2012 Mazda CX-9 Mazda CX-9 2012

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2012 Mazda CX-9 repairs by problem area

Engine (14%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (33%)

Brakes and Traction Control (20%)

Suspension and Steering (10%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (12%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (8%)

Other (4%)

Chart based on 51 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2012 Mazda CX-9.

2012 Mazda CX-9 repair cost distribution

$2500+ (2%)

$1000 - $2499 (0%)

$500 - $999 (19%)

$100 - $499 (14%)

< $100 (65%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 43 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2012 Mazda CX-9

Engine not specified

Mazda CX-9 in Oregon, United States
Sep 2013 - Jun 2016
Apr 2014

20700 mi
Car to dealer 6 times (start 6/2013) for toxic smell from engine entering cabin. Nothing found and disregard of Mazda. Car FAILS in 03/2014. Took to shop. Transfer case failure and smell was caused by it. Transfer case changed. 9 months lost 

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2012 Mazda CX-9 4dr SUV

273-horsepower 3.7L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Mazda CX-9 in Georgia, United States
Oct 2012 - Sep 2022
Dec 2012

2000 mi
Rubber seal surrounding headlight on driver's side was improperly installed; replacement required removal of bumper, grille and headlight assembly (4 hours to complete), loaner car provided 
Aug 2013

13000 mi
Windshield wipers got out of sync and crashed into each other. Driver side wiper arm bent and passenger side wiper arm stripped at base (where it attaches to motor). All parts of both wipers replaced, but one had to ordered. 
Oct 2014

31700 mi

US $80
High beams range and quality had significantly degraded since new. Replaced with Sylvania Ultra bulbs. Tried to replace bulbs myself but could not fit my hand in the tight space to insert and secure bulbs. 
May 2015

42000 mi
Brake booster vacuum leak, brake booster replaced under warranty extension for that part. Had to order part but provided loaner. 
Jul 2015

45000 mi
Started hearing a loud, intermittent metallic rattling sound after last repair trip. Heat shield on exhaust was loose and the entire exhaust system is being replaced per an extended warranty on the parts. Six days and parts not here yet. 
Aug 2015

46200 mi
Repair of exhaust system noted in 7/15 were completed after waiting 22 days for parts. Noticed heat shield rattling when A/C kicked on a few days later and had to return to dealer for repair. 
Feb 2019

95000 mi

US $725
Transmission began shifting into D (from P, R or N) very harshly a few months ago. I located a TSB that identified this issue as "shift shock" and indicated that a TCM re-flash would correct the issue, if TCM could be reflashed. Based on production date/VIN, the TCM itself could require replacement. A new TCM lists for just over $1k! Luckily, my TCM was one that could be re-flashed. The intial charge for this was $159, but I negotiated it down to $75. I have also noticed some odd behavior in the transmission's downshift behavior. It has always been aggressive about downshifting for engine braking, but it had become overly-agressive on an intermittent basis. The dealer traced this to a faulty Throttle Pedal Position Sensor. The price for this repair was around $375. Finally, they were very insistent that new Synthetic ATF was essential to ensure everything worked well. I was fine with the change, but the $349 price tag was a different story. I did some research, we went back and forth a few times and finally I got them to agree to do it for $210. It's still steep, IMO, but it's worth it for the peace of mind. 
Jul 2022

128000 mi

US $920
Front shocks/struts were replaced. 
Mazda CX-9 in Virginia, United States
Nov 2016 - Jul 2018
Jun 2017

60000 mi
Drain plug clogged. Water accumulated in vent and sloshing through fan. Easily cleared with shop vac. 
Mazda CX-9 in Texas, United States
Jun 2015 - Jun 2018
Dec 2017

55000 mi

US $50
Window Regulators on both front sides stopped working due to worn out gears 

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2012 Mazda CX-9 4dr SUV

273-horsepower 3.7L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Mazda CX-9 in New Jersey, United States
Jan 2015 - Dec 2016
Sep 2015

27000 mi
The brake booster completely failed making braking extremely difficult and dangerous. Brake booster was replaced under warranty. Parts in stock, known problem. 
Mazda CX-9 in Quebec, Canada
Jul 2015 - Mar 2017
Mar 2017

62620 mi

C $800
Power steering hose was leaking and oil was dropping on top the exhaust, we can smell burned oil in the car. Replaced power steering hose. Rear wheel bearing making grounding noise. It was replaced Had to replaced all Rotor and Pads Rattling noise coming from rear back passenger side. Mecanic could not find the source. 
Mazda CX-9 in Washington, United States
Feb 2016 - Jun 2019
Mar 2016

26000 mi
Transfer case seal failed, transfer case replaced. 
Sep 2017

48000 mi

US $400
Pulsing/vibration coming from rear disc brakes. Rotors and discs had plenty of material life left in them. Replaced discs and pads all around. Issue went away. 
Jun 2018

59000 mi

US $600
Rear passenger axle seal replaced Hard shifting transmission. TSB active for this transmission. Dealer did software update 
Mazda CX-9 in New York, United States
Jul 2013 - Oct 2019
Apr 2017

71000 mi

US $100
Transmission had to be replaced. It started with a leak in one of the valves that resulted in all the fluid leaking and then the whole transmission failed 
May 2017

75000 mi

US $700
Brake pedal was very soft and emitted a hissing sound when pressed. It was diagnosed as failing master cylinder 
Jun 2017

75000 mi

US $100
brake switch had to be replaced since it was causing a check engine light 
Jul 2018

99000 mi

US $900
Differential, just a fluid change. 
Mazda CX-9 in Quebec, Canada
Apr 2013 - Sep 2021
Jun 2018

26040 mi
Replaced Front Transfer case 
Mazda CX-9 in Ohio, United States
Nov 2015 - Dec 2017
Aug 2015

29000 mi

US $100
Brakes became VERY soft, requiring standing on the pedal to stop. It began while we were on vacation in the mountains, which was obviously not ideal worrying about braking on a windy mountain road. 
Apr 2016

31000 mi

US $100
There was an issue with ignition wiring in one of the cylinders, causing a misfire and obviously poor performance. Oddly, no check engine light. Was covered under extended warranty. Dealer initially quoted replacing wiring for all cylinders, but only replaced wiring for the one cylinder after learning of the warranty. Don't recall total cost quoted, but I think it was ~$800. 
Mazda CX-9 in California, United States
Jul 2015 - Jun 2016
Aug 2015

59000 mi
Boosters Power transfer case 
Mazda CX-9 in Connecticut, United States
Sep 2012 - Feb 2016
Feb 2015

44000 mi
4 wheel drive system failed completely and dealer installed brand new(transfer case/transaxle) 
Dec 2015

61000 mi
Failure of valve cover gaskets, front engine seal, multiple engine seals all failed at same time. Emissions controls also failed and were replaced.  They obviously didn't do a good job because the valve cover gaskets and a seal on the side of the engine failed again a week later. I was told that the gaskets were installed improperly due to the lack of room, can't see what you're doing. 
Feb 2016

61000 mi
I had it with this car. The car would constantly stall while driving or in park or whenever. There are 6 codes currently showing on computer and with all the past issues we gave up on this car It's a lemon 
Mazda CX-9 in Colorado, United States
Sep 2012 - Jun 2022
Jul 2014

49000 mi
The brake booster failed. This possibility was mentioned in an extended warranty notice several months ago, but it was still a dangerous surprise when it happened while driving the car in heavy traffic. The brakes worked, but with a delay and more effort. 
Jun 2017

80000 mi

US $25
Replaced both headlights after one burned out. Sixth replacement in last 20,000 miles (3 years). Dealer knows this is a big problem for the CX-9, but has no suggestions. I have tried several different top quality bulbs, all seem to last about 6 months. 
Oct 2017

74000 mi

US $500
Replacement of warped front rotors, new front brake pads. 
Apr 2022

106000 mi

US $650
Suspension bushings in front of car replaced to tighten steering and remove clunking noises when hitting pot holes. 
Mazda CX-9 in Michigan, United States
Sep 2012 - Jan 2015
Mar 2013

6000 mi
TPMS light came on 
Mazda CX-9 in New Jersey, United States
Sep 2012 - Jun 2015
Mar 2015

43000 mi
front wheel drive system leaking and replaced under warranty 
Mazda CX-9 in California, United States
Oct 2012 - Jun 2022
May 2014

14000 mi
Transfer case output seal leaking causing burning oil smell due to proximity to exhaust system. The dealership replaced the seal and all seems fine now. 
Nov 2015

25700 mi
Replaced transfer case for ongoing burning smell when going uphill. Related to previous repair attempt of replacing output seal. 
Mazda CX-9 in California, United States
Jan 2013 - Jun 2018
Jul 2013

20700 mi
Hiss or whistle from under dash when brake pressed and held. Pedal mushy but brakes still worked. Diagnosed as a failed vacuum booster for the master cylinder. Replaced by dealer under warranty. 
Mazda CX-9 in North Dakota, United States
Sep 2012 - Jun 2018
May 2013

6000 mi
Manual lift plastic gate handle broke off and had to be replaced 
Mar 2014

13000 mi
Differential started to leak. Was replaced with a brand-new unit, which started to leak again. Another replacement of seals in the differential and the car appears fine. Tool altogether 3 trips within the span of a month. 
Aug 2014

15900 mi
Rattling at certain RPM during acceleration. Dealer replaced an exhaust pipe. The noise is still there after the repair. Because it is not a safety issue, this will be addressed during the next PM visit to the dealer. 
Mazda CX-9 in New York, United States
May 2013 - Mar 2021
Jun 2013

6000 mi
Driver side mirror vibration 
Oct 2015

30500 mi

US $200
Loose from end 
Mazda CX-9 in Alberta, Canada
Feb 2013 - Jun 2022
Nov 2015

26660 mi
Suspension/steering recall repair. ball joints and lower control arms replaced under recall. 
Mar 2016

29140 mi
Removed and replaced oil seals on output shaft. Rear axle seals were leaking fluid. 
Jan 2022

76880 mi

C $3400
Rear Dif and/or transfer case, control solenoid, rebuild. 
Mazda CX-9 in Pennsylvania, United States
Jun 2014 - Feb 2015
Nov 2014

35000 mi
Finish flaked off of steering wheel radio satellite controls for radio. 

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2012 Mazda CX-9 Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2012 Mazda CX-9 problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.