Used 2012 Mazda CX-9 SUV Consumer Reviews

Great Find!

I needed to consolidate cars. My 13 year old 4Runner died and while I absolutely loved my Infiniti M45 Sport, I decided 3 cars ('99 MX5 Miata 10th Anniversary edition) was one too many. I wanted the cargo ccapacity of the 4Runner and the handling of the M45. I got both in the CX9 Grand Touring. This car is great! Terrific handling, good acceleration (it's not the M45) and enough high end features and gadgets to keep me happy. Mazda understands the importance of good ergonomics. The dash and controls are laid out well. The leather seats are very comfortable. There is plenty of room, front and back, ingress and egress is easy. A perfect combination of performance and functionality

Love Love Love it!

We bought this car new in 2012. I waited this long to review to make sure I just wasn't being reactive. This car has it all. As a 'soccer' mom, I'm constantly picking up and dropping of kids, swapping car seats, and running errand. The sliding 2nd row makes it easy getting car seats in and out, and fitting even adults in the 3rd row. The power liftgate is handy. There's plenty of room for fitting our 60lb dog and all our bags back there (though I would recommend buying a liner). This week was the first time really testing it on snow and it did great. Not only is it quick, agile, and fun to drive...It's just plain makes life easy. I recommend this car to everyone!

Mazda saved our lives

Hi mazda Last Monday June 11th I was involved in a car accident in my 2012 Mazda CX-9. I want to say THANK YOU! for building an great quality vehicle. This vehicle saved my 3 children's life and mine. The curtain airbags deployed right on time to prevent us from injuring our heads. My kids and I were able to walk out that wrench with not even a scratch. Thank you for protecting my family.

Top Notch Choice

Purchased a 2012 CX-9 GT. I'm fussy about build quality. I didn't find a single quality issue with my car. Every seam, all the paint, every fit was perfect, inside and out. An excellent value and definite upgrade from others in it's class...and I checked them all. The 20" tires are "firm", but I expected that. Mileage combined has been about 23.5. Also what I expected. I leave the 3rd row folded down to increase capacity. No problem. My local dealer provided the best buying experience I've ever had. Service dept is excellent and every employee has been friendly and helpful. Maybe I'm just lucky?

Brake Booster - Your car won't stop

Mazda is having an issue with brake boosters in the CX-9. Mine failed today at 52K miles. I couldn't stop the car pulling out of the garage and rolled it into my side yard. I took it into the Mazda dealership, and they know there's an issue. There's a service bulletin, and they replace the brake booster for free. I can't believe they haven't recalled the car - this could cause a serious accident. There is an issue with the diaphragm in the brake booster failing in hot climates. I live in Ohio. It can get hot here, but give me a "brake" - literally. The dealership cannot tell me if the new brake booster has the same issue. I'm assuming it does since I've read about these failures happening in the CX-9 since this design was released. The car is at the dealership every 5K miles for maintenance - they didn't catch it there either. You'd think they would check since it's a recurring issue. I'm beyond disappointed Mazda allows the car to be on the road with this type of failure possible. I wouldn't buy this car again.

Grand Touring Rocks!

We've had our CX-9 for just a week and we love it! It is very comfortable and it does not feel like we are driving a mid-size SUV. When going on the freeway, the accelerator is extremely responsive. The turning radius is surprisingly sharp, which makes parking in tight spots and u-turns effortless. The ride is also very smooth, even with the 20 inch rims.

Mazda cx-9 Grand Touring awd

I love the vehicle and the mazda line of cars. The problem I am having is that I dont put a lot of miles on the suv and things are happening, things that I never heard of before in my life owning other vehicles, like; the heat shield bolts rusted off and Mazda had to put bolts back in to secure the heat shield $50.00 for 15 minutes. I think it should of been under warranty. I only had 30,000 miles on it. Then Sunday out and about my husband says something is wrong with the braks going to the floor. Today I take to service station and they tell me its the power booster unit. I call mazda and they say its under the extended warranty and it will be towed to the dealership from the garage. I only have 31,000 mile on it now. Then in the newspaper there is a recall on the suspension they can rust and come loose. when they had my car up on a rack they were showing me where my bolts rusted on the heat shield, they was a lot of rusted parts under my car!!! What else is going to go bad on my Mazda cx-9 Grand touring that I like a lot but might have to think about trading it in!!!

"Zoom Zoom" in size XL!

