9.7
really awful
engine problem
So, we leased a new CX-9 in '15 because it seemed like a good deal. We bought out the lease in '18 because we felt the car was solid and a reasonable investment. Although not perfect, we thought we would get great mileage out of the car. Learn from our mistakes...so wrong.
We are being generous with the 95K miles put on the car. 1 owner...9 minutes to work and 9 minutes home and 11 minutes to the gym and 11 minutes home represents the daily grind. Once every 3-4 years a "big" trip of 1,200 miles round trip. The occasional weekend warrior 300 mile round trip for a hike or visit with friends/family. No accidents at all. Maintenance kept up on...spot on. And a 100% dead vehicle at <95K miles? Really? This was because of a water pump failure with no warning. Again...really? Oh....and a $3K in service leading up to this catastrophic failure? What is going on?????
Honda seems to always out pace. Kia, Hyundai...much less expensive options and with the mileage they clock; more than viable contenders. My Ford (Found On Road Dead) even outlasted both of my Mazdas exponentially.
So, I have to conclude that Mazdas just suck all around. Don't buy one. They are great when they work. They suck terribly when they begin to fail....which is way too soon...premature death hurts everyone. A sales rep for Mazda once told me you can't find a used Mazda ###### for sale....now I know why. Dead is dead....can't sell it and can't buy it.
Our first Mazda was fun....Speed6. Began failing at 90K miles and required significant investments (AWD failed)...really on a well-kept car? Our most recent CX-9 barely got beyond its tweens and committed suicide...again way too soon!!!!!!!! 2 for 2? Different models? Different years? Same nice service people. Service was very pleasant and helpful; it's just that the vehicles suck beyond belief. I thought Jeeps may have had some of the worst service records (beyond Jaguars...different story and have not owned one), but mine nearly doubled the life of my Mazdas...and they were in a wreck or two. I had an Acura that had life paddles on it at 50K miles (rear-ended...sandwiched, resulting in front-ended...not my fault) but it kept ticking until 185K+++ miles. My pampered Mazdas never experienced even a bump and began their death marches at less than 90K miles. Poor babes!!!
Mazda's response (not the service center's fault...they are great) $4K to try to fix the water pump. If that doesn't work....$9K on top for a new engine. We can all see where this one is going. Yup...a decision to cut losses and retrieve $650 in parts from a salvage yard. Anyone want to buy our 2015 CX-9? Do we have a deal for you! Or....donate and claim a $##,###.## deduction? Either way, sucks to be a Mazda owner...but Mazda made their vehicle sale and service money.
Maybe some shareholders are happy? Moral of the story? Where is Isuzu? And Mazda, stop effin your customers.
- John R., Westborough, MA, US
I bought car from used car lot, had for two years, serviced at Temecula Mazda every 4 months. They video the service and tell me when I need windshield wipers replaced and oil, told me tires etc ok. Not once that hey you might need to replace water pump soon. Nope it just blows up my engine and they told me " Its just something that happens" .
That's such BS, never happened to any other car I've ever had! They want $9,800. Need help this is insane!!!!
- Cynthia C., Menifee, US
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Went in for an oil change Saturday. Got a quote for $11,000 to replace the engine on Monday.
We had zero warning lights until the day before. The code ran a "crankshaft sensor" and a prelim diagnostician said it's probably just the sensor. Theeeeeeeeen the mechanic finds coolant in the oil. Then the parts. Then labor.
It had been a daily driver for just six months. We'd been regular with oil changes and maintenance.
Aaaaand what's worse? Insurance can't cover it. It's a mechanical failure, not a car accident. If my wife had left the shop and ran into a tree, we'd get the value of the car. Instead, we're screwed screwed screwed. It went from being one of the single most reliable parts of our life to a sudden $20,000 liability. (Loan of $9K, $11K repairs.)
- Youssef S., Dallas, TX, US
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My car broke down on the highway on my way to Colorado. It costs at least $10,000 to replace a new engine.
- N C., Colorado Springs, CO, US
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Water pump is extremely difficult to get to, it may have already ruined the engine. Will cost up to $2000.00 and this may not fix it.
- Connie R., Liberty Hill, TX, US
Car is otherwise in excellent condition. Suddenly stalled when driving so we took it into shop to find the water pump blew which ultimately destroyed the engine. Dealer wants $9500 to fix it. Just read this is a KNOWN problem but Mazda refuses to fix it. there are multiple class action lawsuits pending. Want to know how to get them to pay!
Update from Oct 6, 2021: Had to replace the entire engine to fix it.
- dbev, Southboro, US
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The issue is the same one that so many others said. Water pump leaked into the engine and created foam. It is costing me over 4000 to replace a $200 water pump. That judge that decided that there was not enough people claiming this issue has screwed over so many. Even my Mazda dealership knew about this issue. I read a ton of forms about this happening to people. I do not know if this destroyed my engine or if I caught it soon enough. Mazda should cover this, since it is their bad design. An engine should be able to make it 100k miles. This design literally destroys itself. What makes it worst, my dealership told me how reliable this vehicle was and I traded my cx5 for it which would not have had this issue. I have lost all faith in Mazda.
- David S., Everett, US