I own a 2008 Mazda CR-9 whose left front wheel fell off the axle while pulling into driveway backwards (with my child in the car) with front wheels turned left. It made a loud noise and I was unable to move the car or turn the wheels. I called for a tow to Virginia Tire and Auto and they diagnosed the left ball joint broken which caused the axle to come out - irreversibly damaging both items so they had to be completely replaced for $1,131.42!. I kept the damaged LF lower control arm for proof and have enclosed two pictures I took.

I want to stress that 5 days earlier, I drove the Mazda to Ocean City, a three hour drive. Had the ball joint broken during highway driving - my whole family could have been killed. This is not a situation to be taken lightly and I would like to hear from Mazda (wrote separate letter) since complaints posted on carcomplaints.com indicate that there have been six (6) similar complaints made since May 2015 indicating there is an investigation under way. These complaints all indicate that the six owners of the 2007-2008 Mazda CX-9 say the lower ball joints "separate in the front suspension and cause the front wheel to dislodge from the car".

As of October 2013, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into reports of lower ball joints breaking (suspension problems). I sincerely hope that Mazda will recall all the 54.000 cars which could be affected and compensate the owners of the vehicles which had the wheel fall off while the car was moving. This could be a life and death situation and not taken lightly.

Update from Jul 17, 2015: Please respond to my written complaint of July 15, 2015 on 2008 Mazda CX-9 in which I detailed the broken ball joint and having to replace the axle as well as ball joint for over $1000. What should I do next?

Laila: alo9242007@gmail.com