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.
