Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 9% | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2020 | 4 | 21% | — |
| 2019 | 7 | 13% | 56,000 miles |
| 2018 | 15 | 12% | 10,000 miles |
| 2017 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2016 | 14 | 13% | 24,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 3% | 83,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 4% | 40,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2012 | 5 | 2% | 68,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% | 67,000 miles |
| 2010 | 6 | 4% | 45,000 miles |
| 2008 | 13 | 8% | 106,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 7% | 113,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Vehicle randomly displays "smart brake system malfunction," "forward smart city brake malfunction" and " front radar system malfunction." This has been going on for at least a year. I will be driving on a highway, trying to accelerate and these messages will pop up. I'm not able to accelerate when these messages pop up and I have to turn on my hazard lights and pull over to the side of the road. The only thing that clears these warnings are for me to completely shut down my car and restart it. Luckily I have been able to get over to the side of the road on the highway without an accident, but these warning lights pop up when it's sunny out and there is no reason for the car to act the way it does. I took my car to the dealer the first time it happened and paid several hundred dollars for them to tell me that they don't know why it happened. …
We were on the freeway and all of a sudden it stopped accelerating and the engine light, sensor light, and sensor warning came on. We could not accelerate, that became disabled and we had to pull over. My husband said our fluid levels were normal and he checked them all in the shoulder of the freeway. We turned the vehicle off then on again and all lights went away and we continued on. This is a safety hazard because the car would not accelerate while we were going 60 mph on the freeway. I quickly took a picture of the dash as this was happening so I can take it to the dealer.
The contact owns a 2019 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that a State Inspection was performed on the windshield for cracks. The contact stated that while driving in the rain, the front windshield wipers turned on independently with the switch in the off position. The contact was unable to turn off the windshield wipers. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. When the vehicle was restarted, the front windshield wipers had turned off. The contact stated that the failure persisted and worsened. The contact stated that occasionally the windshield wipers failed to turn off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact purchased and replaced a sensor. …
The contact owns a 2019 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling at a red light the dash board warning lights suddenly activated and illuminated and while driving the vehicle would not properly accelerate. Shortly after parking in the driveway and exiting the vehicle moments later flames and smoke was present coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The husband used water to extinguish the flames and the vehicle was towed to the local dealer. During the incident no injuries were reported and no fire or police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined and no repairs were performed. The failure mileage was 61,000.
Passenger seat heater either had a grounding issue or shorted out, causing to seat to start smoldering and catching fire, destroying the seat. There has been recalls and lawsuits for this specific issue on this model in other years, but not for this model year.
The main infotainment display randomly exhibited "spider cracking" which obstructs the view of the material being displayed within the screen. It is unsafe because the operator is unable to see maps, time, locations, controls, reverse cameras, etc. All of these are displayed in the screen and, due to the manufacturing defect, the operator is distracted by straining to see what is displayed behind the cracking. This is a well documented issue plaguing Mazda vehicles. Mazda has admitted it as defective, and are fixing the problem in the 2016-17 models. However, the 2018 model (which has the same screen as the 2016-17) is being refused. The fix needs to be extended to the 2018 model and beyond since it iw clear this it is still a widespread issue. …
As I am accelerating to merge onto the highway from an on-ramp, while the gas pedal is depressed, I will get a series of sensor alerts simultaneously (city brake malfunction, park assist malfunction, lane assist malfunction, etc.) and my gas pedal becomes non-functional at 60-70mph. It is terrifying especially when there is other traffic around my vehicle. This exact issue has happened 6 times within the past 12-18 months at seemingly random intervals but always when I am accelerating onto the highway at 50-70mph. I typically pull off to the side of the highway and turn off the vehicle. After letting it sit off for ~30 seconds, I turn the vehicle back on and all of the sensor alerts have cleared and the vehicle functions properly including the gas pedal and I am able to rejoin the highway. …
Smart City Break Malfunction warning light appears while driving. Simultaneously the tire pressure warning appears. Also, at the same time, the temperature reads -20 to -40 degrees. Yes, vehicle is available for inspection. Fearful that car could randomly break while driving putting myself and family in danger since there is a malfunction. Mazda service center says the problem can't be reproduced so there's nothing they can do. The problem seems to appear when the outside temperature is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Related recalls (2)
Electrical system › Wiring
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.
Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Mazda is recalling 30,600 my 2007-2009 cx9 vehicles equipped with power adjustable seat with position memory function. The seat harness routed underneath the seat cushion May interfere with the front cover bracket which is attached on the front side of the seat cushion.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat harness and fasten the seat frame with a cable tie. The harness covering will be repair free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before March 16, 2009.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda CX-9 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (15), 2016 (14), 2008 (13), 2019 (7) and 2010 (6) model years. Electrical complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2018.
Is there a recall for Mazda CX-9 electrical problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 19V-403 (wiring, May 30, 2019); 09V-066 (interior/under dash, Feb 23, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mazda CX-9 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition (2 mentions), followed by the wiring › fuses and circuit breakers (1).
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.