Mazda Cx-9 problems

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The Mazda CX-9 is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured by Mazda in Japan since 2006 through two generations With three-row seating, it was Mazda's largest passenger vehicle until the arrival of the CX-90.

Despite being built in Japan at Mazda's Ujina #1 plant in Hiroshima Prefecture, the CX-9 was never offered in the Japanese domestic market. The shorter and narrower Mazda CX-8 was offered in Japan instead.

First generation (TB; 2006)

The first generation CX-9 was originally fitted with a 3.5 L Ford V6 engine, but, in 2008, the engine was changed to a 3.7 L unit producing 204 kW (274 hp) and 366 N⋅m (270 lb⋅ft) of torque. The updated engine was introduced in June 2007 and it was now built by Mazda themselves. This engine was coupled with a six speed automatic transmission. The first generation is based on the Ford CD3 platform that is shared with many Ford and Mazda models; the Ford Edge is its close mechanical sibling. It was launched at the 2006 New York International Auto Show.

Standard safety equipment included blind spot monitoring, backup camera, electronic stability control, traction control, roll stability control, front side impact airbags, and three row side curtain airbags.

photo of Mazda Cx-9 car production

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Mazda Cx-9 model years

mazda cx-9 2023 photo
Cx-9 2023
Mazda

5

0

30

2.6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-9 2022 photo
Cx-9 2022
Mazda

4

0

46

2
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-9 2021 photo
Cx-9 2021
Mazda

29

1

30

2.1
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-9 2020 photo
Cx-9 2020
Mazda

8

1

47

2
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-9 2019 photo
Cx-9 2019
Mazda

39

2

48

1.9
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-9 2018 photo
Cx-9 2018
Mazda

103

2

46

2.3
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-9 2017 photo
Cx-9 2017
Mazda

52

0

25

2
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-9 2016 photo
Cx-9 2016
Mazda

93

0

45

2.2
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-9 2015 photo
Cx-9 2015
Mazda

34

2

33

2.7
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-9 2014 photo
Cx-9 2014
Mazda

53

3

44

2.2
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-9 2013 photo
Cx-9 2013
Mazda

65

4

32

2
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-9 2012 photo
Cx-9 2012
Mazda

219

4

35

2.1
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-9 2011 photo
Cx-9 2011
Mazda

165

4

44

2.4
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-9 2010 photo
Cx-9 2010
Mazda

191

6

48

2
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-9 2009 photo
Cx-9 2009
Mazda

58

7

47

2.5
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-9 2008 photo
Cx-9 2008
Mazda

172

6

43

2
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-9 2007 photo
Cx-9 2007
Mazda

85

5

48

2.2
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

Common Mazda Cx-9 problems

Based on complaints from owners of the Mazda CX-9, several common problems have been reported:

  • Engine Problems:
    • Owners have reported various engine-related issues with the Mazda CX-9, including faulty water pumps, coolant leaks, ignition coil problems, and total engine failure.
  • Transmission Concerns:
    • While not as common as other issues, complaints about transmission problems have been noted, with transfer case failure being a frequent problem.
  • Electrical/Internal Accessories Malfunctions:
    • The Mazda CX-9 has experienced internal accessory malfunctions powered by the vehicle's electrical system, leading to issues like infotainment problems, GPS issues, bad alternators, and dead car batteries. These problems typically arise after around 15,000 miles of use.
  • Paint Quality:
    • Some owners have expressed concerns about the Soul Red crystal metallic paint used on the Mazda CX-9, particularly in models from 2017-2018. The paint has been reported to be thin, prone to flaking, and challenging to touch up due to its complex composition.

These common problems reported by Mazda CX-9 owners highlight the importance of thorough inspections and maintenance to address these issues promptly and ensure the longevity and reliability of the vehicle.

Mazda Cx-9

Are Mazda CX-9 reliable cars?

In studies completed by Repair Pal, the Mazda CX-9 achieved a reliability score of 4 out of 5, which ranks first out of 14 full-size SUVs rated. Compared to the average, the Mazda CX-9 was found to have a lower annual repair cost and far less severe repair issues than similar vehicles.

What are the issues with the Mazda CX-9?

