1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
95,265 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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

problem #25

Oct 102023

CX-9

  • miles

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

Once you get to 70mph it starts shaking like if a the wheels will fall off.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #24

Mar 112021

CX-9

  • 235 miles
Knock or hard shift in park as well as in reverse keeps burning oil had everything flushed replaced all fluids valve cover gaskets spark plugs etc

- Hopkinsville, KY, USA

problem #23

Sep 172020

CX-9

  • 108,000 miles
Known issue of transfer case mechanical failure in all Cx-9 models from 2007-2015. Transfer case is too close to exhaust causing the oil to dry up. Transfer case explodes causing the vehicle to lock up while driving. Known issue that has cause many accidents.

- Emmaus, PA, USA

problem #22

Aug 052020

CX-9

  • miles

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

I noticed in the last almost year a strange vibration in the SUV when I turn, as time went on it got louder. I had couple other parts replaced throughout this time thinking that was the issue. I than find out recently it was the read repeller shaft and another part which connects to the engine also part of the drive shaft. Noise occurs with driving I noticed after searching it is common with this SUV

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #21

Jun 192020

CX-9 6-cyl

  • 146,000 miles
When driving vehicle a severe shuddering vibration and loud noise emanated from front end of vehicle, as if front axel was going to fall off. Happened three times so far. Once to my wife, once to me, and once to the mechanic. Very frightening each time, causing drivers to pull over and turn off vehicle. Then vehicle drives ok for a while. Happened while driving straight forward. Mechanic states it is a failed power transfer unit. Mechanic's research indicated it is a big problem in Mazda Cx-9 vehicles, and a class action lawsuit was filed and resulted in a settlement. As far as I can tell that settlement does not cover my vehicle year (2008), and is limited to vehicles manufactured after 2010, and which meet certain specifications. Mechanic estimates repair will run in the $1100-$1500 range. Wondering if I have any recourse with regard to this problem and the fact that it seems a manufacturing defect rather then normal wear and tear.

- Leavenworth, WA, USA

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problem #20

May 052019

CX-9

  • 104,000 miles
When accelerating after driving for a few minutes maybe 10-15 after the vehicle has had time to warm up, as I am applying pressure to the gas pedal and it is shifting into gears (usually into gears 3,4, & 5) the vehicle is showing that it is into the next gear but you feel it shift after the fact so it is delayed and as accelerating it feels as though it is lagging and trying to shift but can't fully right away. I am only submitting this complaint because I know a couple others with this make of vehicle but different years and they stated they have the same issue with their vehicle as well

- Manchester, NH, USA

problem #19

Jul 122019

CX-9

  • 117,000 miles

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

Car make weird vibration noise in the back end. Went to different mechanics and it's a transfer case and driveshaft issue.. looks the problem is in design. Mazda recalled the transfer case from 2010 model and later but not before. Since the same part is used in earlier models requesting recall on earlier models too. I went to 4 different transmission shops and everyone told me that each and every Mazda Cx-9 comes to them has same issue. Called dealership and they said the extended warranty is after 2010. They have same parts and I or other owners can't afford the repair and it's a manufacturing fault. Looking forward to get help from NHTSA

- Port Jefferson St, NY, USA

problem #18

Feb 012019

CX-9 6-cyl

  • 161,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Cx-9. while driving various speeds, the contact smelled fumes. There were no warning indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the transfer case needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 161,000. Consumer stated due to the transfer case going bad, it caused transmission to go bad. Consumer was told to bring vehicle to the dealer, smell is on going.

- Nanuet, NY, USA

problem #17

Jun 292018

CX-9

  • 3 miles
After changing gears, 4th to 6th, the car start making hard shifting, ratling. This sound, goes and came in time to time.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #16

May 112017

CX-9

  • 141,000 miles
In motion, after accelerating, I let up off the gas after reaching 60mph on the freeway and there is a clunking sound accompanied with a jerk coming from the rear end of the vehicle. After slowing, when I lightly step on the gas to maintain a speed it has the clunking sound accompanied by a jerk as well.

- Olympia, WA, USA

problem #15

Feb 092017

CX-9

  • 180,000 miles

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

I was driving my 2008 Mazda Cx-9 and the car was smelling like it was burning and then it sounded like a pile of rocks being tossed around. I pulled over to the side of the road and the car came to an abrupt stop and smoke came from underneath the hood. I had it towed to a repair shop and was told the transfer case went out and messed up the transmission. After doing research on the internet I found out this is a common problem that Mazda has known about for some time and has failed to notify the customer. This problem has apparently caused vehicles to catch fire while driving. After contacting Mazda they say they extended the warranty to 90,000 miles because of this problem but hasn't notified the owners of the vehicle. Mazda says it hasn't been recalled because it isn't a safety issue (which I disagree with, it could cause great harm or death) and it hasn't been reported enough. Mazda said they would not replace the transfer case nor the labor or transmission. I believe this should be recalled since apparently it's happening in all Cx-9 vehicles between certain years. It's a defective part, nothing I did and I am left to pay to fix a problem that Mazda knows is their fault.

