What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mazda CX-9?

Suspension is named most often, with 55 complaints. Brakes come next with 30.

Does the 2008 Mazda CX-9 have recalls?

Yes. The by-year fact lists 5 recalls. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.

What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Mazda CX-9?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the figures.

Is the 2008 Mazda CX-9 reliable?

Owners filed 172 complaints with NHTSA. These reports are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so read them with the crash ratings and year comparison on this page.

Is 2008 a good year for the Mazda CX-9?

See the by-year comparison section on this page, which compares complaints and recalls across years.

2008 Mazda CX-9 Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 172 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Mazda CX-9^[1]. Suspension is the group named most often^[2].

172owner complaints^[1]

5recalls^[3]

17–18MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners name most often, biggest first.

Suspension. 55 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe worn or broken ball joints, leaking struts, and a car that wanders and needs constant steering correction. Some say a front wheel came loose from the car.
Brakes. 30 complaints^[5]. Owners describe a pedal that feels soft, longer stopping distances, and a warning light that stays on. Some say the brake booster failed.
Air Bags. 28 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a passenger air bag light that stays lit and a crash where the bags did not open. Others write about waiting for parts for a recall repair.
Power Train. 27 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a drive shaft that failed early, a shake when pressing the gas, and an oil leak at the engine.
Steering. 19 complaints^[8].
Wheels. 16 complaints^[9].
Electrical System. 13 complaints^[10].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2008 CX-9 is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V782), October 2019. About 69,879 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[11]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V457), July 2017. About 79,402 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V429), June 2017. About 205,377 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint (15V451), July 2015. About 193,484 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of steering, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash (09V066), February 2009. About 30,600 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
CX-9 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	16 / 22 / 18	$3,700
CX-9 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[16]	15 / 21 / 17	$3,950

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD/AWD^[17]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	14.3%

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
CX-9 4DR SUV FWD GS/GT^[18]	200 in	76 in	68 in	113 in	4,312 lb

How 2008 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each CX-9 model year. The 2008 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2007	86	5
2008	172	5
2009	59	6
2010	195	6
2011	170	4
2012	221	4
2013	68	4
2014	54	3
2015	35	2
2016	107	0
2017	61	0
2018	128	2
2019	53	2
2020	19	1
2021	40	1
2022	11	0
2023	13	0

NHTSA's counts for the CX-9 show 172 complaints and 5 recalls for 2008^[3]. Among the 17 model years listed, 14 have fewer complaints than 2008 and 2 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2022 (11) and the most are for 2012 (221)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2008 CX-9?

The 2008 CX-9 has 172 complaints on file^[1]. Suspension leads the list^[2], and owners describe a wheel coming loose, which is a serious thing to watch for. Brakes and air bags follow^[5]^[6]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. Recalls also exist for this year^[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mazda CX-9?: Suspension is named most often, with 55 complaints^[2]. Brakes come next with 30^[5].
Does the 2008 Mazda CX-9 have recalls?: Yes. The by-year fact lists 5 recalls^[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Mazda CX-9?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the figures.
Is the 2008 Mazda CX-9 reliable?: Owners filed 172 complaints with NHTSA^[1]. These reports are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so read them with the crash ratings and year comparison on this page.
Is 2008 a good year for the Mazda CX-9?: See the by-year comparison section on this page, which compares complaints and recalls across years.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Mazda CX-9

2008 this page
2010 195 complaints, 6 recalls
2011 170 complaints, 4 recalls
2012 221 complaints, 4 recalls
2013 68 complaints, 4 recalls
2014 54 complaints, 3 recalls
2015 35 complaints, 2 recalls
2016 107 complaints, 0 recalls
2017 61 complaints, 0 recalls
2018 128 complaints, 2 recalls
2019 53 complaints, 2 recalls
2020 19 complaints, 1 recall
2021 40 complaints, 1 recall
2022 11 complaints, 0 recalls
2023 13 complaints, 0 recalls

Compare all model years of the Mazda CX-9

Other Mazda models from 2008

2008 Mazda 3 303 complaints, 2 recalls
2008 Mazda Tribute 202 complaints, 4 recalls

All Mazda models

Similar cars from 2008: suvs

2008 Subaru Tribeca 30 complaints, 9 recalls
2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara 42 complaints, 2 recalls
2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser 124 complaints, 9 recalls
2008 Toyota Highlander 602 complaints, 12 recalls
2008 Toyota Land Cruiser 8 complaints, 5 recalls
2008 Toyota Sequoia 67 complaints, 8 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 172 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Mazda CX-9 (10 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
55 complaints name the suspension component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 107,300). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda CX-9 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for CX-9 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
30 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,087). NHTSA vehicle records
28 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 120,000). NHTSA vehicle records
27 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 106,000). NHTSA vehicle records
19 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 104,000). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the wheels component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 118,000). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 106,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 19V782, filed October 31, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V457, filed July 18, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V429, filed June 29, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V451, filed July 20, 2015: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint. NHTSA recall database
Recall 09V066, filed February 23, 2009: Electrical System › Wiring › Interior / Under Dash. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for CX-9 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CX-9 4DR SUV FWD GS/GT: length 200 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,312 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2008 Mazda CX-9: problems, recalls and fuel economy