YearToAvoid

2012 Mazda CX-9 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 32 engine complaints for the 2012 Mazda CX-9, 14% of that year's 221 total complaints. Owners most often describe sudden unintended acceleration and stalling, with a median failure mileage of 57,000. No related recalls are on file.

Engine complaints
32
14% of 221
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
57,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Sudden unintended acceleration while braking at low speed, sometimes ending in a collision with another vehicle or object.
  • Engine stalling while decelerating or turning, leaving the driver with reduced steering and braking control.
  • Stalling on inclines that owners say Mazda described as normal behavior for the CX-9.
  • Excessive, unexplained oil consumption that a dealer technician said could eventually cause engine failure.
  • Engine revving up and down on its own accompanied by clunking and a sudden forward lurch or hesitation.

When 2012 Mazda CX-9 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 22, 2013, latest Jun 9, 2025.

2012 Mazda CX-9 engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2013Feb 2014Jan 2016Oct 2017Aug 2018May 2019Jul 2020Jan 2022
32 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2013 to Jun 2025; peak Oct 2013 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2012 Mazda CX-9

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by CX-9 model year

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

  1. 201035 (18%)
  2. 201118 (11%)
  3. 201232 (14%)
  4. 201317 (25%)
  5. 201420 (37%)
  6. 201518 (51%)
  7. 201670 (67%)
  8. 201743 (70%)
  9. 201878 (61%)
  10. 201923 (43%)
  11. 20205 (26%)
  12. 202121 (54%)
  13. 20220 (0%)
  14. 20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many 2012 Mazda CX-9 owners reported engine problems?
NHTSA lists 32 engine-related complaints for the 2012 Mazda CX-9, which is 14% of the 221 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Mazda CX-9 engine?
No. NHTSA shows no related recalls tied to the engine complaints for the 2012 CX-9.
At what mileage do 2012 CX-9 engine problems usually happen?
The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2012 CX-9 is 57,000 miles.
What is the most common engine complaint on the 2012 CX-9?
Owners most frequently describe unintended acceleration and stalling while decelerating or turning, based on NHTSA complaint narratives.
Did the 2012 CX-9 engine issues cause any crashes?
NHTSA records 4 crashes and 0 fires linked to engine complaints for the 2012 CX-9, with no injuries 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.