2nd Sep 2018, 00:56
Update to original post.
Now after a hard shudder at low RPM while driving, I found out the three piece driveshaft is failing and needs to be replaced at the cost of $1000; local mechanics won't touch it; they say it's too big a job so it need to go to the dealer.
Bluetooth failed. Just the Bluetooth module itself is $500 from the dealer.
It only has 116k miles and so much to repair. I'm not used to this. Mazda - never again.
2nd Sep 2018, 00:59
Yes, it had complete vehicle history report. All clean and well cared for by all records. Guess it was made on Monday. I always research the car before purchasing.
7th Oct 2018, 11:57
Final update. The Mazda is gone. Returned to the dealer again for shudder and was told the transfer case had failed and stripped the spline on the transmission. Dealer quote was $7000 for replacement. Mechanic said he had seen it many times before and was afraid that was the problem the whole time, yet had no problem letting us replace thousands of dollars in parts that were not the cause. Traded it in on a 2016 Explorer. Please save yourself time and money; never buy Mazda.
7th May 2020, 17:45
I'm sorry but the dealer must have seen you coming from a thousand miles away. The Mazda dealers usually charge between 3500 to 5000 for both items to be replaced. Also the independent shop you went to probably didn't know how to work on it. Someone from the forums had both items replaced at a cost of under 4000. You probably got a good deal because the person who traded it in knew about the problem and got rid of it.
I also noticed that you bought a 2 year old Explorer. Watch out for the water pump. It is the exact same engine that was used on the first gen Mazda CX-9 from 07-15 . You should have added the Ford Extra Care to it. That water pump replacement is not cheap.
23rd Apr 2018, 18:28
You purchased this vehicle with 70 thousand miles. Did you buy it from a Mazda dealer? Also, did the vehicle come with the maintenance records from the previous owner?
I own one of these, and what I do know is that the transfer case has issues and the water pump also. I have never heard of the steering rack having a problem. I just did a suction and refill of my power steering fluid at 105k. I haven't had a problem.
If you plan on keeping the vehicle, join the Mazda CX-9 forums, it's free.
If you get rid of it and buy another used vehicle, please have it checked out. Sometimes a good deal is really someone unloading their headache onto you.