Makes›Mazda›CX-9›2008

2008 Mazda CX-9

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Mazda CX-9
Pictured: Mazda CX-9 (TC) 1X7A0316. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV FWD Gs/GT
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
18 combined · 16 city / 22 hwy
Length
199.6 in
Curb weight
4,312 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 26 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 Mazda CX-9 is a SUV - offered with a 3.7L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 200 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,312 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 22 highway), 5% worse than the 2008 SUV - average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the suspension.

What changed for 2008

  • Engine added: 3.7L 6-cyl
  • Engine dropped: 3.5L 6-cyl

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 CX-9 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV FWD Gs/GT199.6 in76.4 in68.1 in113.4 in65 / 64.6 in4,312 lb55/45

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CX-9 2WD3.7L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18-5%$3,700494
CX-9 4WD3.7L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17-2%$3,950523
Spend $6,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.9 MPG2008 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Mazda CX-9 under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Mazda CX-9 (this car)18 MPGNot rated4
2008 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated5
2008 Chevrolet Tahoe21 MPGNot rated3
2008 GMC Yukon21 MPGNot rated3
2008 Ford Expedition14 MPGNot rated0
2008 Nissan Pathfinder17 MPGNot rated3
2008 Dodge Durango16 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (4)

Safety advisory: 3 recalls for this model year carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Oct 31, 2019 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 19V782000 · 69,879 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V356 and 17V012.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jul 18, 2017 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 17V457000 · 79,402 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2012 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2007-2008 CX-7 and CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 17V-012.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 29, 2017 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 17V429000 · 205,377 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint · Jul 20, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V451000 · 193,484 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 CX-9 vehicles manufactured October 24, 2006, to December 28, 2013. The affected vehicles have front suspension ball joints that may corrode from water leaking into the fitting.
Risk
Over time, the ball joint corrosion may result in the front lower control arm separating from the ball joint, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both the left and right lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. The recall will begin with model year 2007-2009 vehicles registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The second phase will be for model year 2010-2014 vehicles in the same states. Finally, all remaining vehicles will be remedied. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 8515G.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 Mazda CX-9 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

132Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
6Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
112,080 miTypical mileage at failure
Suspension50
Air Bags26
Power Train22
Service Brakes18
Wheels15
Steering14
Unknown Or Other11
Electrical System9
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
18/07: 118/08: 218/10: 318/12: 119/03: 119/04: 219/05: 419/06: 119/07: 219/08: 119/10: 119/12: 120/01: 120/02: 120/06: 120/08: 120/09: 221/03: 321/04: 222/01: 122/08: 122/10: 123/10: 224/06: 118/0718/1219/0519/0820/0120/0821/0422/10max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Mazda CX-9 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Suspension — 50 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
  4. Air Bags — 26 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  5. Power Train — 22 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 112,080 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Mazda CX-9. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other CX-9 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2023 CX-923199.6 in★★★★★013
2022 CX-923199.6 in★★★★★011
2021 CX-924199.6 in★★★★★140
2020 CX-924199.6 in★★★★★119
2019 CX-924199.6 in★★★★★253
2018 CX-924199.6 in★★★★★2128
2017 CX-924199.6 inNot rated061
2016 CX-924199.6 inNot rated0107
2015 CX-919201.2 inNot rated235
2014 CX-919201.2 inNot rated353
2013 CX-919201.2 inNot rated458
2012 CX-919200.4 inNot rated4188

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mazda. How we calculate this →