YearToAvoid

2010 Mazda CX-9 Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 23 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2010 Mazda CX-9, 12% of all complaints filed for the year. Most describe transfer case failures with burning odors and smoke, at a median mileage of 76,600. No related recalls are on file.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
23
12% of 195
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
76,600 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Transfer case develops an oil leak that produces a burning or acidic smell entering the cabin, sometimes followed by smoke.
  • Transfer case bearing failure causes loud knocking or grinding noises from under the hood, especially when turning or stopping.
  • Some owners report repeat transfer case replacements, with the part failing again months after being replaced.
  • A few incidents include smoke or fire in the engine compartment, with one report describing a sudden bang and complete stop while driving.
  • Owners describe losing confidence in the 4WD system after transfer case leaks, fearing loss of four-wheel drive function.
  • In at least one case, both the transfer case and transmission needed replacement after prolonged grinding noises.

When 2010 Mazda CX-9 transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 14, 2012, latest Apr 9, 2022.

2010 Mazda CX-9 transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Oct 2012May 2013May 2014Nov 2015May 2018Jan 2019Mar 2021Apr 2022
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2012 to Apr 2022; peak Jun 2013 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2010 Mazda CX-9

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by CX-9 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201023 (12%)
  2. 201125 (15%)
  3. 201218 (8%)
  4. 20135 (7%)
  5. 20147 (13%)
  6. 20153 (9%)
  7. 20169 (9%)
  8. 20174 (7%)
  9. 201813 (10%)
  10. 20195 (9%)
  11. 20202 (11%)
  12. 20214 (10%)
  13. 20221 (10%)
  14. 20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission and powertrain complaints does the 2010 Mazda CX-9 have?
NHTSA lists 23 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2010 CX-9, which is 12% of all 195 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2010 Mazda CX-9 transfer case?
No related recalls are listed in the data for this problem area on the 2010 CX-9.
At what mileage do these transmission problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2010 CX-9 is 76,600 miles.
Did the transfer case issue cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA records show 0 crashes and 0 injuries tied to these complaints, though 4 involved a reported fire.
Is the 2010 CX-9 worse than other CX-9 years for this problem?
The 2010 model's 12% share is close to several other years, but 2011 shows a higher 15% share, so transfer case issues span multiple CX-9 model years.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.