I wish I could have rated it 4.5 stars, because it deserves it. It isn't perfect (what vehicle is?) but it's an exceptional mid-size/large SUV and it's more fun to drive than anything in this class should be. Handling, acceleration and braking are all better than any previous car or SUV that I've owned. The ride was a little on the harsh side when it was new (it has 20" wheels/tires) and the road noise from the tires was noticeable. I replaced the factory tires with a set of Michelins at 28k miles and it is so much quieter and smoother but still handles great and performs well on wet roads. I drove it to Pittsburgh (from Atlanta) and back last February and got to see how well it performed in the snow. For a FWD vehicle with all-season tires, it was perfect. The few minor issues I have are technology-related (no USB port; Bluetooth setup is cumbersome, especially with some phone; and the process of opening the power liftgate with the remote is annoying- press unlock twice, then hold the 'open' button' for a few seconds). The fuel economy isn't great, but I knew that going in. I average about 18mpg overall. I bought mine new in 11/2012 (as a leftover 2012) and I currently have 66,000 miles on it. The only problems I've had were brake-related. The front brake rotors had to replaced around 10k miles and they were warped again (causing horrible pedal vibration) at 18k miles. They only offered to resurface the rotors at that point (which would make them thinner and more likely to warp again even sooner). I corrected the issue myself with a pair of $225 aftermarket high-performance rotors and they're still doing great after almost 40k miles. The power brake booster also failed in May 2015 and it was replaced under warranty.

Very nice luxury feel vehicle

Bought the car with 60k on the odometer as I needed an AWD vehicle for my daughter to take to school. Have other Mazdas and they have always been reliable. This car is a pleasure to drive and the Grand Touring trim level and ride quality is excellent. I am extremely diligent with car maintenance and wanted every single fluid and service done after I purchased the car. Alot of the fluids are considered lifetime and sealed by Mazda and thus makes it a little difficult to change. The car does not even have a transmission dipstick. Mazdas idea of lifetime and my idea of lifetime are certainly different. Mazdas lifetime is probably anytime after the warranty expires. The transfer case is the weak spot in these cars and regular fluid changes, in my opinion, would certainly extend its life. Not an easy car to work on but definately a beautiful and nicely appointed vehicle that should last a long time with diligent maintenence.

Fun to drive, but not so reliable

We have a 2012 CX 9 and have enjoyed it until it was slightly out of warranty. The car has a strong motor and for a third-row vehicle is pretty fun to drive. It also performs well in the snow. The brake booster failed last week at 42,000 miles, nearly causing a traffic accident for my wife. This is a recurrent problem with the 2010-2011 CX 9. My guess is you will have problems with 2013-14 models as they hit 30-50k mileage, since the brake system is unchanged. It is unfortunate Mazda chooses not to address safety concerns in a family vehicle. I would look at the Hyundai Santa Fe in this class.

Sporty and Large interior

We bought our 2012 CX9 used a year ago. It is nible and decent in the snow. It gets about 18 mpg around town and 22 mpg on the highway. We have not had any reliability issues. One thing though, it seems to burn synthetic motor oil, it may have been too thin. When I changed the oil using conventional 5w20 it fixed the problem. IT is room and nice for car pooling or sticking appliances in the rear. All in all very happy with car.

Great 3rd row vehicle

If you are looking for a 3rd row vehicle in this mileage range, the CX-9 is the best bang for your buck. Other brands either have reliability issues or cost significantly more. Really enjoy this ride and the added room for kids and cargo. Very comfortable to drive with the excellent visibility. Also like the 2nd row heating and cooling control options. Gas mileage for this front FWD touring model is right around 20 and goes up/down slightly depending on the mix of city and highway driving. Would recommend the CX-9 to those looking for this type of vehicle. ** Update** Have owned this CX-9 for sox months now and love it. Added a trailer hitch to tow a 16 foot boat. We used it this summer travel 10 hours to a resort pulling the boat and loaded with gear. No issues. Get one! **Update** It is now several years later and still love the vehicle so much we purchased a newer one.

Mazda CX-9, great the second time around as well!

This was my second CX-9. I bought another because I loved the first. No change in opinion. Well built, comfortable, and reliable. Some of the technology was a bit behind (i.e., poor resolution and screen size on back up cam), but that's really not why I bought the vehicle. Great in snow and long trips. The only downside were terrible blind spots. With no blind spot alerts or mirrors, changing lanes can be a bit adventurous. Other than that, it's a great crossover.

