Bought this car used, and the first day took it to a local store to get groceries. Hear a humming noise when shifting and coasting. Took it to the dealer the next day, was told it was a bad transfer case. Fortunately, was covered in the recall and therefore didn't have to shell out $1400.

Googled this problem and realized this is a common issue with these cars since they are using the transfer case from the Ford Edge. The engine is the same as the V6 Mustang (even the Mazda guys don't know that). I bought it knowing that the V6 Mustang engine is reliable, but not knowing that the Ford Edge transfer case is a PITA. Car drives fine since (knock on wood). But I am worried about the future. Drove it in the snow this year and it drove OK. I would buy this car again, though it will have to be new and with an extended warranty. (hate the speakers in the car BTW).

bought a used 2010 mazda cx9 on june 20 2012. cx9 was running fine until my first snow storm in ct on feb7 2013. cx9 has new tires and the streets were plowed at the time. the cx9 for some reason didnt want to pull up to my drive way the 4x4 indicator started to flash and the car seemed to lose power and didnt want to move. the all wheel drive system was not working cause only the front 2 tires where spinnning. went to the mazda dealer and was told that there is a bulletin number sb-03-005-11 on file for that issue but that a loaner tool was needed from the mother store part# puma2vci-l to upgrade the computer firmware. so i left the mazda dealer with nothing done . mine you the dealer is in nj and i live in ct. i went back home and on my way up my drive way the car started to do the same thing again. i called the mazda dealer again and the service manager gave me a appointment for 2/21/2013. he said that i would have to leave the vehicle because he had numerous cx9 with the same problem before and that the cause was a bad transfer case. i ask him why he didnt tell me this before. his remark was that he didnt have a loner car to give me. and that he has to do a computer firmware update first when loaner tool arrives. i ask him if the firmware fixed the problems on the other cx9 he said not exactly .but that this had to be done before the transfer case replacement per mazda protacall. my cx9 only has 48000 miles on it .p.s the truck runs find when no snow on the ground because only front tires are rotating. but when the computer detects snow or slippery conditions if your truck has a flahing 4x4 indicator that means their is someting wrong with the transfer case and you should take it to your mazda dealer as soon as possible remember the warranty for powertrain is only 60,000 miles. i will get back to you guys as soon as my cx9 is done.