5 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
Multiple recalls cover this same airbag inflator defect, including filings that address vehicles where a prior replacement used an inflator of the same flawed design, meaning earlier repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue. The front suspension is also a concern: water can seep into the front lower ball joints and cause corrosion over time, eventually causing the lower control arm to separate from the joint and leaving the driver with no steering control.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator with a different design at no cost.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during a crash. This happens because the inflator's propellant degrades after years of exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace your passenger front air bag inflator with a new one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to heat and humidity.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a new one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can leak into the front suspension ball joint fittings, causing them to corrode and potentially fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both the left and right lower control arms at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
