Mazda CX-9 years to avoid (and the best years)
1,131 NHTSA owner complaints and 12 recalls across 14 model years, 2010 to 2023. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 1,131complaints
- 12recalls
- 47reported crashes
- 12reported fires
- 32reported injuries
Which Mazda CX-9 years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Mazda CX-9 year to avoid is 2012. The typical Mazda CX-9 year has 58 complaints on file.
- 2012: 221 complaints, 3.8 times the typical year. Most complaints name the brakes (65% of complaints) and the engine (12% of complaints).
What are the best Mazda CX-9 years?
The Mazda CX-9 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2022 (10), 2023 (12) and 2020 (19). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 0.2× | 0 | 3 | 1 | Few red flags | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2022 | 10 | 0.2× | 0 | 1 | 2 | Few red flags | Exterior lighting |
| 2021 | 39 | 0.7× | 1 | 7 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2020 | 19 | 0.3× | 1 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2019 | 53 | 0.9× | 2 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2018 | 128 | 2.2× | 2 | 4 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2017 | 61 | 1.1× | 0 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2016 | 99 | 1.7× | 0 | 3 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2015 | 35 | 0.6× | 2 | 1 | 5 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2014 | 54 | 0.9× | 3 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2013 | 68 | 1.2× | 4 | 3 | 2 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2012 | 221 | 3.8× | 4 | 9 | 8 | Approach with caution | Brakes |
| 2011 | 170 | 3.0× | 4 | 7 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Brakes |
| 2010 | 162 | 2.8× | 6 | 6 | 5 | Some concerns to check | Brakes |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 413 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Brakes178 (43%)
- Engine & powertrain117 (28%)
- Airbags & seat belts36 (9%)
- Steering, suspension & tires34 (8%)
- Electrical & infotainment18 (4%)
Recalls (12)
Fuel system · 21V875000 · Nov 2021 · model years 2018, 2019
Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 21V750000 · Sep 2021 · model years 2020, 2021
A seat that slides forward during a crash can transfer excessive force onto a belted occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Airbags · 19V782000 · Oct 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Tires · 19V770000 · Oct 2019 · model year 2019
A detached tire tread can decrease vehicle stability and increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 19V403000 · May 2019 · model year 2018
The passenger frontal air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury. Inoperable turn signals prevent the driver from signaling to other drivers, increasing the risk of crash.
Airbags · 18V717000 · Oct 2018 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 18V018000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2010, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 17V457000 · Jul 2017 · model year 2012
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 17V429000 · Jun 2017 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Steering · 16V203000 · Apr 2016 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 15V451000 · Jul 2015 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Over time, the ball joint corrosion may result in the front lower control arm separating from the ball joint, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 10V051000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
THIS MAY CAUSE BURN DAMAGE OF THE SEAT CUSHION SURFACE, OR A RISK OF SMOKE/FIRE.