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Campaign 15V451 Posted July 20, 2015 193,484 units

2007-2014 Mazda CX-9 Recall 15V451: Ball Joint Corrosion

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 31, 2026

Recall 15V451 covers 193,484 2007-2014 Mazda CX-9 SUVs for corroding front ball joints. Repair is free at any franchised Mazda dealer.

Mazda is recalling 193,484 2007-2014 CX-9 vehicles because water can enter the front suspension ball joint fitting and corrode the joint. That corrosion can allow the front lower control arm to separate from the ball joint, causing loss of steering control and increasing crash risk; the Mazda dealer repair will be free once available.

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What's wrong?

The lower ball joint on a 2007-2014 Mazda CX-9 is part of the front suspension. It connects the lower control arm to the wheel assembly, allowing the front wheel to steer while the suspension moves up and down over bumps. That joint needs to stay tight inside its fitting so the wheel tracks correctly.

On affected CX-9 SUVs, water can leak into the ball joint fitting. In areas with road salt, that water carries salt into the joint and starts corrosion. As corrosion builds, the ball joint can become loose in the fitting, which changes how firmly the front suspension holds the wheel in position.

There is no warning sign before failure. The recall record does not identify a dashboard light, noise, or handling symptom that owners can count on before the ball joint loosens.

Who's affected?

Spans eight CX-9 model years (2007-2014), with lower arm and lower ball joint listings for the front suspension.

2014 Mazda CX-9 lower control arm
2014 Mazda CX-9 lower control arm
2013 Mazda CX-9 lower control arm
2013 Mazda CX-9 lower control arm
2012 Mazda CX-9 lower control arm
Units affected193,484

The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.

What's the safety risk?

Ball joint corrosion can let the front lower control arm separate from the ball joint. If that happens, the driver can lose steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Check whether your VIN is included and schedule the control arm replacement promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Mazda dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2014 Mazda CX-9 is included in this recall.
  2. Contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 to confirm the repair phase for your VIN.
  3. Ask a franchised Mazda dealer when the free lower-control-arm replacement that addresses corroded ball joints and loss of steering control opens for your VIN.
  4. Reference recall number 15V451 when you call the dealer or Mazda customer service.
  5. Drive cautiously until Mazda confirms the repair path for your VIN. Stop driving if the steering feels loose, pulls, or changes suddenly.

What happens at the repair

Once Mazda opens the final dealer repair, a Mazda technician will replace both the left and right lower control arms. Parts and labor are covered under the recall once that repair is available. The work addresses the front suspension ball joint corrosion path by replacing the lower control arms that carry the affected joints, rather than only inspecting the joint area. Mazda customer service can identify where your vehicle falls in the repair sequence for campaign 15V451.

Timeline

July 20, 2015 NHTSA published the recall
August 5, 2015 Dealer notification began
September 14, 2015 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 15V451?

Recall 15V451 covers 193,484 2007-2014 Mazda CX-9 vehicles with front suspension ball joints that can corrode after water enters the fitting. Over time, the front lower control arm can separate from the ball joint, causing loss of steering control and higher crash risk.

What should I do if my 2007-2014 Mazda CX-9 is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific CX-9 is included in recall 15V451. If it is, contact a franchised Mazda dealer and ask for recall 8515G. Mazda dealers replace both the left and right lower control arms for free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Mazda's remedy says dealers will replace both lower control arms free of charge. The free repair applies at any franchised Mazda dealer once your VIN is confirmed.

What is the safety risk in recall 15V451?

The safety risk is loss of steering control. Mazda says corrosion in the front suspension ball joint can let the front lower control arm separate from the ball joint over time, which increases crash risk. The repair path is replacement of both lower control arms at a Mazda dealer.

What if I bought my Mazda CX-9 used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the vehicle, not the first owner, so a used 2007-2014 Mazda CX-9 remains eligible if its VIN is included. Check your VIN, then give the dealer recall number 15V451 or Mazda recall number 8515G.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V451000
Mazda customer service1-800-222-5500
NHTSA recall #15V451
NHTSA recall # (full)15V451000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →