2008 Mazda CX-9 - Ratings, Complaints and Recalls

The 2008 Mazda CX-9 has a solid safety rating with a 5-star rating for both front and side crash ratings. While the rollover rating is 4 out of 5, indicating a slightly lower score in that aspect, the overall safety performance is commendable. The vehicle comes equipped with standard electronic stability control, which enhances its safety features. However, it does not have forward collision warning or lane departure warning systems. In terms of complaints and recalls, there have been 171 complaints and 6 recalls reported for this model. Overall, the Mazda CX-9 demonstrates good safety capabilities but may benefit from additional advanced safety technologies.

auto generated summary, may be inaccurate.

Top stats at a glance

Complaint Count

171

Recall Count

6

Investigation Count

2

Safety Rating

Not Rated

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Safety Features

2008 Mazda CX-9 4-DR.w/SAB Safety Features

Here are the safety features that come as standard on the 2008 Mazda CX-9 4-DR.w/SAB

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ESC is an advanced safety feature in vehicles designed to help drivers maintain control during challenging driving conditions. By continuously monitoring various factors such as steering angle, vehicle speed, and individual wheel speeds, ESC can detect and reduce the risk of skidding or loss of control. It achieves this by automatically applying brakes to specific wheels to stabilize the vehicle.

Standard
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)

Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is a safety feature in vehicles that helps prevent frontal collisions by alerting the driver of an imminent collision with a vehicle or obstacle ahead. Using sensors such as radar or cameras, FCW monitors the distance and speed of vehicles in front, and if it detects a potential collision, it provides visual and/or auditory warnings to prompt the driver to take evasive action.

No
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is a safety feature in vehicles that alerts drivers when their vehicle unintentionally drifts out of its lane without signaling. Utilizing cameras or sensors to monitor lane markings on the road, LDW detects when the vehicle crosses these lines and triggers visual, auditory, or haptic alerts to notify the driver of potential lane departure.

No

2008 Mazda CX-9 4-DR.w/SAB Safety Ratings

Here we have the crash and rollover ratings for the 2008 Mazda CX-9 4-DR.w/SAB Where possible we've included the ratings for the oldest and latest models of this car so you can compare how the safety ratings have changed over time.

Frontal Crash Ratings

Combines Driver and Passenger star ratings into a single frontal rating. The frontal barrier test simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles, each moving at 35 mph.

Test 2007 Score 2008 Score 2023 Score
Overall Front Crash Rating Not Rated Not Rated 4
Front Crash Driver Side Rating 5 5 4
Front Crash Passenger Side Rating 5 5 4

Side Crash Ratings

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Test 2007 Score 2008 Score 2023 Score
Overall Side Crash Rating Not Rated Not Rated 5
Side Crash Drivers Side Rating 5 5 5
Side Crash Passenger Side Rating 5 5 5
Combined Side Barrier Pole Rating - Front Not Rated Not Rated 5
Combined Side Barrier Pole Rating - Rear Not Rated Not Rated 5
Overall Side Barrier Rating Not Rated Not Rated 5

Rollover Ratings

The Rollover Resistance test measures the risk of rollover in a single-vehicle, loss-of-control scenario.

Test 2007 Score 2008 Score 2023 Score
Rollover Rating 4 4 4
Rollover Possibility % 0% 0% 0%
Dynamic Tip Result No Tip No Tip No Tip
Side Pole Crash Rating Not Rated Not Rated 5

Complaints for the 2008 Mazda CX-9

This chart show the number of complaints for each car component. A Higher number of complaints could indicate that this car might have a common fault. Something to look out for when purchasing one.

Component Complaints

Choose a component to see what complaints people have made about them.

