The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Cx-9. while driving 50 mph, there was a noticeable shake and the steering wheel felt loose. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure could be related to NHTSA campaign number: 15V451000 (suspension). The contact received a recall notification; however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Devils Lake, ND, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Cx-9. the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V451000 (suspension) however, the dealer and the manufacturer declined to remedy the recall repair. The contact was informed by the manufacturer that the vehicle had not reached the inspection threshold for immediate repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Hudson, WI, USA

Left lower control arm ball joint fail and ripped left cv axel. Right side ball joint was loose and right lower control arm was replaced, at the moment the car still cant do tight turn without clicking noise. Left lower control arm was replaced complete with ball joint

- Hammond, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Cx-9. the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V451000 (suspension); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Cx-9. the contact stated that while driving approximately 62 mph, the vehicle veered to the left and right independently. The failure also occurred while driving at lower speeds. The failure became progressively worse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed that the front driver's and passenger's side lower balls joints needed to be replaced. In addition, both front passenger and driver side wheel bearers required replacement. The failure caused severe damage to both front tires and two set of tires were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,100.

- Bourbon, MO, USA

As I was turning right to exit a parking lot there was a loud noise from the front of my 2008 Mazda Cx-9 and I was unable to move the steering wheel or move the vehicle forward. I exited the vehicle to see what may have caused it and observed that my front driver's side tire was misaligned. Upon further inspection I discovered metal shavings and a large metal object hanging down from the bottom of the vehicle, appearing to block the tire rim. A tow truck was called and the vehicle was transported to a mechanic, where they determined the two lower ball joints were broken and needed to be replaced.

- Waukee, IA, USA

Was driving on neighborhood road, heading toward a state highway when all of the sudden a large boom occurred and I lost total control of the car and went up the curb and onto the sidewalk. I thought I'd blown a tire but got out and saw the entire wheel was disconnected - the suspension ruined. Would be happy to share pictures mechanic says ball joint, cv joint came completely off as well as brake fluid all over. I read online about similar issues and that NHTSA has an open investigation under NHTSA action number: PE15022. Consider this another case! I'm thankful there were no people that I swerved into when losing control! this is clearly a safety hazard- ay least in states where salt is used on roads, like here in mn I expect Mazda to take responsibility and pay for these repairs please contact me with additional info or next steps. Thank you! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Forest Lake, MN, USA

A very frightening incident occurred Saturday August 29, 2015 approx 6:45 P.M. after a round trip travel on the highway for approx 80 miles. I drove just over a mile off the highway exit, came to a stop sign light then proceeded with a right turn. Suddenly without any previous warning the car made a jerking/skidding type movement, something seemed to drop out of the front end and the car came abruptly to a stop. Several people pulled over to see if I and my one month old granddaughter were ok as I was at a very busy intersection. A bystander told me that the drivers front tire was facing out to the left of the vehicle and there was considerable damage under the car as well. It is my understanding that the ball joint separated, the shaft or axle may have broken, and there may be other severe damage as there was also oil on the road. My tire was as mentioned. It is also noted that I am unable to completely open my drivers door door now possibly due to body misalignment now. I have pictures of any visible damage to the car. I am appalled after researching this problem that Mazda will be conducting a recall in September but has yet to send out notices to customers. In fact a second notice will eventually come out when parts are available. Had I not just come off the highway my car would have definitely flipped over and my granddaughter and I would have been killed. This is 1000% unacceptable. I want action now. I don't know what the extent of damage is to the car, nor do I want the car repaired, instead I want Mazda to replace it! not only I have experienced much anxiety from this I am also incurring tow charges, storage charges and rental car charges. I was advised to have an independent mechanic look at the vehicle before sending to Mazda but that would entail another tow charge and mechanic fee. None of which I can afford. Mazda must take immediate action.

- North Easton, MA, USA

This is a 2008 Cx-9 grand touring AWD that was going northbound on Indiana highway 31 and then made a U-turn to go southbound. As the car speed got up to 35mph going southbound, there was a sudden jerk and loud noise and in the front of the car and felt like it was dragging on something. The car became very difficult to maneuver but was able to pull to the side of the road. Luckily there wasn't any other cars or traffic around us at the time of incident. When I got out to inspect the car, I noticed that the passenger side tire was turned outward at a 90 deg angle and the lower ball joint was completely detached. The car was no longer drivable and had to be towed.

- Columbus, IN, USA

Lower ball joint failure: While driving at slow speed on a residential side street, the lower ball joint on the front drivers side broke while going around a right hand turn, causing the car to skid on the then partially attached front drivers side tire and then skidded to a stop. The vehicle was then towed because it could not be driven.

- Valley Park, MO, USA

2008 Mazda Cx-9 grand touring all wheel drive with 20 inch (upgrade) wheels housed in northern va has had a series of suspension system issues. In December 2014 the front driver-side wheel bearing broke while driving from New York to DC. Luckily the roaring sound was noticed and the car was taken to a mr tire in time before the wheel fell off. Front tire wear was also extremely uneven and tires were replaced. Now in summer 2015 a creaking noise while going over bumps and hard turns resulted in the discovery that the front lower ball bearings were loose/had too much play, and we replaced the front lower control arms, swaybar links and bushings, and a broken rear differential mount. Mazda dealer suggests these are normal wear and tear issues. It feels like the suspension system is not designed to manage the weight of the car and normal city/bumpy/pothole driving.

