general problems of the 2008 Mazda CX9

13 problems related to steering have been reported for the 2008 Mazda CX9. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Mazda CX9 based on all problems reported for the 2008 CX9.

1 Steering problem

Failure Date: 10/10/2023

Once you get to 70mph it starts shaking like if a the wheels will fall off.

2 Steering problem

Failure Date: 03/11/2021

Lost control brakes failing and steering and wheel lc about to fall off dealerships saying recall was completed but it's definitely not.

3 Steering problem

Failure Date: 03/03/2021

My control arms bearings and joints are rusted and the dealership says they aren't covered they were fixed 5 years ago and they are definitely separated and hazardous.

4 Steering problem

Failure Date: 11/25/2019

Mazda cx-9 problem 130,000 miles-on November 25th, as I was dropping my children to their schools, the defrost suddenly stops working. I try to turn the fan/heater all the way, but to no avail. I had to use a towel to wipe the windshield. As I pulled into a curved side, the engine turns off, I turned the ignition key to off, then starts the engine again, and the engine light comes on. I pulled out and drove about six hundred feet and parked. I call a mechanic and I drove it again for a mile to the shop. He opens up the hood and pour in some coolant and all the coolant were on the floor. He immediately told me that coolant leaks and oil is probably mixed and causes the engine failure. He told me I had to change the engine, because fixing it will cost me over ten grand. I drove it home, then the following morning, I took to a different shop, they did the diagnosis and relate the same story that check codes showed three codes: p0016, crank position sensor correlation bank one sensor a. 1285 cylinder head over temperature, 1299 cylinder head temp protection. The codes indicate an overheat scenario that resulted in engine shut down. They check oil and found milky substance instead of oil. Pressure check for coolant leak pushed milky oil out of dipstick tube. Head gasket has failed due to overheating and the coolant has contaminated the engine oil. Their recommendation is to replace the engine, assembly and flush cooling system. Their total estimate is $10,900. I can't afford to pay for this service repair. I cannot even spend that much of money on another car. We bought this car thinking that it will take us for some time before we'll need another car. I contacted Mazda customer experience, and their response was, "wish there were never part failures", now, I'm stuck. So this is my story!!! safety issues: sudden engine shut off, defrost malfunction and steering wheel.

5 Steering problem

Failure Date: 12/18/2017

I had the recall done on the a arms and ball joints replaced and it's only been a year also the rear stablizer links have failed also again after factory replacement.

6 Steering problem

Failure Date: 07/30/2016

I had a recall notice about potential defect on the airbag system that can cause personal injury on my Mazda c-x 9 2008. I contacted the dealer close to my resident as prescribed on the recall notice. They said they will get back with me as soon as the parts are available. It has been more than 3 months and I have not got any response from the dealer. I will be very grateful to get a follow up to see that this my car is fixed. Thanks very much in advance.

7 Steering problem

Failure Date: 01/26/2016

I was making a left turn on a parking lot when I heard a loud crunch coming from the front of the vehicle and fully lost control of the car. When I came outside to see what happened I saw that ball joint on my front left (driver side) broke, the wheel with part of the axel fully out, and that break fluid was spoiled all over. Imagine this happening on the fighter when I was driving with two of my young kids!!.

8 Steering problem

Failure Date: 11/15/2015

While taking a right hand turn in the parking lot of logan airport, and travelling about 5-10 mph, my car made a loud noise and came to a sudden and abrupt halt. I stepped out of the car and discovered that the driver's side front tire had disconnected from the steering arm. The car was immobilized, and I was not able to move it out of the way of other traffic in the airport parking lot, causing chaos in the parking lot and causing them to temporarily shut down an entire floor of the parking lot while they struggled to tow the car out of the way. The car was subsequently towed to a Mazda dealership and the tire arms and ball joints were repaired pursuant to a recall (8515g). The front tires were also unevenly worn and replaced, very likely from the ball joint / steering arm issue, and cost $481. 55. Mazda would not reimburse for the tires because I could not locate receipts to prove I had rotated the tires at the appropriate intervals, specifically stating "our dealer was unable to confirm if the wearing of the tires were due to the recall item as there was no supporting documentation indicating the proper maintenance on the tires". I do not believe most people keep records of every oil change / tire rotation they have done, but the wear was very consistent with what would be expected for ball joint issues. Furthermore the car had been inspected by the state of massachusetts in the month of September, and no uneven wear was found at that time, giving further indication that the uneven wear was linked to the ball joint / tire rod issue. Fortunately this did not occur one day earlier while towing a boat on the highway with my disabled son, this could have easily been a multi fatality accident. I have literally had nightmares over this possibility. This is an extremely dangerous situation.

