2007 Mazda CX-9 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2007 CX-9 most often describe front suspension failures, especially the lower ball joint separating and letting a front wheel come loose, typically during low-speed turns but occasionally at highway speed. The second recurring theme is the passenger-side Takata air bag inflator recall, where many owners report long waits for parts, and a smaller but consistent group describes ignition coil misfires and power control module (PCM) failures that leave the vehicle running rough or without power.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Front lower ball joint separation / wheel coming loose

   • 29 complaints (34%)
   • median 94,500 mi at 8.7 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2018

   Owners describe a loud pop or bang from the front end, usually while turning at low speed, followed by loss of steering control and a wheel sitting at an odd angle or no longer attached. Repairs commonly involve the lower control arm and ball joint, and often the axle shaft, tie rods, sway bar links, strut or fender because the wheel drops onto those parts. Several owners say a mechanic had recently checked or aligned the front end and found nothing wrong beforehand; one notes a recall repair was completed and a similar noise later returned. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 135,000 miles, frequently during low-speed turns into driveways or parking lots, with a few at highway speed.

   Recall 15V451000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 15V451000 was performed and when the front lower control arms and ball joints were last inspected or replaced; have a shop check both sides for play or corrosion before driving, since owners report failures with little warning.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was pulling into a driveway and my Mazda cx 9 came to a sudden stop. When I got out of the car I realized that the suspension broke and the front drivers side wheel was no longer attached to the bearing. The car was not drivable and had to be towed...updated 08-12-15 the consumer stated the part was replaced. Updated 08/25/15”

   NHTSA complaint #10726480, filed 2015-06, 80,000 miles

   “I purchased the 2007 Mazda CX-9, from a used car dealership, and had it less than 24 hours, and as I was turning into my work place the ball joint on the front driver side broke. I was lucky it hadn't happened on the highway when I was going 70 MPH . The dealership I bought it from was nice and fixed my vehicle free of charge.”

   NHTSA complaint #10732154, filed 2015-07, 130,273 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Misfire, ignition coil failure and PCM problems

   • 8 complaints (9%)
   • median 106,250 mi at 7.6 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2011–2016

   Owners describe the engine light coming on and the vehicle suddenly running as if it were down a cylinder, stuttering and losing power on the highway. Diagnoses reported include multiple misfire codes, failed ignition coils and a power control module (PCM) that needed replacement; some owners say a coil failed again shortly after replacement and that the PCM had to be replaced a second time. One owner says a Mazda bulletin on the PCM and ignition coil issue was identified by an independent mechanic. Mostly reported between about 90,000 and 130,000 miles, though one complaint came at roughly 35,000 miles; often at highway speed.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask for service records showing whether ignition coils and the PCM have been replaced, and have a scan tool check for stored misfire codes on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving on the williamsburg bridge there was a slight incline during this time the vehicle was trying to accelerate and that's when it started loosing power and started misfiring. Fortunately, this happened very early in the morning and there were no vehicles except mine. When I got to the other side of the bridge I got off the expressway immediately.”

   NHTSA complaint #10408255, filed 2011-06, 34,543 miles

   “I have only had this car for one year. I bought it used and have had the same problem now 3 times and since I have not had it fixed at a Mazda dealership because I am sorry I do not have the $$$ for this and I brought it to my own mechanic, Mazda will not stand by this. The ignition coils have all been replaced now as well as the PCM and now I am told it needs the PCM to be replaced again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10909928, filed 2016-09, 128,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Takata passenger air bag inflator recall, parts unavailable

   • 17 complaints (20%)
   • median 81,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2020

   Owners describe receiving recall notices warning that no one should sit in the front passenger seat until the inflator is replaced, while dealers and the manufacturer say parts are not yet available. Some report being told the wait could be long and that no nearby dealer could perform the work, leaving the passenger seat unusable in the meantime. Other complaints describe air bags deploying without a crash, including a driver's air bag that deployed while the vehicle was parked. Reported across a wide mileage range, most often from about 40,000 to 95,000 miles, with notices arriving years after the vehicle was sold.

   Recall 19V782000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 17V457000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 17V429000 · DO NOT DRIVE3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check with a dealer by VIN whether the passenger inflator recalls (17V429000, 17V457000, 19V782000) are open and whether a free replacement inflator is in stock; confirm before planning to carry a front passenger.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall: got letter stating no one should ride in front passenger seat until repair done. Yet repair may not be done for 10-15 years!!!!!!! I called russell Mazda in catonsville, md & they concurred. This is ridiculous: I have five people needing to be in the car: how can we not use the front seat for 10-15 years?”

   NHTSA complaint #10894276, filed 2016-08, 120,000 miles

   “On the afternoon of november 4th, 2012 while operating my Mazda at approximately 20 MPH, smoke started coming from the steering wheel. I pulled to the side of the road and came to a complete stop. Fearful for what was causing the smoke, I exited the vehicle. As I closed the door, the driver's airbag deployed. Two minutes later, the horn sounded for about a minute and then shut off. Smoke continued to billow inside the vehicle for approximately 20 minutes. I had the vehicle towed to the local Mazda dealership. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10483928, filed 2012-11, 44,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Hard brake pedal / loss of power assist

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • median 83,213 mi at 7.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2011–2015

   Owners describe a hissing or air sound when pressing the brake pedal, followed by a pedal that is extremely hard and brakes that barely respond, sometimes with the brakes dragging. In several complaints the cause was traced to the power brake booster, leaving the driver to pump the pedal and downshift to stop. One owner reports finding a VIN-specific extended warranty or service program on this symptom that did not cover their vehicle. Mostly reported between about 68,000 and 122,000 miles, without warning lights beforehand.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for a hiss near the pedal with the engine running and brake held, and ask whether the brake booster or its check valve has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle's braking system had been functioning normally with the exception of the sound of a hissing when applying the brake when stopped at a red light. I stopped to get gas on may 3rd, 2015 and upon restarting the vehicle, the power assist on my brakes was gone. Upon doing some research, I discovered that Mazda had issued a special service recall that was VIN specific on this exact issue; however, my VIN # was not included therefore I was never notified. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10721489, filed 2015-05, 122,000 miles

   “On friday, october 18th 2013 I was involved in a near accident on my way home from work on interstate 99 off the 17th street exit near altoona pa. The brake system failed as I tried to come to a stop on the exit ramp. I placed my foot on the brake pedal and noticed I was not stopping. I could hear a hissing/air sound when I pressed down on the brake pedal. I had to pump the brakes, gear the car down in manual, and swerve off the road to avoid crashing into the car that was stopped in front of me. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10552870, filed 2013-11, 83,213 miles

Buying note. On a 2007 CX-9, have the front suspension inspected closely and confirm the outstanding recalls were completed by VIN, since the suspension and air bag notices are the most common themes in owner complaints. Ask for records on ignition coils, the PCM and the brake booster, and budget for possible front-end work given the typical mileage on these vehicles.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.