The Lemon Index2012 Mazda CX-9.
The 2012 Mazda CX-9 is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 63 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 201, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 19 mpg combined. The best Mazda CX-9 year is 2017.
Lemon alert. 2× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2017
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 221 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Mazda CX-9 year. 2012 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 36K to 83K miles on the car (170 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- brakes complaints mostly came at 38K–75K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 29K–109K miles
Recalls 4
- airbags 2019
These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 4 recalls
- suspension 2015
The affected vehicles have front suspension ball joints that may corrode from water leaking into the fitting.
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 291 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Clunk/bang noise during first forward movement after sitting
- In certain vehicles, within the engine harness, there are some abnormal electrical noises
- If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedInadvertent curtain air bag deployment2019–2021
- ClosedLower ball joint separation2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-9 SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Mazda CX-9 SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
At varying speeds, the brakes are very difficult to apply. When applied fully, a loud squealing can be heard from the dashboard area. The vehicle is currently at a service center for evaluation.
2012 Mazda CX-9 owner · NHTSA complaint 10703211
More owner reports
Vacuum leak on brake booster. Can hear the leak when depressing pedal. Becomes very hard when depressed fully and is hard to stop, this is a well documented problem.
NHTSA complaint 10694905
Brakes making hissing sound and the car suddenly stalled while waiting on a light. After sometime car started but brakes were hard and had to press really hard for car to stop.
NHTSA complaint 10746891
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 201; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mazda CX-9 year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2012 Mazda CX-9 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (81%), engine (11%) and transmission & drivetrain (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Mazda CX-9 have?
4 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 2012 Mazda CX-9 get?
19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2012 Mazda CX-9 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 36,600 and 83,100 miles. The middle report was at 58,000 miles, from 170 complaints.
Does the 2012 Mazda CX-9 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Mazda CX-9 cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Mazda CX-9 have?
3.7L 6-cyl.
What Mazda CX-9 year is better than the 2012?
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