YearToAvoid

2012 Mazda CX-9 Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 144 brake complaints for the 2012 Mazda CX-9, 65% of that model year's 221 total complaints. Owners commonly report power-assist brake failure and hissing sounds from the brake booster, with 4 crashes and 1 injury linked, and a median failure mileage of 56,622. No related recall is listed for this year.

Brakes complaints
144
65% of 221
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
56,622 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe sudden loss of power-assisted braking, requiring much harder pedal pressure to stop the vehicle.
  • Several complaints mention a hissing sound from the brake pedal area, often tied to the brake booster or master cylinder.
  • Some drivers report the brake pedal going hard and unresponsive during sudden stops, leading to collisions.
  • A few owners say dealers replaced the brake booster under a "special warranty" after diagnosing it as a known failure point.
  • Multiple complaints note increased stopping distance and reduced brake effectiveness developing gradually before full failure.

When 2012 Mazda CX-9 brake complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 22, 2013, latest Sep 29, 2023.

2012 Mazda CX-9 brakes complaints: complaints filed per quarter122013 Q12014 Q32015 Q42017 Q12018 Q22019 Q32021 Q22022 Q3
144 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q1 to 2023 Q3; peak 2016 Q3 (12).

Brakes recalls for the 2012 Mazda CX-9

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by CX-9 model year

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

  1. 201093 (48%)
  2. 2011101 (59%)
  3. 2012144 (65%)
  4. 201316 (24%)
  5. 20149 (17%)
  6. 20153 (9%)
  7. 201611 (10%)
  8. 20170 (0%)
  9. 201811 (9%)
  10. 20192 (4%)
  11. 20202 (11%)
  12. 20214 (10%)
  13. 20221 (10%)
  14. 20232 (17%)

Frequently asked questions

Are brake problems common on the 2012 Mazda CX-9?
Yes. NHTSA lists 144 brake complaints for the 2012 CX-9, which is 65% of the 221 total complaints filed for that model year, one of the highest shares among CX-9 years.
Is there a recall for 2012 Mazda CX-9 brake issues?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for the 2012 CX-9's brake complaints.
At what mileage do CX-9 brake problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for reported brake issues on the 2012 CX-9 is 56,622 miles.
Did the brake issue cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data links 4 crashes and 1 injury to brake-related complaints on the 2012 CX-9, with no fires reported.

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.