Average at best

Just sold 2012 CX9 after three years (35,000 miles). Decent SUV for price. Pros: Appearance, good performance/handling, interior space. The CX9 looks sporty and handles/accelerates well for a large vehicle. Large interior space with decent room in the third row. Cons: Gas mileage, ride comfort, cabin noise, The CX9 does not get anywhere near the advertised gas mileage. 18.5 combined driving and 21.5 on strictly highway trips. Not a very comfortable ride if you are in the car for longer than 1 hour. Suspension felt stiffer than other large SUVs and could feel all bumps on road. Car had small annoying rattles on both interior/exterior.

First Mazda - Impressed so Far

We have 3 children and were looking to downsize from a Ford Excursion to a mid-size SUV. Our requirements were seating for 7, leather interior, and easy access to the third row. We drove every mid-size SUV out there in the under 40k price range and found the CX-9 was our favorite with the new Dodge Durango a very close second. Ease of rear access on the Durango killed it for us. I needed something my 6 year olds could do themselves and the Mazda was a breeze. Doors opened wide, easy slide second row for rear access, and the fact that I could still fit 3 kids in the 2nd row and fold the rear seats for cargo space if needed was a huge plus. Great value lots of options for the money.

CX-9 hits the spot

I've had it for 3 years......almost perfect....I wish you could get the grand touring without the 20" wheels....the ride is a little harsher, but the bigger problem is the constant TPMS light turning on every time you hit a decent bump. Just too finicky and pretty pointless given the vehicle.....I had a sport for a loaner and the 18" wheels ride much better and can't really tell with the handling

Love this car

This was the best car we ever owned up to now. We traded it in on a newer CX-9 that had 70,000 fewer miles and a warranty. We love our 2014 just as much if not more. Never had any problems with the 2012.

great purchase over highlander and path finder, 10

brake boosters at 40-45k miles have been tagged to be replaced. this is not a call back but have them commit to do before you sign the dotted line. we love our cx9, cvt is great, change thetrans fluids every 40k miles, i used firestone for my drain & fill trans service they used pennzoil cvt-2 fluid. 7.6 quarts., after40k+miles, we are still glowing about our cx9. at the 70k mark, I replaced both front & rear brake pads,(normal maintenance) gas mileage on this 3.7 litre 6 cyclinder has been really good,too. great purchase.

Great car

Great car, had great luck with it. Did not have many issues with it. I reccomend this car.

Vastly underrated

It is fun to drive, and has plenty of power...especially for such a large vehicle. The size gives you alot of room, and lots of storage space. The Sport package is a little sparse with options, but makes up for it with it's roominess, driving enjoyment, and comfort at a good price. It is a good, reliable car.

Transfer case is a case for ownership transfer

Transfer case failed at 34000 miles power train warranty is 36000 miles or five years

CX-9 AWD rocks the rockies

Been driving this car for 2 months now. Has done many things well; like carry 6 adults, grocery shopping, drive on snow/ice, skiing, highway, city, big mountains. First Mazda we have owned and it is so nice to drive and handles well in the mtns, where we live. Great as family wagon AWD, commuter, weekender, SUV replacement, power driver seat, steering wheel adjustments, good view out the windows, big outside mirrors (heated as well), power outlets, storage in far rear compartment, kids really like the car overall, build quality seems very solid.

Great Driving SUV

I've been following the CX-9 in publications so I knew its "Zoom-Zoom" reputation. Meanwhile my wife always wanted an Acura MDX (too much $$$ for my blood). Then on vacation last March fate stepped in and we got a free CX-9 upgrade for our rental. Needless to say, 2 weeks with the CX-9 and my wife wanted one bad. Finally, the deals were good enough this fall to pull the trigger. Simply put, this thing drives great for an SUV. It drives no "bigger" than our 09 Accord and in fact has a slightly smaller turning radius. My wife came back from running errands and stated "it is actually calming to drive". We will see how it holds up in the long term (no problems yet).

Lotta car for the money!

I tow a small trailer with the CX-9. It does a great job!

Pretty good value & great handling

We bought the vehicle after exhaustively comparing it to the Toyota Highlander and Acura MDX. In the end, we bought the Mazda because (a) the only area the Highlander was better was fuel economy, and (b) the MDX, while a better car in terms of luxury, features, and style, was considerably more expensive and given a feature-by-feature comparison, the Mazda was a much better value. Overall we are happy with the CX-9 and don't regret the decision. After having it for 2+ years, we are in a position to offer a long-term review of plusses and minuses which we hope the manufacturer reads and makes use of.