Common Mazda CX-9 Problems

Water pump failure - According to CarComplaints.com, the number one problem of the CX-9 is its faulty water pump, mainly due to collateral damage. Once the water pump fails, the coolant leaks into the engine oil and may lead to engine failure.

What is the best year of the Mazda CX-9 to buy?

When it comes to the first-generation models, many agree that the best years to consider are: 2007, 2009, 2013, 2014, and 2015. While the 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2012 models can still be quality models, they do have more recorded issues than the others.

Is Mazda discontinuing the CX-9?

The 2023 model year will be the last for the three-row crossover, which is being replaced by the more upscale CX-90. The Mazda CX-9 will be discontinued after the 2023 model year, the company announced in a press release.

Percentage distribution of complaints by Mazda Cx-9 years

We have researched Mazda problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Mazda Cx-9 cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Mazda Cx-9 model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Mazda Cx-9 model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Mazda Cx-9 years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Mazda Cx-9 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Mazda Cx-9 , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

  • Service brakes problems
  • Engine problems
  • Power train problems
  • Suspension problems
  • Air bags problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Mazda Cx-9 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Cx-9 model years

A total of 54 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Cx-9 model years

There were a total of 12 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Cx-9 model years

There were a total of 36 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 1375 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Mazda Cx-9 . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Mazda Cx-9 vehicles.

