A shortage of control arms means a drawn out three-stage Mazda CX-9 recall.
Mazda North American Operations is in the process of recalling 194,000 2007-2014 CX-9 crossover SUVs from for corrosion in the front lower control arm possibly resulting in a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
The recall, starting in September, comes when NHTSA asked the Japanese automaker about safety issues after customer complaints.
In a statement, Mazda said, “Driving on roadways during the winter months in areas that use roadway salts can lead to salt and water intrusion into the ball joint, causing corrosion, which can result in looseness of the ball joint in the fitting. As a result of the looseness, a rattle may occur at the lower control arm ball joint. After extended operation in this condition, in the worst case the ball joint and lower control arm may separate.”
The recall begins 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 is for model year 2010-2014 vehicles in the same states. Ultimately, all remaining vehicles will be fixed.
Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda’s number for this recall is 8515G.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