2012 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring Review

Pros: Driving feel, features Cons: Reliability. interior rattles, gas mileage The car handles very good for such a big auto. I find the driving experience to be enjoyable. The family (6 pax) just returned from a 1600 mile trip. We used a thule attachment on the roof and found the overall driving experience to be very enjoyable. Right before our trip, the front differential started to leak and had to be replaced. The car only had 10,000 miles on it. A fairly major job that almost derailed our vacation. Fortunately for us, the dealer had the part in stock. A little research online revealed this has been a habitual problem for this model.

CX-9

Feels like smaller sporty car. My 12 hour long, 850 mile long road trip last summer wasn't as exhausting as usual, thanks to smaller steering wheel, sporty seats and carlike handling. Steering is sporty and precise. Seats feel carlike and comfortable for a long trip.

Great family SUV

All around great car with a lot of options on the Grand Touring model.

Solid, Safe, very comfortable.. the best!

Very safe, solid and very comfy - spacious 10 out of 10..

Mrs. J

STAY AWAY!

I would never buy another Mazda again. After a month the driver seat started making squeaking noise. Try to schedule an appointment with Mazda dealership, the hell freeze sooner than you'll get an appointment. Everyone is rude, unprofessional. I even contacted Mazda Corporate and did not get anywhere. As of this time I am planning to sell the car and buy something American. Horrible car company, horrible customer support. What good is their warranty, when you cannot get any help. The only thing what you get from Mazda is a LEMON. I have tied a bag of lemons to my car and I am driving around our town like that, to let everyone know not to buy one.

Left my family stranded on the highway

So far our experience has been awful. First, we live 5 hours from the closest Mazda Dealership. So I drove down early in the morning and bought the 2012 with 26 miles on the car total. On the way home, I start smelling gasoline. I figured it must be a new car smell, I've never owned a new car. Then the next day after purchasing the vehicle, the transfer case explodes on the highway. The car is filled with my family and we were out of cell phone range. Thankfully, some people stopped to help and a couple hours later our brand new car was towed to Pueblo, Colorado (5 hours away) to be repaired. I just want a safe car for my family.

My CX-9

Overall, I love the car- style, handling, features, value. The gas mileage is the same as my last suv, so no surprises there. The interior is beautiful, but dust and dirt do show on the dark leather and mats. A bit surprised by the amount of plastic used on the front exterior and hope it lasts. I like that there are few chrome accents inside limiting glare - something seen in many other cars. There is however, no way to escape the amount of direct sunlight coming in when driving due west. This may have to do with windshield design and shape of the vehicle- a small price to pay for great visability. My family just came from our 1st road trip through the mountains and the car performed great!

Glare on Steering Column due to Mazda insignia

Love the new CX-9, except with the large windshield, I keep getting glare bouncing from the almost mirror-like center plastic/chrome implanted insignia in the middle of the steering wheel. It is very disconcerting and can be very distracting. Guess I will have to cover it with electrical tape or something to eliminate the glare from the sun.

Top Choice...Again!

Just purchased a new 2012 CX-9 and traded in the 2008 model. Prior to the purchase I thoroughly researched all of the alternatives, just as I had done in 2008 and still came back to the Mazda. They fixed all of the little things that I had complaints with on the 2008 model (i.e. no trip computer, doors failed to lock automatically when in drive, and single entry into the center armrest). The Highlander was a close 2nd, but the extra space the CX-9 provides, along with the sporty drive made the choice clear. I just hope that the new one will be as reliable as the one traded (knock on wood).

Great car for the money

We've owned this car for 13 months and have put 30,000 miles on it with no mechanical problems or breakdowns. We bought this car because it was larger, better equipped, and lower in price than a Ford Edge. Great performance, comfortable, decent MPG. The only annoying thing is the keyless entry/ignition system. The remotes occasionally will not work. The local dealer replaced the remote batteries one time, but says there is no problem. Still have the problem every couple weeks. Love the car, but the dealer service department is condescending and blows off any mentions of a problem. Don't know if that is a Mazda thing or just this dealer.

Best vehicle I have ever owned...so far.

Highly recommended. Feels like you are driving a luxury sedan.

Very pleased with my cx-9

We have owned our cx-9 for 9 months. I just hit 8500 miles.we have taken it on one 12 hour each way road trip and have been very impressed. The seats did great on the road trip, for adults & kiddos. I love the handling of the vehicle, feels like driving a car. I get compliments on how nice the interior looks and I have the sport model. Visibility is great. Only complaint is very rarely the sun hits just right on the chrome where the gear shift is and reflects off making it a Little hard to see, but again this has been rare. I love having the blue tooth & like that mazda stocked this vehicle pretty well for an entry level model. Mine has added power seats,heated seats/mirror.