Latest 25 complaints

Mazda Cx-9 2018
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-10-21
  • Date Complaint: 2024-10-27
  • VIN: JM3TCBEY4J0
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: My vehicle was low on antifreeze. I brought it into the dealer and had them look at it. They told me there was an antifreeze leak inside the engine. I told them, I think there's a service bulletin on it. TSB-01-013-21 And there are updates to it. They told me that the antifreeze leak does not pertain to this service bulletin. I told them, how can that be? When it's an antifreeze leak with an engine that only has 66000 miles on it so far. I spoke to mazda customer service in California They said the dealer is trying to get some financial relief for me to replace a $10000 engine. Which they said is on back order till march 2025. I said how can this leak not be a problem when the engine is on back order, I feel that this should not have happened With a engine, that has 66000 miles on it? And it should be fixed free of charge because antifreeze leak is a known problem with these engines since 2016, and they never notified me to bring it in and have the defective part fixed Which causes the antifreeze leak. If they did that, my engine would not have blown and would not need replacement. I'm hoping they understand and do the right thing and fix this.
Mazda Cx-9 2016
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-10-24
  • Date Complaint: 2024-10-24
  • VIN: JM3TCBCY6G0
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: Vehicle failed to turn off the engine while in park and I was unable to lock vehicle while engine was still running. The ignition button failed to work.
Mazda Cx-9 2018
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-18
  • Date Complaint: 2024-10-20
  • VIN: JM3TCABY1J0
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: I purchased a 2018 Mazda cx9 from a local used car dealer several weeks ago. Check engine light came on after a few weeks for cylinder 3 misfire and there was a steep decline of the vehicle performance (hard start, rough idle, lower mpg, sluggish driving). Took it to Berge Mazda who charged me for diagnostics/spark plugs, and ignition coil. They informed me the next steps were a compression tests, fuel injectors and if that didn’t fix the problem then they wanted to strip down the engine to evaluate the cylinder head. At this point I decided to take it to my local mechanic who I trust, he diagnosed a cracked cylinder head. Now I’m stuck with a car I just bought that’s unsafe to drive needing a 6-8k repair. Upon further research there is a widespread problem with Mazda’s manufacturing of there cylinder heads on certain models (including the 2018 Mazda cx9). This is confirmed by TSB’s from Mazda along with a class action lawsuit recently filed. Upon more research on my vehicles history, I gathered that my vehicle was traded into Horne Mazda and then a couple days later auctioned to the used car dealer I bought it from. The fact that Mazda is selling off their own defective vehicles that are unsafe at auctions is absolutely disgusting and something needs to be done about it.
Mazda Cx-9 2011
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-10-20
  • Date Complaint: 2024-10-20
  • VIN: JM3TB3DA0B0
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: Brake booster failure. The power assisted braking has stopped working. There are no leaking vacuum hoses and the check valve is working. The brake pedal travels to the floorboard.
Mazda Cx-9 2019
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-14
  • Date Complaint: 2024-10-16
  • VIN: JM3TCBDY3K0
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: 2019 CX-9 GT, 30K miles, in August found coolant leaking under the car. This was 5 months past the warranty (but only 30K miles!). After doing research online, I found this is a massively common issue with all engines from several years encompassing 2019, where the coolant leaks due to a cracked cylinder head. There is a TSB from Mazda, which requires replacement of the engine, once the crack is developed. I immediately called Mazda corporate on 8/15/2024 and opened the case with them. They said they can try to assist, but first I have to take the car to the dealer for diagnosis of the problem. Had to wait 2 weeks, then leave the car, they did a full inspection and confirmed cracked cylinder head. Dealer opened up claim with Mazda (which apparently is separate from the case I made when I called the corporate). I had to go back because Mazda warranty dept. was asking the dealer to prove the engine was overheating, which it hasn't yet, because I kept adding coolant, so the engine never overheated. But the dealer lowered the coolant and had the engine overheat a little bit just to generate the computer code the warranty dept was requiring. This itself was an unnecessary additional potentially damaging scenario, completely unnecessary when the crack in the cylinder head was already found, and the coolant leak is clearly present. After all this, Mazda lowered their original quote from $10K to $6K and expect me to pay this to replace the engine. I called the corporate (customer relations) many times, but they said if the warranty dept. decided this, they cannot change it. And there's no way to talk to warranty dept. directly (not customer facing). We purchased a brand new factory assembled car for well over $40K. Due to a very common, Mazda acknowledged, engine manufacturing defect, the major component of the vehicle, its engine, requires replacement at only 30K miles! This is NOT a reasonable expectancy when purchasing any vehicle.
Mazda Cx-9 2021
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-26
  • Date Complaint: 2024-10-15
  • VIN: JM3TCBCYXM0
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: Hello, I have been to a Mazda dealer complaining of clicking and squeaky brakes for 2 years now. Dealer replaced both front and back breaks and rotors around 22k year ago and to my surprise the issues persist, currently vehicle is at 49k. There is a TSB( 04-001/22) out for my vin and year, so they know its a manufacturing defect and all they do is throw white break grease and a month later the noise is there again when breaking , backing up. I am not the only one, people of reddit confirm this and so does a general google search. Besides that i love the car and the dealer was super cool about it all but I'm sorry, this is unacceptable, Every time i go get an oil change i ask about a fix and nothing.
Mazda Cx-9 2021
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-12-29
  • Date Complaint: 2024-10-11
  • VIN: JM3TCACY8M0
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: Please add the 2021 CX9 model to the following bulletin. [XXX] This is exactly what is happening with my car and is extremely frustrating that a recall has not been issued to fix the problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Mazda Cx-9 2018
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-30
  • Date Complaint: 2024-10-09
  • VIN: JM3TCADY4J0
  • Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: - My 2018 Mazda CX 9 started stalling and jittering at idle and then eventually during slow driving. - Next day I got a check engine light, took to Mazda service center at the dealership I have been going to for last 6 years since I bought the car. - Service center diagnosed that there was a coolant leak through the cylinder head which seems to have cracked. - Further investigation indicated that this has been identified on many other similar Mazda engines and a Technical Service Bulletin had been issued by Mazda to Dealers. - On probing initially, dealership declined they were aware of any such problem. - The amount of repair for the engine replacement (cylinder head and other parts) is exuberant and is almost half of the value of my car, and is not expected for a low 44,000 miles car. - This had posed safety issue for my family since the stressed engine with leak in cylinder head could lead to fire and fatality. - I am awaiting response from Dealership and Mazda corporation case#[XXX] for a response especially when this issue has been filed under a class action lawsuit: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Mazda Cx-9 2018
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-30
  • Date Complaint: 2024-10-02
  • VIN: JM3TCBDY3J0
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: Engine cylinder head is leaking coolant. This is a known issue by Mazda as they have submitted a TSB on the issue but have yet to submit a recall. The leak causes overheating along with pollution of coolant fluid into the environment. The problem was diagnosed by a Mazda dealership. The leaking occurred before a light came on the dashboard. The light on the dashboard only came on once the engine began overheating.
Mazda Cx-9 2021
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-15
  • Date Complaint: 2024-10-01
  • VIN: JM3TCBDY4M0
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and turning, there was a popping sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The front-end popping sound also occurred while driving over bumps in the roadway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,811.
Mazda Cx-9 2016
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-28
  • Date Complaint: 2024-10-01
  • VIN: JM3TCBCY4G0
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: Cylinder head coolant leak. No warning lights.
Mazda Cx-9 2019
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-09
  • Date Complaint: 2024-09-27
  • VIN: JM3TCBCYXK0
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: My 2019 Mazda CX9 when you turn the steering wheel it makes a clicking noise. I brought car to a mechanic and was told there is a loose bolt in steering column. Mazda has a TSB bulletin on this issue TSB# 06-001/24 dated 01/23/2024. When I brought car to Palisades Mazda two other customers on line with me have the same issue. I looked on internet and found alot of people are having the same issue. Mazda is aware of this problem and it is a defect. Mazda is fixing this problem for cars under warranty but charging customers past warranty to replace the complete steering column to fix a loose bolt,
Mazda Cx-9 2018
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-21
  • Date Complaint: 2024-09-27
  • VIN: JM3TCBCY0J0
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: Over heating /coolant leak
Mazda Cx-9 2018
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-20
  • Date Complaint: 2024-09-21
  • VIN: JM3TCBCY5J0
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
  • Summary: coolant leaks at cylinder head , Mazda of America knows issues but not willing to recall , they hava a bulletin number 01-002/23 . pls help
Mazda Cx-9 2018
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-26
  • Date Complaint: 2024-09-16
  • VIN: JM3TCBDY7J0
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: While driving on an interstate service drive in Michigan, my 2018 Mazda CX9 GT suddenly lost power and began flashing overheating warnings. I tried to move my vehicle to a safe spot while the warning and sudden loss of power was happening, which took a moment due to traffic flow and my family being in the car. I moved the car off the road, and let it cool. I slowly drove the car to a parts store to get coolant. Once the cooling system was filled, I brought the car home and began researching the problem. According to internet threads like Reddit this is a wide spread problem happening among Mazda vehicles with several law firms researching class action lawsuits. My car is stuck at the dealership until I can find $12,000 to fix it, and sadly there are hundreds more just like me according to sites like [XXX] and [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] And includes a Mazda Service Bulletin which indicates that there are design faults in the original cylinder head that causes the issue and that repair techs should replace failed parts with the updated and redesigned cylinder head. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Latest 5 recalls Mazda Cx-9

