The Lemon Index2008 Mazda CX-9.
The 2008 Mazda CX-9 has too few complaints to score: 17 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about steering, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 17 to 18 mpg combined. The best Mazda CX-9 year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 172 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Mazda CX-9 year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 57K to 126K miles on the car (126 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- suspension complaints mostly came at 78K–120K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 65K–140K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 40K–129K miles
Recalls 6
- airbags 2019
These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2017
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.
Show all 6 recalls
- suspension 2015
The affected vehicles have front suspension ball joints that may corrode from water leaking into the fitting.
- equipment 2009
THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- electrical 2009
MAZDA IS RECALLING 30,600 MY 2007-2009 CX9 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEAT WITH POSITION MEMORY FUNCTION.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 263 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- All of the following:malfunction indicator light (mil) on.automatic transmission
- Vibration during acceleration and/or noise coming from the rear of the vehicle
- If a vehicle has body vibration or steering wheel shimmy while driving and the root cause is…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLower ball joint separation2015
- ClosedBrake master cylinder leak2011–2012
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Current recall where heated seat tends to overheat, but my Model year isn't included. I have previously complained about this issue to the dealer before I was even aware of the current recall.
2008 Mazda CX-9 owner · NHTSA complaint 10316173
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 17 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 Mazda CX-9 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (24%), seats (18%) and transmission & drivetrain (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda CX-9 have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Mazda CX-9 get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Mazda CX-9 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 57,900 and 126,300 miles. The middle report was at 99,500 miles, from 126 complaints.
Does the 2008 Mazda CX-9 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Mazda CX-9 cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Mazda CX-9 have?
3.7L 6-cyl.
What Mazda CX-9 year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2022 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works