2012 Mazda CX-9 — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2012 Mazda CX-9 is an SUV powered by a 3.7L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine. It returns around 23 mpg (UK) / 19 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Mazda CX-9 workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Mazda CX-9: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 23 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 3.7L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | 4-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Height | 1747 mm |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 23 combined / 19 urban / 26 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 19 combined / 16 city / 22 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 291 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,550 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2012 Mazda CX-9, all with the 3.7L 6-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (16/22) | 291 | $3,550 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (17/24) | 291 | $3,550 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Mazda CX-9
Running Costs: 2012 Mazda CX-9
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Mazda CX-9 at 23 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,581 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Mazda CX-9 Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Mazda CX-9 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (3), Suspension (1). 3 campaigns carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Air bags — campaign 19V782000, reported 31 October 2019. Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Air bags — campaign 18V717000, reported 12 October 2018. Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Air bags — campaign 17V457000, reported 18 July 2017. Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Suspension — campaign 15V451000, reported 20 July 2015. 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.
Owners have filed 221 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mazda CX-9. The most-reported areas are Service brakes (139), Engine (25), Air bags (23). Complaints include 9 reported crashes, 8 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 58 complaints across the 14 Mazda CX-9 model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Mazda CX-9
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Brakes (139 owner complaints) — Brake firmly from speed and look for pulling, vibration or a soft pedal; ask for brake service history.
- Air bags (3 recall campaigns · 23 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Engine (25 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Transmission & drivetrain (18 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Mazda CX-9 compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 23 mpg figure is 4 mpg below that average. Its 291 g/km CO₂ figure is 38 g/km higher than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Mazda models in our database average about 34 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Mazda CX-9's 23 mpg is 11 mpg below that make average. Its 291 g/km CO₂ figure is 93 g/km higher than the 198 g/km Mazda average.
Of the 14 Mazda CX-9 model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 9th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (23 mpg UK combined, against a high of 29 mpg). See every Mazda CX-9 year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Mazda CX-9
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Mazda CX-9 have?
It's fitted with a 3.7L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (s6) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Mazda CX-9?
The most efficient configuration returns around 23 mpg (UK) combined, or 19 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2012 Mazda CX-9 cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Mazda CX-9 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Mazda CX-9 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (3), Suspension (1). 3 campaigns carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Mazda CX-9?
Among the 221 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Service brakes (139 complaints), Engine (25 complaints), Air bags (23 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Mazda CX-9's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 23 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.