MazdaCX-92008Overview/mazda/cx-9/2008/base/

2008 Mazda CX-9

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 CX-9.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2008 Mazda CX‑9 is an SUV whose powerplant is paired with an automatic six‑speed transmission and achieves EPA fuel economy of 16 city, 22 highway and 18 combined miles per gallon. In its early production years it accumulated 172 owner complaints, with suspension problems representing the most frequent issue and six recall campaigns issued, placing its complaint level below the peak 221 complaints recorded in 2012 but above the recent low of 9 complaints in 2022. Thus, the 2008 model reflects a mid‑range reliability position within the 2007‑2023 complaint history, indicating moderate concerns relative to both earlier and later years.

Model year202320222021201220112010200920082007

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque80-108 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter YF0914302A. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-60R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterYF0914302A
Engine air filterCY0113Z40A
Fuel filterCY0313ZE0 alt CY0113ZE0
Spark plugZZJ118110
BatteryJF0218520E
Front wiper bladesTD1167330 alt TD1267330
Serpentine beltCY0115907B alt CY0115908D
ThermostatZZJ115171B alt 9XB06807S
Cabin air filterL2Y661P11

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length199.6 in
Overall width76.4 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase113.4 in
Curb weight4312 lb
Track (front / rear)65 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 22 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the CX-9 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.3–7.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.30 sec — 2008 Grand Touring
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008Grand Touring 3.7L V67.30 sec15.70 sec273 hpFWD
2008Grand Touring 3.7L V67.70 sec16.00 sec273 hpAWD
2008Grand Touring 3.7L V67.80 sec16.00 sec273 hpAWD
2007Grand Touring 3.5L V67.50 sec15.70 sec263 hpAWD
2007Touring 3.5L V67.80 sec16.20 sec263 hpFWD
2007Grand Touring 3.5L V68.10 sec16.30 sec263 hpAWD
2010Grand Touring 3.7L V67.80 sec16.00 sec273 hpAWD
2011Grand Touring 3.7L V67.30 sec15.60 sec273 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 · SAE J1703 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80-108 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4
Brake FluidDOT 3 · SAE J1703
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2 Pints
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity6
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts54-64 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 6.2-; Upper: 6.2-
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80-108 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug13.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub174-202 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub174-202 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)620 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5.0-6.0 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.46-1.60 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.41 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test18; Maximum pressure. psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature175-182 °F
Injector Primary Resistance11.3-12.7 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Oil Pressure45-90 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.0059-0.0098 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0019-0.0157 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket61-68 ft-lbs / 16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle79-93 ft-lbs / 58-75 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.06 in / 0.66 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.03 in / 0.63 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1103 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 35-39 ft. lbs., 85-95103 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant at 60,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 60,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBody Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect)
At 22,500 miEngine Air Filter Element (clean)
Every 22,500 miEngine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 25,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Frame Fasteners (torque) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 37,500 miEngine Air Filter Element (clean)
Every 45,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Mazda CX‑9 saw 172 complaints, matching the 6 recalls of the same year and a rise in investigations to two, a slight uptick from 86 complaints and one investigation in 2007. The trend over the generation shows a peak in complaints in 2012 (221) and a gradual decline thereafter, while recalls plateau around six in the early years and drop to zero by 2016. In 2008, the vehicle’s complaint profile—suspension (33), airbags (22), power train (20), and service brakes (19)—mirrors the broader trend of mechanical and safety concerns common to this model year. With only 10 crash‑related complaints and no fire incidents, the data do not indicate a severe safety issue, but the higher complaint count relative to neighboring years suggests moderate reliability concerns. Overall, 2008 is a reasonable year to buy if you can find a well‑maintained example, but be prepared for potential maintenance on suspension and air‑bag components.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
261
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
172
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 172 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension33
Air Bags22
Power Train20
Service Brakes19
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6
Seats6
Steering,Suspension,Wheels5
Wheels4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V782000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 31/10/2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an…

17V429000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 29/06/2017

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 261 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SA-041-262026-06-18Electrical SystemThis SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in…
SA-029-262026-04-21Power TrainThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
SA-061-252025-12-17Electrical SystemIf you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start…
07-004-25a2025-12-10Unknown Or OtherA musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system…
SA-039/252025-08-21StructureSome vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.)…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific CX-9. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2008 CX-9 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the CX-9 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.