10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,236 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Mazda CX-9 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Mazda CX-9 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Jun 102024

CX-9

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving the vehicle the brakes became hard to depress and a hissing came from my steering column, the car would not stop or respond to stop. I had to downshift to Neutral to get the speed slow enough to stop - and had passed through an intersection while in failure. I had also had symptoms I did not know at the time may be related which was at a stop at dunkins or a drive through at a stopped position - where the car would run rough the last few weeks. I thought the rough idle was gas related. I can no longer drive the vehicle and am told this is brake booster/pump issue / that other of the same parts in fords and other manufacturers are now extending customer sat programs like 13N02 because of faulty parts in the brake booster. the vehicle can be towed or seen for this problem. The vehicle has no existing coverage of the faulty brake booster. This is a car insured for my son [XXX][ to drive and It is a safety risk that this went while driving, i'm happy it was myself driving that day. Problem has been confirmed as a brake booster pump/booster failure by a service professional. No warning lights - just not able to stop the car when stepping on the brake. Thanks INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Thompson, CT, USA

problem #22

Feb 272021

CX-9

  • 225 miles
Sometimes the blind signal works sometimes it doesn't sometimes it blinks on the screen and when switching lanes, brakes keeps going out ball joint keeps popping hard shift or knock in reverse and when placed in park had repair done several times. Dvd wires keeps going out/shortage M. sometimes seat belt blinker work and sometimes it doesn't

- Hopkinsville, KY, USA

problem #21

Mar 032021

CX-9

  • miles
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

- Lacrescent, MN, USA

problem #20

Sep 112020

CX-9

  • 126,721 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving and all of a sudden I lost the pressure on my brake and my car wont stop. I had to depressed the brake so hard. Then I started hearing a hissing noise while stepping on the brake.

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #19

Jul 072019

CX-9

  • 76,000 miles
O was operating the vehicle and the brakes became spongy and failed to stop the vehicle unless I increased the effort to depress the brake pedal down. Foot has slipped on occasion causing my ankle to be struck on the pedal. I now down shift gears to slow the vehicle to assist in stopping while keeping even further back from vehicles in front of me. Currently, no recalls are out specifically for my VIN but the year make and model are consistent with the current recalls out for bad master brake cylinder and brake booster. Both of which have failed in my vehicle. I have contacted the gaithersburg md Mazda dealership and they insist the vehicle is not recalled and are suggesting I pay out of pocket for a known recall on these vehicles. Any assistance would be greatly appropriated. Thank you

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

problem #18

May 042019

CX-9 6-cyl

  • 136,493 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Cx-9. while exiting the highway and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact swerved to the right and struck a curb, which slowed the vehicle down. The contact quickly shifted into park. In addition, each time the brake pedal was depressed, the sound of blowing air was heard from the driver's side of the dashboard. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the ray skillman Mazda dealership, the vehicle was not physically diagnosed. The technicians verbally informed me immediately of brake booster failure based on the symptoms conveyed. The problem stemmed from a defective brake booster. I did contact the manufacturer (Mazda corporate office in California) prior to contacting the NHTSA. Mazda was uncooperative on any agreement of repairs due to the extended warranty period ending that I was unaware of." Due to the unethical standing of Mazda failing to issue a recall, myself and family were put in great danger when I experienced the brake failure. Had we been aware of the fact that Mazda knowingly discovered the manufacturer defect, I would have been proactive in addressing the issue prior to having an almost total life loss and vehicle damage. I requested to escalate my concerns, and spoke with a supervisor that suggested to have the vehicle diagnosed and stated they may or not agree to cover some if any of the charges. After my vehicle sat on the lot for 5 days as we tried to come to an agreement, Mazda agreed to cover 50% of the repair cost (parts, labor, and diagnostic fee.) in addition, the technicians also discovered an issue with the brake light not luminating on the dashboard. They determined also the brake light never came on which would have been an indicator of some sort of brake failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 136,493.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #17

Oct 012018

CX-9

  • 156,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Cx-9. while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle hesitated to stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the brake boosters failed and were leaking brake fluid from the master cylinder. The contact researched online and found an extended warranty for the Mazda Cx-9 vehicles. The dealer (morrie's inver grove Mazda, 10 mendota rd E, inver grove heights, mn 55077, (651) 691-4873) stated that there was an extended warranty specifically for the 2009 Mazda Cx-9 models, but it had expired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 156,000.