- East Petersburg, PA, USA

problem #14

Feb 232017

CX-9

  • 120,000 miles
The power transfer unit (ptu), aka transfer case on my 2008 Cx-9 broke, which subsequently destroyed a perfectly good transmission. The ptu is poorly designed and improperly fitted to the Cx-9 and there are hundreds if not thousands of cases of the exact same problem in any Mazda user forum. My Mazda is only used for commuting and common street use. I noticed a toxic smell of burning transfer case oil on the exhaust, which filled the cabin. The rear wheels would no longer drive the car. Mazda has not recalled this part, and even worse they have used it in all AWD Cx-9 models from 2007-2009. It is simply not designed to handle the weight and power of this vehicle, and is "sealed" from the factory with "lifetime oil" that breaks down over time. Mazda usa has extended the warranty of this part, noted in the ssp92 warranty extension. But my car, which I've owned and serviced regularly at Mazda dealers, has 120,000 miles and Mazda refused to offer any partial assistance to replace mine, or repair the transmission that was subsequently destroyed. This is a problem worthy of a recall or class-action lawsuit. It creates a dangerous situation where the rear wheels no longer receive drive, oil from the failed ptu leaks directly on exhaust causing noxious fumes in the cabin, and at worst can lock-up rear wheels if the system were to seize. My repair from a Mazda dealer totaled more than $3,600 which is more than 1/3 the value of the car.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #13

Jan 312017

CX-9

  • 110,000 miles
2008 Cx-9 with 110,000 miles transfer case failure with probable damage to transmission. Prognosis was made during repair of leaking rear axel seals when mechanic noticed "chunks of metal" in the the transfer case.

- Bemidji, MN, USA

problem #12

May 302016

CX-9

  • 140,000 miles
Vehicle is AWD. In May 2016, tcs & ABS dash lights came on as well as the depiction of a vehicle skidding. Brought to my local mechanic who said he was getting fault codes but could not diagnose. Suggested we go to the dealer. Went to local Mazda dealer who diagnosed that both the transfer case and transmission gears were stripped, that the vehicle was now operating in 2 wheel drive and that the ABS was not functioning because of these issues. Dealer quoted $8,136 to fix. We assumed there must be some recall on this issue but could not find one. We then brought to a local transmission expert who opened it up and described same problem. Stripped gears on both transmission and transfer case. He called dealership parts dept. And said they had several of the major parts he needed to repair. He thought was a sign that dealer was seeing many of these same problems as these were not parts a dealer would typically stock. I discovered many similar complaints on line. Some noted Mazda recalled 2010 and newer for the same problem. Also said it may be a onboard computer issue that caused the rapid wear of the transfer case and transmission. Very concerned that Mazda is putting this on the consumer when it seems very likely to be some design or manufacturing defect.

- Marshfield, MA, USA

problem #11

May 122016

CX-9

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Cx-9. the contact smelled burning rubber and heard a clicking sound when driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

- Shaker Height, OH, USA

problem #10

Jan 012016

CX-9

  • 139,000 miles
I have a 2008 Mazda Cx-9 with 139,000 miles on it. The transfer case has destroyed the transmission. The transmission was compromised by the faulty transfer case over a period time. I've done extensive research on this and this is absolutely a known issue that the transfer case is ruining these transmissions. I've also discovered that the Mazda dealerships in my area are selling upwards of 4 transfer cases per week and often out of stock due to this replacement of the faulty transfer case coming out of the factory. I cannot understand why Mazda hasn't sent out a bulletin to it's valued customers regarding this. I can only imagine the lack of transparency on this is due to the large financial impact it may have. I am contacting you to request that you take this issue to whomever can help resolve my case and provide significant financial assistance towards the replacement of my transmission and faulty transfer case. I've been told that Mazda apparently has a "software update" that would fix this issue - but I find it impossible to believe as I have never received any notification of this being an issue or any software update to fix this faulty transfer case. I find it hard to believe that a software upgrade is going to fix a mechanical issue and cannot find any evidence of this "software" update being legitimate. Mazda supposedly makes a quality product and supposedly cares about customer loyalty and service. I would say that not telling your customers about a faulty part (know issue on factory transfer case) that destroys the transmission and causes significant financial hardship is not fair or reasonable customer service.

- Kensington, NH, USA

problem #9

Dec 292015

CX-9

  • 89,645 miles
Front axle fell off the car. Could hear strange noise when backing up. Put in park in driveway and the car started to roll backwards. Pulled over to sidewalk and applied emergency brake. Called tow truck and axle was found under the car.

- Norwood, MA, USA

problem #8

Dec 012015

CX-9

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Cx-9. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The front driver and passenger wheels spun, but failed to move the vehicle. The vehicle was brought to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #7

Oct 022015

CX-9

  • 80,000 miles
Transfer case failure which can cause transmission failure. Found during recent inspection. Looks the problem is in design. Mazda recalled the transfer case from 2010 model and later but not before. Since the same part is used in earlier models requesting recall on earlier models too.

- Bothell, WA, USA

problem #6

Jul 012015

CX-9

  • 101,000 miles
Gear oil leaking out of the transfer case vent tube. This is not a normal function. Only way to check level is to remove fill plug and stick finger in. The only safe way to get to this is putting vehicle up on a lift. Researched online and many others are having similar issues. If not caught right away transfer case can fail along with transmission. There is no info on changing this oil at certain intervals. Failure of these two components can happen while driving and could result in injury. I think this should be looked into.

- Lathrop, CA, USA

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