9 Steering problem

Failure Date: 09/23/2015

Was driving on neighborhood road, heading toward a state highway when all of the sudden a large boom occured and I lost total comtrol of the car and went up the curb and onto the sidewalk. I thought I'd blown a tire but got out and saw the entire wheel was disconnected - the suspension ruined. Would be happy to share pictures mechanic says ball joint, cv joint came completely off as well as brake fluid all over. I read online about similar issues and that NHTSA has an open investigation under NHTSA action number: pe15022. Consider this another case! I'm thankful there were no people that I swerved into when losing control! this is clearly a saftey hazard- ay least in states where salt is used on roads, like here in mn I expect mazada to take tesponsibility amd pay for these repairs please contact me with additional info or next steps. Thank you!.

10 Steering problem

Failure Date: 06/10/2015

08 Mazda cx-9 making loud noise underneath vehicle. Made a right turn(5mph) in residential area. While making the turn the left side suspension/steering came apart causing vehicle to come to a sudden stop. Vehicle was towed and later repaired at a firestone auto care. Vehicle needed repairs to control arm assembly(remove-replace f control arm/lower one side). . Left new cv complete assembly(remove/install f axle shaft assembly-left). Sway bar link(remove/replace f stabilizer bar control link-both). Replace front shock/strut assemly-both sides. Sudden stop also caused damage to left front tire that had to be replaced. Total amount of repairs $1,756. 96. Providing this information after reading on internet that NHTSA was investigating similar complaints involving this vehicle and front end problems.

11 Steering problem

Failure Date: 06/06/2015

On 06 June 2015 at approximately 1400 my wife was making a left hand turn through an intersection at approximately 15 mph. Near the end of the turn the front passenger wheel broke loose turning nearly 90 degrees to the right and jammed itself into the rear of the fender well. The car was immediately immobilized and came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the intersection. Looking at the damage it was obvious that the lower ball joint had failed and broke completely free. This caused the wheel to turn nearly 90 degrees to the right which subsequently ripped out the cv axle from the transmission. Had this occurred at highway speeds the results could have been deadly. The vehicle had to be towed to a repair facility where the control arm/ball joint assembly, the cv shaft, and sway bar link was replaced. There is also fender well and body damage that will have to be repaired. On 10 July 2015, I noticed an unusual instability while negotiating wide turns on the highway. It felt as if the vehicle had a wheel loose. While turning to the right, the vehicle would abruptly turn even sharper to right almost causing an unintentional lane change. After coming out of the turn I could feel the vehicle suddenly correct itself. Once I arrived at my residence I jacked up the front end of the vehicle to inspect the front wheels. The front passenger wheel seemed normal (was repaired in June 2015 as mentioned above). Much to my dismay when inspecting the front driver side wheel, I discovered that the ball joint on this side is now broke. It is not separated, but is clearly broken as evidenced by the excessive movement and clunking noise when moving the wheel from side to side as it is suspended above the ground from the car being on a jack. I will be having this repaired this week once parts arrive from the local Mazda dealer. Bottom line: I no longer feel safe in this vehicle.

12 Steering problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2008

2007, 2008 & 2009 Mazda Cx9 has steering problems. When you don't hold it tightly, the car will veer to the left 80% of the time and 20% to the right. The car will not go straight at any speeds and on even pavements such as a car park.

13 Steering problem

Failure Date: 11/05/2007

From day 1 the car has been road-crazy. . . You have to continually correct to left and right. . . Dealership says from "crown in the road". . . . Have had it re-aligned numerous times. . Has 25k now and front tires are nearly worn out. . . Has 20" wheels (which they no longer offer as option).


Other Steering related problems of the 2008 Mazda CX9


CX9 Service Bulletins
CX9 Safety Recalls
CX9 Defect Investigations