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 47 recalls for different components of the Mazda Cx-9.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

  • Model: Mazda Cx-9 2019
  • Report Received Date: 2021-11-12
  • Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • 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.
  • Model: Mazda Cx-9 2018
  • Report Received Date: 2021-11-12
  • Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • 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.
  • Model: Mazda Cx-9 2020
  • Report Received Date: 2021-09-27
  • Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
  • Components: SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
  • Summary: 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."
  • Consequence: A seat that slides forward during a crash can transfer excessive force onto a belted occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
  • 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. Mazda's number for this recall is 5221I.
  • Model: Mazda Cx-9 2021
  • Report Received Date: 2021-09-27
  • Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
  • Components: SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
  • Summary: 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."
  • Consequence: A seat that slides forward during a crash can transfer excessive force onto a belted occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
  • 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. Mazda's number for this recall is 5221I.
  • Model: Mazda Cx-9 2010
  • Report Received Date: 2019-10-31
  • Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
  • Park It: 1
  • Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
  • Summary: 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. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
  • Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
  • 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. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V356 and 17V012.

Latest negative Mazda Cx-9 car reviews

  1. Jamey Wolf 2025-10-19

    Vehicle year: 2010

    Although my 2010 CX-9 started off well, it has unfortunately experienced several issues such as blown lights, a malfunctioning A/C, a faulty water pump that caused engine damage, and now idle surging and A/C issues. As a result, I am in the market for a new car.

