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Mazda CX-9
SUV · Gas · 8 versions · owner report
Ranked #1 of 22 used midsize SUVs on owner data, price and fuel economy
Every generation
Power
Combined, EPA 2023
What owners say
Our take, from owner reports
Predominantly positive sentiment, with the vehicle widely praised for its exceptional driving dynamics, premium interior feel, and strong value proposition.
4 problems reported (1 very frequent, 1 recurrent, 2 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentCylinder head cracking / coolant leak in 2.5T engine
A design/manufacturing defect leading to coolant leaking into the engine, potentially causing catastrophic failure. Affects model years 2016-2020 with production dates before June 9, 2020. Warranty was extended to 10 years/120,000 miles.
- RecurrentHigh oil consumption in some later models
Mentioned alongside the cylinder head issue as a potential problem for some vehicles.
- IsolatedWide turning radius
Noted as requiring adjustment due to the vehicle's length.
+ 1 more issueShow fewer
- IsolatedHeavy steering feel
Described as sport-oriented but heavier than some competitors.
The version owners recommend
Higher trims such as Grand Touring and Signature are frequently mentioned for maximizing luxury features, premium materials, and technology content. The Signature trim, in particular, is associated with a highly upscale interior experience. There is a strong emphasis on seeking Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles or later model years (2022-2023) to avoid the known engine defect and gain the benefit of extended factory warranty coverage.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Acura MDX, Kia Carnival and Ford Explorer.
Is the CX-9 right for you?
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Overall sentiment
Predominantly positive sentiment, with the vehicle widely praised for its exceptional driving dynamics, premium interior feel, and strong value proposition. Long-term owner reports consistently highlight its car-like, sporty handling, comfortable and quiet cabin, and upscale styling as key strengths. The consensus indicates high satisfaction among owners who prioritize driving enjoyment and a premium experience in a three-row family SUV. However, a significant and well-documented criticism centers on a specific engine defect affecting certain model years, which has created notable apprehension among prospective buyers. This serious reliability concern tempers the otherwise glowing feedback, creating a dichotomy between highly satisfied owners and those wary of a potential catastrophic failure.
Positioning vs competitors
Positioned as a sportier, more engaging driving alternative to mainstream three-row SUVs like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. It is consistently described as handling like a much smaller car, with superior cornering ability, a quieter cabin, and a more premium, luxurious interior feel compared to those competitors. It is frequently compared favorably to luxury offerings like the Acura MDX for its driving dynamics, though the MDX is noted to have more power. The Kia Carnival is acknowledged as offering more space. The newer Mazda CX-90 is seen as its direct successor, offering newer technology and a different powertrain but with reported initial reliability issues, leading many in the community to view the CX-9 as the more proven, reliable choice despite its aging platform.
Recommended configurations
All-wheel drive (AWD) is commonly recommended for improved traction and resale value. Seeking a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle is very frequently advised to obtain extended warranty protection, specifically for the powertrain. For used models, targeting vehicles produced after the engine fix (post-June 2020 for the 2.5T engine) is strongly recommended. An extended warranty is considered essential for any model within the affected production range.
General recommendations
Highly recommended for driving enthusiasts and families who prioritize handling, interior refinement, and a premium feel over maximum cargo space. It is considered an excellent value, especially on the used market. Prospective buyers are strongly advised to thoroughly research the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to confirm if a specific vehicle falls within the range affected by the cylinder head cracking issue. A pre-purchase inspection is critical, with a focus on checking for coolant leaks or consumption. Negotiating from a position of knowledge regarding this known defect is suggested. For peace of mind, prioritizing a CPO warranty or purchasing an extended warranty is considered a prudent financial safeguard.
Remarks
The engine defect (cylinder head cracking) is the single most defining issue in owner discussions, creating significant buyer apprehension and fundamentally shaping the used vehicle evaluation process. The problem is confined to the 2.5-liter turbocharged Skyactiv-G engine in vehicles produced before June 9, 2020. Models from 2022-2023 are considered free of this issue and are often cited as safe choices. The vehicle's platform and 6-speed automatic transmission are described as older but proven. Owner satisfaction among those without the engine issue is exceptionally high, with the CX-9 frequently described as the best car an owner has ever had. The vehicle has been discontinued and replaced by the CX-90, leading to discussions about parts availability, but the consensus is that parts for the high-volume CX-9 will remain available for the foreseeable future. Analysis based on approximately 35 substantive owner discussions and references.
Generation by generation
Owner insights per generation and US complaint/recall records (NHTSA).
Complaints and recalls by model yearWorst year: 2010. Years to avoid: 2018, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008Source: NHTSA (US)Show table
Each year graded against the model's other years: Year Score. See all Mazda CX-9 years to avoid
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 0 | unknown or other |
| 2022 | 10 | 0 | electrical system |
| 2021 | 39 | 1 | engine |
| 2020 | 19 | 1 | engine |
| 2019 | 53 | 2 | engine |
| 2018 | 128 | 2 | engine |
| 2017 | 61 | 0 | engine |
| 2016 | 99 | 0 | engine |
| 2015 | 35 | 2 | engine |
| 2014 | 54 | 3 | engine |
| 2013 | 68 | 4 | engine |
| 2012 | 221 | 4 | service brakes |
| 2011 | 170 | 4 | service brakes |
| 2010 | 195 | 6 | service brakes |
Complaint counts come from owner reports filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices47 on record · Source: NHTSA (US)Show recalls
2021 · seats:mid/rear assemblycampaign 21V750000
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
2020 · seats:mid/rear assemblycampaign 21V750000
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
2019 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 21V875000
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.
2019 · tires:tread/beltcampaign 19V770000
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.
2018 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 21V875000
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.
2018 · electrical system:wiringcampaign 19V403000
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.
2015 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V717000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2015 · steeringcampaign 16V203000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.
2014 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V717000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2014 · suspension:front:control arm:lower ball jointcampaign 15V451000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 CX-9 vehicles manufactured October 24, 2006, to December 28, 2013. The affected vehicles have front suspension ball joints that may corrode from water leaking into the fitting.
2014 · steeringcampaign 16V203000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.
2013 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V717000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2013 · suspension:front:control arm:lower ball jointcampaign 15V451000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 CX-9 vehicles manufactured October 24, 2006, to December 28, 2013. The affected vehicles have front suspension ball joints that may corrode from water leaking into the fitting.
2013 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V018000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2013 Mazda6 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2010 Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 Mazda6, CX-7, and CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2013 · steeringcampaign 16V203000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.
32 older recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Specifications
2.5 SKYACTIV-G
2.5L 4-cylinder · 250 hp · FWD · automatic
Built 2016–2023