Complaint:
"in 2017 had my front control arms replaced after the driver side cv arm came off of the axle due to a recall. 5 years later (about 30k miles) the same exact situation happened now with the passenger side making a left turn. thankfully both times i didn’t cause an accident but came close due to the wheel coming off of the axle. brought to dealership, they had to get approval from corporate for the repair. got a call 6 days later saying corporate denied the goodwill repair due to being “normal wear and tear” and they told me to call corporate. just called corporate and they say that the dealership makes that decision. i shouldn’t have to pay for something that was recalled, repaired, and happened again 100% in the same fashion. normal wear and tear on a cv arm is not 20-30k miles."
Components Involved: SUSPENSION
Date of incident: 2022-01-10
Complaint:
"when i brought the car within 30 days the axle broke they fixed it but i haven't had the car for 4 months and now the transfer case is cracked they want me to pay 800 dollars to fix it but i did nothing wrong he hasn't fixed my key after he said he will he stated after the axle was fixed that he needed to add transmission fluid which he did not ever add and now my transfer case is broke i was driving and heard a large boom i thought the axle broke again and the 4wd light came on so i was able to drive it back and now they telling me it's my fault that it happened i didn't do anything but drive the car i brought the car september 5th 2019 i had to take the car back because the seat wouldn't work the axle broke now the other issue"
Components Involved: SUSPENSION
Date of incident: 2021-07-12
Complaint:
"》takara recall ----- nhtsa campaign number: 15v451000《 my car started with a scratching or grinding noise that i thought was the brakes but i just recently changed so i kept driving. when it would rain it would make noises i cant remember what exactly it was i think it was like popping. only when it rained and i was turning. well it turned into when i was driving anytime it was popping and cracking and then it turned into some crazy noise that almost sounded like something was falling out the bottom of my car and i was dragging on the ground but i wasnt dragging anything. i think it got water inside the ball joint and rusted. nhtsa campaign number: 15v451000"
Components Involved: SUSPENSION
Date of incident: 2019-04-03
Complaint:
"2008 mazda cx-9. consumer writes seeking reimbursement for repairs related to a safety recall. *ld the consumer stated there was a safety recall performed on the vehicle that there should not have been a charge for. the consumer requested to be reimbursed. *js"
Components Involved: SUSPENSION
Date of incident: 2018-09-04
Complaint:
"tl* the contact owns a 2008 mazda cx-9. while driving 30 mph, the vehicle suddenly jerked and came to a sudden halt without warning. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front ball joint and axle fractured and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not notified. the failure mileage was 115,000."
Components Involved: SUSPENSION
Date of incident: 2018-03-02
Complaint:
"my complaint is mazda rejected my reimbursement claim based on their "policy" of having only a mazda dealer perform the repairs. i do not accept the rejection. we tried to schedule with mazda. no chance. they are too booked. my wife is a school teacher. we must have the vehicle. a long story short, attached are (3) items: the recall notice from mazda, the receipt from my excellent mechanic and the mazda rejection letter. my goal here is to alert you that mazda is being unrealistic. my mechanic is award winning (i watched him remove an engine from a porsche 911. his a master. also, we have four old cars. mazda is just stupid. maybe you can use this as a case study to train new employees. i still want my money. sincerely [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr"
Components Involved: SUSPENSION
Date of incident: 2017-12-10
Complaint:
"on tuesday may 31, 2016 i took my mazda cx9 to mazda dealership for the recall, reference ##15v451000. i told the service representative that i was glad to be bringing the car in as it was making noises in the driver front and that the steering seemed loose. i was told that my car was inspected, did not require the recall and that all suspension parts were in good working order. on sunday, june 5, 2016 while entering the highway while driving my 2 children and elderly mother, my ball joint and lower control arm broke causing an accident on the highway on ramp. i was informed by police that i was lucky this had not occurred moments later (at high speed) as it was likely to have caused a severe or possibly fatal accident. the car was not drive able and required me tow my vehicle and find alternative transportation."
Components Involved: SUSPENSION
Date of incident: 2016-05-06
Complaint:
"tl* the contact owns a 2008 mazda cx-9. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v451000 (suspension); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was not notified of the issue. the contact had not experienced a failure. parts distribute disconnect."
Components Involved: SUSPENSION
Date of incident: 2015-12-09
Complaint:
"tl* the contact owned a 2008 mazda cx-9. while driving at various speeds, the contact lost control of the vehicle. the vehicle jumped a curb and struck a tree. there were no injuries and a police report was not filed. the vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent mechanic. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v451000 (suspension) after the failure occurred. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was unknown."
Components Involved: SUSPENSION
Date of incident: 2009-10-02
Complaint:
"tl* the contact owns a 2008 mazda cx-9. while turning the steering wheel, a rattling noise was heard. the failure occurred randomly. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v451000 (suspension). the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was not aware of the issue. the failure mileage was approximately 178,000. vin tool confirms parts not available."
Components Involved: SUSPENSION
Date of incident: 2016-06-05

Recalls for the 2008 Mazda CX-9

Component Recalls

Choose a component to see what recalls people have made about them.

Recall:
"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."
Consequence:
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy:

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V356 and 17V012.

Component(s) Involved: AIR BAGS > FRONTAL > PASSENGER SIDE > INFLATOR MODULE
Date of incident: 2019-10-31
Recall:
"mazda north america operations (mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 mazda6, and 2007-2011 cx-7 and cx-9 vehicles. these vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling."
Consequence:
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy:

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.

Component(s) Involved: AIR BAGS > FRONTAL > PASSENGER SIDE > INFLATOR MODULE
Date of incident: 2017-06-29
Recall:
"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..."
Consequence:
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy:

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 17V-012.

Component(s) Involved: AIR BAGS > FRONTAL > PASSENGER SIDE > INFLATOR MODULE
Date of incident: 2017-07-18

MAZDA Overall Complaint Ranking

This table shows the ranking of car manufacturers when it comes to most complaints and recalls. The manufacturer with the most complaints is at the top. However this doesn't necassarily mean they should be avoided. Some manufacturers might just have more popular or affordable cars which a lot of people have bought. Which means there's more scope for a complaint to be made. Use the ranking table below as a part your wider research into buying a car.

MAZDA ranks 16 out of 44 in the complaints ranking table.

Manufacturer Complaint Count Recall Count Ranking
FORD 208,358 3,259 1
CHEVROLET 111,306 2,082 2
TOYOTA 81,019 1,852 3
HONDA 61,937 1,268 4
NISSAN 56,226 930 5
DODGE 45,756 827 6
HYUNDAI 44,150 649 7
GMC 34,441 1,410 8
KIA 29,832 501 9
CHRYSLER 27,698 254 10
TESLA 26,230 730 11
BMW 24,890 1,877 12
VOLKSWAGEN 23,125 829 13
MERCEDES-BENZ 19,066 2,925 14
SUBARU 18,513 703 15
MAZDA 10,599 364 16
PONTIAC 10,430 138 17
CADILLAC 9,434 444 18
AUDI 7,865 1,093 19
BUICK 7,851 279 20
SATURN 7,672 84 21
MERCURY 7,374 135 22
LEXUS 6,373 408 23
LINCOLN 5,897 423 24
ACURA 5,722 382 25
MINI 5,585 366 26
INFINITI 4,000 187 27
MITSUBISHI 3,912 397 28
VOLVO 3,875 727 29
PORSCHE 2,646 1,231 30
SUZUKI 2,272 123 31
FIAT 2,205 80 32
SAAB 1,536 76 33
JAGUAR 1,195 198 34
SMART 528 17 35
GENESIS 436 42 36
ISUZU 249 37 37
ALFA ROMEO 161 37 38
MASERATI 76 46 39
BENTLEY 46 159 40
POLESTAR 42 2 41
LUCID 14 6 42
CODA 4 2 43
MAYBACH 0 0 44

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