- Arlington, VA, USA

08 Mazda Cx-9 making loud noise underneath vehicle. Made a right turn(5mph) in residential area. While making the turn the left side suspension/steering came apart causing vehicle to come to a sudden stop. Vehicle was towed and later repaired at a Firestone auto care. Vehicle needed repairs to control arm assembly(remove-replace F control arm/lower one side).. left new cv complete assembly(remove/install F axle shaft assembly-left). Sway bar link(remove/replace F stabilizer bar control link-both). Replace front shock/strut assemly-both sides. Sudden stop also caused damage to left front tire that had to be replaced. Total amount of repairs $1,756.96. Providing this information after reading on internet that NHTSA was investigating similar complaints involving this vehicle and front end problems.

- Hoffman Estates, IL, USA

I had brought my 2008 Mazda Cx-9 to the dealership for service before a long road trip. I mentioned that the car was pulling severely when turning or rounding a curve. I thought that it needed an alignment. While I was waiting at the dealership for my car to be repaired the technician came to get me to explain that he could not let me drive my car because I could be killed. He stated that the ball joints had separated from the left and right lower control arms. My husband questioned the technician about the likelihood of this happening and the tech told him that it was wear and tear. We found this hard to believe! we felt at this point there was nothing else to do but to approve the repairs and paid the $883.66 plus labor!

- Richboro, PA, USA

I was pull out of my office parking lot and turned right on to a 1 lane road. As I turned right the lower ball joint dislodged from the control arm. It pull the drivers side transaxle with it and it tie rod ends. Slamming my car to a halt and almost causing an accident with the car behind me. The wheel faced left even though my car was still slighty turning right. This is a danger and a hazard, I've also heard this is serious problem amongst other Cx-9 drivers....

- Centreville, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Cx-9. while driving approximately 15 mph making a right turn, the front driver side ball joint suddenly fractured and the driver was unable to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000.

- Williamsville, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Cx-9. while approximately 20 mph, the front driver side tire separated from the axle. The vehicle skidded, but the contact was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle sustained lower control arm, outer tie rod end, stabilizer link, axle, and drive belt damage. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Ocean, NJ, USA

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 can send 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 he car". 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....updated 09/22/15

- Ashburn, VA, USA

On 06 June 2015 at approximately 1400 my wife was making a left hand turn through an intersection at approximately 15 mph. Near the end of the turn the front passenger wheel broke loose turning nearly 90 degrees to the right and jammed itself into the rear of the fender well. The car was immediately immobilized and came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the intersection. Looking at the damage it was obvious that the lower ball joint had failed and broke completely free. This caused the wheel to turn nearly 90 degrees to the right which subsequently ripped out the cv axle from the transmission. Had this occurred at highway speeds the results could have been deadly. The vehicle had to be towed to a repair facility where the control arm/ball joint assembly, the cv shaft, and sway bar link was replaced. There is also fender well and body damage that will have to be repaired. On 10 July 2015, I noticed an unusual instability while negotiating wide turns on the highway. It felt as if the vehicle had a wheel loose. While turning to the right, the vehicle would abruptly turn even sharper to right almost causing an unintentional lane change. After coming out of the turn I could feel the vehicle suddenly correct itself. Once I arrived at my residence I jacked up the front end of the vehicle to inspect the front wheels. The front passenger wheel seemed normal (was repaired in June 2015 as mentioned above). Much to my dismay when inspecting the front driver side wheel, I discovered that the ball joint on this side is now broke. It is not separated, but is clearly broken as evidenced by the excessive movement and clunking noise when moving the wheel from side to side as it is suspended above the ground from the car being on a jack. I will be having this repaired this week once parts arrive from the local Mazda dealer. Bottom line: I no longer feel safe in this vehicle.

- Coweta, OK, USA

Ball joints warn had to replace both front control arms-work at Mazda deal was told very common problem I don't know why there isn't safety recall on this

- Bloomfield, CT, USA

When making a U-turn (left turn) at under 10 mph the vehicle made a loud noise and it shuttered to a stop. I called my husband and waited for him to arrive. When he arrived, he (and the police) attempted to push the car in neutral, but the car would not budge. He walked around the car and observed that the front right passenger wheel was turned out and resting against the fender. This exposed the suspension and he saw the ball joint and suspension had broken loose. The ball joint had ripped out from its housing and the suspension bar had broken apart at the wheel. There were parts on the ground along with grey fluid which was coming out from the hole left by the ball joint coupling. The fender was also damaged by the wheel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for repair. The police officer noted that we were lucky that this did not happen on the highway as it would have likely ended up flipping the car as it was such a severe failure. It took the tow-truck operator over 20 minutes to get he car onto the tow truck as the wheel could not be steered due to the failures.

- St. Charles , MO, USA