Mazda CX-9 Problems by Year

We compared every Mazda CX-9 model year from 2007–2023 using 1,440 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 13 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2012, 2011, 2018, 2008 and 2010, which drew far more complaints than other CX-9 years at the same age. The best years are 2015, 2022 and 2020.

17model years
1,440complaints
13recalls
2012, 2011worst years
2015, 2022best years

Complaints by model year

’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’236717259162170221685435107611285319401113
Owner complaints per model year, Mazda CX-9. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202313typical—Collision AvoidanceAverage
202211−56%—Collision AvoidanceGood
2021401.2×1EngineAverage
202019−46%1EngineGood
201953typical2EngineAverage
20181282.2×2EngineAvoid
201761−23%—EngineAverage
20161071.6×—EngineCaution
201535−57%2EngineGood
201454−40%3EngineAverage
201368−23%4EngineAverage
20122213.3×4BrakeAvoid
20111702.4×4BrakeAvoid
20101621.9×6BrakeCaution
200959−44%6BrakeGood
20081721.9×5SuspensionCaution
200767−41%4SuspensionGood

* Complaints compared with the median CX-9 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Mazda CX-9 problems

Latest Mazda CX-9 recalls

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 21V-875 · Nov 12, 2021 · 121,038 vehicles

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.

Seats › Mid/rear assembly

NHTSA recall 21V-750 · Sep 27, 2021 · 8,648 vehicles

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CX-9 vehicles equipped with 60/40 split bench second-row seats. The left-side second-row seat may unexpectedly slide forward during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the internal parts of the affected second-row seats, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-782 · Oct 31, 2019 · 69,879 vehiclesDo not drive

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 using inflators of the same design.

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 alternate one, free of charge.

Tires › Tread/belt

NHTSA recall 19V-770 · Oct 28, 2019 · 146 vehicles

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 CX-9 vehicles equipped with Sumitomo Falken ZIEX CT50 A/S tires, size P255/50R20 104V, having date code 1619. An incorrect rubber compound may have been used in the tire's manufacturing, allowing the tread to separate and detach.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four tire serial numbers, replacing the tires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019.

Electrical system › Wiring

NHTSA recall 19V-403 · May 30, 2019 · 7,854 vehicles

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 CX-9 vehicles. The wiring harness may disrupt electrical communications and disable the passenger frontal air bag, turn signals, and/or engine starting system.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4.

All 13 Mazda CX-9 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Mazda CX-9 should you avoid?

2012, 2011, 2018, 2008, 2010 and 2016 — these years have the most complaints relative to other CX-9 years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 2012.

What is the best year for the Mazda CX-9?

2015 has the fewest complaints compared with other CX-9 years at the same age, followed by 2022 and 2020. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Mazda CX-9 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (433), engine & cooling (374) and transmission & drivetrain (162). Brake complaints peak in the 2012 model year.

How many recalls has the Mazda CX-9 had?

13 recalls across 2007–2023. The model year with the most is 2009. See all Mazda CX-9 recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.