  2. Nathanial Harris 2025-10-12

    Vehicle year: 2022

    I brought my 2021 CX-9 Grand Touring into Mazda three weeks ago because the computer and electronic systems were not working. Unfortunately, the radio, navigation, heads up display, charging ports, and clock were all affected. Despite the issue, Mazda did not have a fix for it at the time and informed me that they were working on it. However, I did not receive any updates or calls back from them. I was disappointed, especially since I had only owned the car for nine weeks. Mazda did not offer any help or answers to make things right. UPDATE: I am happy to report that Mazda has finally found a fix for the computer system. They have updated it, and all 2021 Mazda CX-9's will require this update. They have resolved the issue, and I will update you on how the fix works after a few thousand miles.

  3. Morton Stokes 2025-10-09

    Vehicle year: 2011

    Hi there! Just wanted to let you know that the transmission unfortunately went at 91,400 miles. The estimate for repairs is around $8,000. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

  4. Ansley Nienow 2025-09-28

    Vehicle year: 2014

    Hi there! The car has had one owner and has been well-maintained with regular oil changes. Unfortunately, the water pump and timing chain (Po216 code) recently failed, which can be quite expensive to repair. It's important to note that these repairs may not fully reveal the extent of the engine damage. Some ASE-certified mechanics may refuse to do the work due to concerns about the design history. In fact, there is currently a lawsuit pending regarding Ford Lincoln water pump engine failures (https://www.ktmc.com/ford-lincoln-water-pump-engine-failure).

  5. Deven Schulist 2025-09-21

    Vehicle year: 2023

    Our CX-9 experienced an issue where it burned a quart of oil between oil changes, which unfortunately led to misfiring and violent shaking while driving. Despite there being a service bulletin, the dealer did not acknowledge the problem or offer a solution. As a result, we had to trade it out. It's important to be aware of this issue with Mazda vehicles.

Latest positive Mazda Cx-9 car reviews

  1. Cornelius Schowalter 2025-10-21

    Vehicle year: 2017

    Looking for a smooth and peaceful ride? Look no further! Mazda has done an excellent job in achieving a quiet ride, even on rough road surfaces. At 70mph on a bumpy highway, you can still have a normal conversation inside the vehicle. That's what really impressed me. After six months of driving, I can say that everything else is excellent too, including the impressive 28 MPG on the highway. The only minor issue I've encountered is that the adaptive cruise control safety feature can sometimes go into auto braking mode unnecessarily when it detects a hazard in the adjacent lane. Overall, this vehicle is a huge improvement over the Acura MDX it replaced.

  2. Dejon Welch 2025-10-21

    Vehicle year: 2009

    Just purchased, so it's only been one week. So far, we're loving it! It's extremely fun to drive and a real head-turner in the neighborhood. I highly recommend giving it a try if you're in the market for a large crossover.

  3. Judge Hand 2025-10-20

    Vehicle year: 2022

    I'm so glad to hear that you're enjoying your new car! It sounds like it has all the features you were looking for. It's great to hear that you've had such positive experiences with Mazda in the past as well. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

  4. Sedrick Dibbert 2025-10-18

    Vehicle year: 2022

    I'm glad to hear that you like the design, handling, comfort, and smooth ride. It's great to know that it surpasses the Pilot, Explorer, and Highlander.

