Home · 2012 Mazda Cx-90 · Complaints

What 221 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Mazda Cx-90

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (221)Crash / fire / injury (13)Brakes (143)Engine (25)Airbags (23)Transmission & drivetrain (18)Speed control (11)Suspension (9)Steering (7)Electrical system (5)Fuel system (4)Lights (3)

23 of 221 complaints match · Airbags · clear filters

Feb 4, 2025Airbags

My driver and passenger side curtain airbags randomly deployed without a collision. Thankfully I was at a stop sign when this happened. If it happened while I was driving, I’m sure I would have wrecked and could possibly be dead. It was loud! I thought I’d been shot or that I’d driven over a bomb. We did take the car to someone that’s certified in airbags and it was stated that this was due to a manufacturer’s defect. I also have lots of pictures. There was no warning when the airbags deployed. Mazda is refusing any responsibility due to the car being outside of the warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11640738

Dec 28, 2020AirbagsSeat belts2 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS HAD ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITH OUT ANY IMPACT OCCURRING TO THE VEHICLE. DURING THE INCIDENT BOTH THE FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS HAD ALSO ACTIVATED AND DEPLOYED TO SECURE THE OCCUPANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER JOE MAUS MAZDA LOCATED AT 6735 E INDEPENDENCE BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC WHO REPLACED THE AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELTS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER BOTH SUSTAINED MINOR NECK AND BACK INJURIES DURING THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,417.

NHTSA ODI 11385219

Jan 8, 2019Airbags4 injuries

TAKATA RECALL" THIS IS IN RELATION TO CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYING WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED. TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND THE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI 11165925

Nov 1, 2017Transmission & drivetrainAirbagsBrakes

AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL, TRANSMISSION SWITCH FAILURE, THROTTLE BODY FAILURE, BRAKE FAILURE

NHTSA ODI 11042174

Oct 29, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL - FAILURE TO REPLACE IN A TIMELY MANNER AND PREVENTED FROM CARRYING PASSENGERS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF THE CAR. CANNOT SELL / TRADE THIS VEHICLE UNTIL THE BAG(S) IS / ARE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI 11040929

Sep 15, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL - I'VE RECEIVED 3 RECALL NOTICES, BUT MAZDA SAYS PARTS ARE STILL UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A LIFE-THREATENING RECALL ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11023577

Sep 5, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V429000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION BEFORE MARCH OF 2017. THE DEALER (FERMAN MAZDA OF BRANDON, 9809 E ADAMO DR, TAMPA, FL, 33619) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11021435

Aug 30, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V457000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11020583

Aug 22, 2017Airbags

"TAKATA RECALL" RECEIVED BACK IN MARCH 2017 THE SAFETY RECALL FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATOR REPLACEMENT - SAFETY RECALL 0717A / NHTSA 17V012. TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES WE CONTACTED, BY PHONE, MAZDA / DEALER TO REQUEST REPAIR OF THE DEFECT-FREE OF CHARGE-"WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME" AND HAVE NO RESULTS SO FAR. ON AUGUST 21ST, 2017 WE RECEIVED "AUTO AIRBAG SETTLEMENT" NOTICE. WHAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE "WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME"? WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE FROM THIS POINT ON?

NHTSA ODI 11018973

Aug 21, 2017Airbags

PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATORS REPLACEMENT - SAFETY RECALL 0717A NHTSA 17V02 HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED AND I AM GOING ON LONG TRIP SATURDAY AND ASKED LOCAL DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR HELP. NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED. I JUST NEED IT FIXED PRIOR TO SATURDAY'S TRIP

NHTSA ODI 11016537

Aug 15, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V012000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. JIM ELLIS MAZDA (LOCATED AT 1141 COBB PARKWAY SE, MARIETTA, GA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11015380

Aug 12, 2017AirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TAKATA RECALL RECEIVED A LETTER ON MARCH 2017 CALLED DEALER NUMBER OF TIMES THEY KEEP GIVING ME THE RUN A ROUND. AS TO WHEN THIS AIR BAG PROBLEM WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF??? I TAKE MY GRANDCHILDREN TO & FROM SCHOOL & AM CONCERNED APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE. R

NHTSA ODI 11014819

Jul 10, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V012000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 09/06/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI 11004083

Jun 16, 2017Airbags

TAKATA AIRBAGS RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2017. HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED FOR REPAIR AS OF JUNE 16, 2017.

NHTSA ODI 10995558

Jun 7, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V012000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10993669

Apr 27, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V012000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10981058

Apr 20, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V012000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE INTERIM RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10979579

Apr 18, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V012000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10979081

Apr 17, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL. MAZDA SAYS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE BUT THEN SAYS "DO NOT ALLOW PASSENGERS TO RIDE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER AREA". DO NOT GIVE ANY IDEA AS TO WHEN PARTS AVAILABLE. MY CAR HAS LIMITED USE TO ME IF I CAN'T ALLOW PASSENGER IN FRONT SEAT. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE?

NHTSA ODI 10978944

Sep 14, 2016AirbagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, A PICK UP TRUCK REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. IN TURN, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A THIRD VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000.

NHTSA ODI 10906378

Aug 10, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V451000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10894903

Jul 4, 2016Airbags

I OWN A 2012 MAZDA CX9 . MY WIFE WEIGHS ABOUT 105LBS AND ABOUT 115LBS WITH HER USUAL LAP DOG. INITIALLY THE PAX SEAT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN SHE WAS IN THAT SEAT, CAR IN MOTION OR NOT. THE LIGHT WAS NORMAL WHEN I SAT IN THAT SEAT. TOWNE MAZDA RAN A TEST ON THE COMPONENTS. THEY INFORMED ME THE SYSTEM CHECKED NORMAL. HOWEVER, THE LIGHT AFTER THAT THEN ILLUMINATED EVERY TIME SHE OCCUPIED THE PAX SEAT. THE PROBLEM WAS DEMONSTRATED TO A SERVICE TECH; THE LIGHT WAS OFF WITH HIM IN THE SEAT (A LARGER MAN THAN ME) AND ON EVERY TIME MY WIFE SAT IN THE SEAT. SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT HER POSITION, BUT NO POSITION DELETED THE LIGHT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WOULD CHECK WITH MAZDA, TO SEARCH FOR A SOLUTION. AFTER MONTH OF USING THE CAR, THE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONTINUALLY WHEN MY WIFE OCCUPIES THE PAX SEAT. THE SERVICE SUPERVISOR TOLD ME TO PUT HER IN THE BACK SEAT BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10882491

Oct 8, 2015SteeringAirbagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,804.

NHTSA ODI 10780908

Working with the data? Download all 221 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 11, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Mazda Cx-90 verdict →