Makes›Mazda›CX-9›2012

2012 Mazda CX-9

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Mazda CX-9
Pictured: Mazda CX-9 (TC) 1X7A0316. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD GT, 4dr SUV FWD Gs
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
19 combined · 17 city / 24 hwy
Length
200.4 in
Curb weight
4,319–4,533 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 18 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Mazda CX-9 is a SUV - offered with a 3.7L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 200 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,533 lb (4dr SUV AWD GT).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (17 city / 24 highway), 9% worse than the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.

What changed for 2012

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 CX-9 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 CX-9 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD GT200.4 in76.4 in68.1 in113.4 in65.4 / 65 in4,533 lb58/42
4dr SUV FWD Gs200.4 in76.4 in68.1 in113.4 in65.4 / 65 in4,319 lb55/45

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CX-9 2WD3.7L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 19-9%$3,550468
CX-9 4WD3.7L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 190%$3,550468
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.9 MPG2012 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Mazda CX-9.

Similar 2012 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Mazda CX-9 (this car)19 MPGNot rated4
2012 Ford Explorer23 MPGNot rated5
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe21 MPGNot rated4
2012 Ford Expedition16 MPGNot rated3
2012 Nissan Pathfinder17 MPGNot rated2
2012 Dodge Durango19 MPGNot rated10
2012 Honda Pilot20 MPGNot rated9

Recalls (4)

Safety advisory: 3 recalls for this model year carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Oct 31, 2019 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 19V782000 · 69,879 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V356 and 17V012.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Oct 12, 2018 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 18V717000 · 155,436 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jul 18, 2017 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 17V457000 · 79,402 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2012 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2007-2008 CX-7 and CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 17V-012.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint · Jul 20, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V451000 · 193,484 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 CX-9 vehicles manufactured October 24, 2006, to December 28, 2013. The affected vehicles have front suspension ball joints that may corrode from water leaking into the fitting.
Risk
Over time, the ball joint corrosion may result in the front lower control arm separating from the ball joint, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both the left and right lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. The recall will begin with model year 2007-2009 vehicles registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The second phase will be for model year 2010-2014 vehicles in the same states. Finally, all remaining vehicles will be remedied. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 8515G.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Mazda CX-9 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

188Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
7Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
8Injuries reported
62,133 miTypical mileage at failure
Service Brakes113
Air Bags23
Engine18
Power Train14
Suspension9
Vehicle Speed Control8
Unknown Or Other6
Steering5
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/01: 220/04: 220/06: 120/07: 520/08: 120/09: 320/10: 320/11: 120/12: 121/02: 121/04: 121/08: 121/10: 222/01: 222/03: 122/06: 122/08: 222/10: 123/02: 223/07: 223/09: 124/09: 125/02: 125/06: 120/0120/0720/1021/0221/1022/0623/0224/09max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Mazda CX-9 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Service Brakes — 113 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  4. Air Bags — 23 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  5. Engine — 18 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 62,133 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Mazda CX-9. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other CX-9 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2023 CX-923199.6 in★★★★★013
2022 CX-923199.6 in★★★★★011
2021 CX-924199.6 in★★★★★140
2020 CX-924199.6 in★★★★★119
2019 CX-924199.6 in★★★★★253
2018 CX-924199.6 in★★★★★2128
2017 CX-924199.6 inNot rated061
2016 CX-924199.6 inNot rated0107
2015 CX-919201.2 inNot rated235
2014 CX-919201.2 inNot rated353
2013 CX-919201.2 inNot rated458
2011 CX-919200.4 inNot rated4138

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mazda. How we calculate this →