  5. Rico Kihn 2025-10-17

    Vehicle year: 2019

    The CX-9 is a great fit for me as the only occupant 98% of the time. It boasts a stunning design and luxurious interior, with no cheap plastic in sight. The leather is superb, and the real aluminum trim on the doors and dash, as well as the beautifully machined aluminum knobs for the infotainment system, give it a high-end feel. Despite my initial reluctance to move from a V6 to a turbo 4 cylinder, Mazda has tuned this engine to perform, and the bountiful torque means you'll never notice the difference. The chassis and suspension deliver exceptional handling and a quiet ride overall. The suite of safety features, including lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise, reactive braking, and blind spot monitoring, are engaging and actually help you drive more safely. The head's up display is outstanding, providing speed, speed limit info, safety suite feedback, and turn-by-turn directions from the nav system. The 12 speaker Bose stereo is better than any factory system I've experienced in years. However, the front cockpit is a little snug, and the front seats could have more adjustment and longer cushions for better thigh support. Third row seating is a penalty box for other than small children, but I just folded them down and expanded my cargo capacity. Interior cabin storage is also very meager. Overall, the CX-9 is a fantastic choice for those seeking a stylish and luxurious crossover.The HVAC system is a bit slow to heat/cool the interior, but it's still acceptable. The ventilated cooled seats work very well. However, the infotainment/nav system is a bit clunky to use and looks dated in appearance. Your opinion on this will depend on what your last car was. Additionally, it takes quite a while to boot up. Although the Mazda CX-9 has a 360-degree camera, the resolution is poor, which is surprising given how far miniature camera technology has advanced in recent years. The piano black trim around the shifter and door window switches is quite fragile and will scratch easily. Finally, if you're into physical media, the CX-9 does not offer a CD player. Overall, after a month of ownership, I am enjoying my new Mazda and would recommend it to anyone who needs a crossover/SUV with more room than the 2-row models, but will rarely, if ever, need to put passengers in the very back. I researched mid-sized 3-row crossovers for over a year before making this purchase and highly recommend anyone shopping for any new vehicle to spend a lot of time studying owner's forums to get the straight scoop on potential problem areas. The Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring (FWD) beat out the Toyota Highlander Limited Platinum and Honda Pilot Touring in my evaluation. One year later, I'm happy to report that my CX-9 GT has been a trouble-free pleasure to own. I've had no difficulties with this SUV and have driven a little over 7,000 miles. It rides and handles great, and the performance from the 4-cylinder turbo engine is brisk. My only annoyance is the sluggish boot-up of the infotainment system, which occasionally won't load all of the Sirius/XM stations. On mostly rural backroads and highways, I get 22-24 MPG. As I start my third year of ownership of the 2019 CX-9 GT with FWD, I'm happy to report that, despite reduced activity in 2020 due to Covid, I've only put 11,000 miles on the odometer.So far, I've had a great experience with my CX-9. It's comfortable and sporty to drive, especially for an SUV. Maintenance has been routine, with just oil/filter changes needed. The only issue I've had is with the automatic folding side mirrors. Sometimes, when the car is unlocked and the mirrors are fully deployed, they will either close completely or start to close then reopen. However, this only happens when the car is parked and the engine is off. I did some research and found out that there is a TSB about the auto-folding mirrors, which my VIN is covered under. Although the dealership couldn't reproduce the problem, they did confirm that my car is covered under the TSB. Other than that, it's been a good experience. In the past 4 years, I've driven a little over 20K miles on my 2019 CX-9 GT FWD and continue to enjoy pretty much trouble-free motoring. The electric folding mirrors continue to do strange things, but the passenger side mirror stopped folding all the way in when locking the vehicle for a few months this past winter and the dealer couldn't find a problem. Lately, it has been operating normally. Mileage remains about the same around 22-23 MPG and occasionally 24-25 on longer highway trips. One thing to note for potential pre-owned buyers is that on the Mazda 24/7 owners forum, there is an ongoing thread about issues with this generation CX-9 with the turbo 4-cyl. Some owners are having coolant leaks due to an engine defect which requires a major repair and in some cases an entire new engine. It seems earlier model years or those with higher mileage are involved, but I'm monitoring this situation closely. So, if you're considering buying a pre-owned CX-9, caveat emptor.As mentioned last time, the Mazda CX-9 turbo 4 of this generation has some well-documented engine problems that you should be aware of before making a purchase. These issues are often reported on owner's forums like Mazda 24/7, and include a coolant leak due to a cracked cylinder head or an oil leak, both of which may require a complete engine replacement that can cost thousands of pounds. While there are TSB's out on this known problem, there is no recall, and some affected owners are understandably unhappy. If you're considering buying a used 2016-2022 CX-9, I would advise you to do some research on these owner's forums to know what you're getting into. Personally, I plan to ride this out until I replace my car in early 2025, since I don't drive that much and hope the lower mileage and wear and tear will spare me this problem. 5-YEAR UPDATE: Not much else to report, at ~24K miles I continue to have no difficulties with this vehicle other than the few issues with the side mirrors I've reported on before. Once in a while, the Sirius/XM tuner fails to boot up, and I have to stop/re-start the car or go online and have Sirius/XM send the authentication code to the radio, but this is a rare occurrence. I still plan to replace it come spring 2025.

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