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #16

Oct 052017

CX-9 6-cyl

  • 126,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Cx-9. while driving various speeds, the brake pedal became difficult to depress without warning. The contact stated that the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard before stopping the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electronic brake booster failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The local dealer was not contacted. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000. Repaired 10/10/17

- Tiffin, OH, USA

problem #15

Mar 022017

CX-9

  • miles
Hard to push the brake pedals and always hear a hissing noise whenever stepping the brakes. It is a commonly known-problem with brake booster diaphragms, and Mazda agreed for "special service program" that extends the warranty coverage for repairing this condition to unlimited time and mileage, but I never received any notice. No incident yet, but almost crashed on freeway and at especially downhill stops several times. Need to be replaced by Mazda asap!

- Glendale, CA, USA

problem #14

Aug 292016

CX-9

  • 110,000 miles
Vehicle suddenly did not brake as expected. Brake pedal was hard to press and unresponsive. Brakes made noise while depressed. Vehicle was being driven at the time, and did not have the issue earlier in the day.

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

problem #13

Aug 012016

CX-9

  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brake hissing from pedal area and brakes are very hard to press. Difficult to stop vehicle without applying lots of pedal force until a certain point where booster starts working and vehicle stops quickly. Dangerous at first because vehicle doesn't seem to stop without a great deal of pedal force then suddenly stops quickly after more pedal travel. Also, engine runs rough when hissing sound is heard- probably due to loss of vacuum. Problem is at all speeds. It takes a great deal of distance to stop at higher speeds for emergency braking (very dangerous).

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #12

Jun 062016

CX-9

  • miles
I had to replace my tires because of the ball joints and causing my wheel to come off. My breaks sounds horrible even after I had them serviced if it rains really bad I get this cranking noise I have a weird sound to my vehicle right now coming from the front of the vehicle again and not sure what's the problem. I'm afraid to drive the vehicle to fast because I have children what's going on with this vehicle

- Coatesville, PA, USA

problem #11

Mar 232016

CX-9

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Cx-9. while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle decelerated independently and the ABS and tcs warning lights illuminated. As a result, the tires failed to function correctly. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, minutes later, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the pedal switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #10

Mar 102016

CX-9

  • 76,000 miles
While driving and coming to a stop, the brake pedal went real hard and car would not stop appropriately. This happened multiple times, checked the brake fluid is full as well as changed brakes themselves..problem still there and progressively worse, un drivable because of compromised braking. There is only 75K miles on this automobile. Having the car towed to local dealer, where I was told that Mazda has extended the warranty for braking system, which would take care of this problem as well as reimbursement for towing and expenses. This defect is very dangerouse, there was no warning, no warning light illuminated on the dash, I am very fortunate that this was caught before an accident occurred.

- Harrisburg, NC, USA

problem #9

Jan 062016

CX-9

  • 13,200 miles
Master cylinder leak causing the brake booster to go out as well. Suspension weak and rusty. Mazda refuses to address the problem.

- Fair Oaks, CA, USA

problem #8

May 012015

CX-9

  • 109,100 miles
The brakes are hard to depress and the car is difficult to stop. If I start the car and depress on the brakes at a standstill, the pedal fells hard and goes down really far will I hear a "whistling" sound and also a "hissing" like if air is escaping.

- Comerio, PR, USA

problem #7

May 092015

CX-9

  • 60,000 miles
My wife was driving our Cx-9 with our kids on Saturday when the brakes failed. This prevented her from braking at a red light. There were no dash warning lights prior to the incident. The brake fluid was at a recommended level since the vehicle is well maintained. We towed the vehicle to the local Mazda dealer (where we originally purchased the vehicle). On removal of the brake booster the Mazda dealership found the brake booster failed because it was full of brake fluid. On closer inspection they found the brake master cylinder was cracked which led to the brake booster filling up and causing the brakes to fail. They said the brake master cylinder was not covered under the factory recall since this issue only happens to 2010-2011 model year Cx-9's even though our 2008 Cx-9 exhibits the same exact brake master cylinder defect. The brake booster was covered under the factory recall (from Mazda notes: Perform manufacturers recall ssp93 power brake unit warranty). The only thing that prevented a major accident was this happened early on a Saturday morning with light traffic. If this would've happened Monday-Friday at the same time if would've been a severe accident since it's a very busy intersection during the work week. I truly believe this should be investigated for the 2008-2011 Mazda Cx-9's.

- Sparks, NV, USA

problem #6

Apr 202015

CX-9

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Cx-9. the contact stated that the brake pedal was difficult to depress. The contact had to shift the vehicle into park upon coming to a stop due to the failure. The contact also had to allow enough distance between other vehicles due to the brake pedal not completely stopping the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #5

Aug 042014

CX-9 6-cyl

  • 83,525 miles
I noticed that my brakes made a hissing sound at random times. Brakes would not work as usual. After "stomping" on brake, car continued to move for several feet.

- Cayey, PR, USA

problem #4

Jul 252013

CX-9

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda CX9. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The contact was able to safely pull over. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- Freemont, CA, USA

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