2012 Mazda CX-9 Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

25Engine complaints

11.3%Of all 221 complaints

#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

SERVICE BRAKES139 · 62.9%

ENGINE25 · 11.3%

AIR BAGS23 · 10.4%

POWER TRAIN18 · 8.1%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11 · 5%

Share of the 221 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Mazda CX-9 overview page.

What owners report

“PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM DAVIS MOORE MAZDA- WICHITA, KS. FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ENGINE STALLS AS WELL AS COMPLETE…”NHTSA complaint 10991116 — filed 05/23/2017

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD METAL TO METAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE…”NHTSA complaint 10899636 — filed 08/30/2016

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED DIFFICULTY IN DECELERATING. THE CONTACT HAD TO…”NHTSA complaint 10595535 — filed 06/02/2014

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Mazda CX-9 have engine problems?

Engine is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Mazda CX-9: 25 of 221 complaints on file (11.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 Mazda CX-9 have in total?

221 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 9 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, 8 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.