Mazda Cx-9 problems

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.
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Mazda Cx-9 model years
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.
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
Latest positive Mazda Cx-9 car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2023
The Mazda CX-9 has a lot of great features that make it stand out in its segment. The handling is exceptional, providing a smooth and comfortable ride without sacrificing performance. The turbo engine provides decent acceleration, especially in the 40-70 mph range, with no turbo lag. The ride is smooth and composed, giving a premium-like feel. Additionally, the noise level is much quieter at highway speeds compared to other vehicles in its class. The third row is very spacious and has cupholders, additional storage, and its own USB port, making it more suitable for kids and teenagers. The second row also has its own climate controls. The knob interface is easy to use and after getting used to it, I no longer regret not having a touchscreen. Mazda has also fixed the problems it had 5-7 years ago, such as weak AC and horrible headlights, making it a great choice. The build quality and interior materials are also great, surpassing competitors from Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and others in this price category. The leather looks, feels, and smells like real leather, not like some PU. However, the collision mitigation system is very sensitive, even at the low radar setting, and can cause issues. It's important to be careful when changing lanes too aggressively, as it may engage. Additionally, there may be some hesitation/jerking from the transmission when accelerating from a rolling stop, especially downhill, which appears to be a transmission issue hunting between 1-2 gears.The transmission issue only occurred 5-7 times and seems to have mostly disappeared after my dealer reprogrammed it at 7k miles. I did experience some transmission lurching/jumping forward at lower speeds, but it only happened a total of 5-7 times. Once it happened when I pulled into the garage. The issue still happens occasionally and was not fixed with the transmission reprogramming by the dealer. However, shifting into neutral and back into drive usually takes care of it, although sometimes it would require an engine shut off/restart for it to go away. Additionally, the seats are not too comfortable and there are no memory settings on Touring (you would have to get Touring Plus for that). Keep an eye on the oil level (I usually check it every other refuel, so far so good). On the downside, depreciation is horrible, so prepare to lose 20% of the value in year 1. If you drive aggressively, prepare for some unpleasant surprises. My fuel consumption is 19.2 mpg and my front tires are at 50% after 10k miles. The tires that come from the factory on these are terrible and don't even have a tread life warranty from the manufacturer. I also suspect the front brake pads won't last longer than 20-25k miles as the brakes feel weak for such a large vehicle. Overall, I would rate it 3.7 - 3.8 out of 5.1. In the one year update, all of the above still applies. The build quality is great and the handling is excellent. It is very stable (and quiet) even at 100mph. All the transmission issues disappeared (knock on wood), and I haven't felt anything for the past 3-4 months. It seems like reprogramming by the dealer took care of the problem. MPG still sucks and hasn't improved at all (still at 19 MPG combined). The best I've seen was 24-25 mpg (if I really baby it). Zero oil consumption issues after 12K miles (knock on wood again). Lastly, for those who live in hot climates, the turbo SUBSTANTIALLY under-performs when it's above 90 degrees outside.We've been experiencing a heat wave here in TX with temperatures reaching 110-115 degrees. I've noticed that during my morning commute, my car feels normal, but during my 4-5pm drive, it sometimes feels like I have no turbo at all!
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Vehicle year: 2021
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!
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Vehicle year: 2009
Driving this vehicle is a real treat! The AWD version makes it feel like the car is driving on two rails, it holds the road so well. The interior is incredibly quiet, with very little road noise. Although the front driver seats seem a little narrow with the huge center console, the overall design is excellent and very sporty. The standard blue tooth is a nice touch and my wife absolutely LOVES this vehicle. We are so glad we didn't get a Pilot or Highlander. While some people complain about the gas mileage, it's important to remember that it's an SUV and they all consume too much gas. The CX-9 was very close in MPG to its competitors. Thank you for considering this amazing vehicle!
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Vehicle year: 2013
I hope you're doing well! I noticed that you have about 500 miles on your 2013 CX9 AWD Grand Touring SUV. It's great to hear that you were looking for reliability, technical options, comfort, a quiet ride, and seven seats. You mentioned that you looked at a variety of options, including the GM suite of products (Enclave, Acadia, Traverse), Toyota Highlander, BMW X5, and Acura MDX. After seeing that the CX9 had a consumer rated reliability index of 92, which is higher than the Highlander, you added it to your list. Ultimately, you decided between the Highlander and CX9. I completely understand why you didn't trust the GM products, and I agree that the Acura MDX and BMW X5 can be quite expensive. In comparison to the Highlander Ltd, the CX9 GT has a better middle seat, better technical options, a better ride, and is a much better value. It's great to hear that you paid $37k out the door for it!
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Vehicle year: 2011
After conducting extensive research and test driving, we ultimately chose the CX-9. We narrowed our options down to the Highlander and the CX-9 based on reviews and recommendations from friends. We decided to eliminate Ford due to previous problems we had with our Ford Explorer, and GM and Honda due to their higher price points. Ultimately, we found that Toyota and Mazda offered the best value. The CX-9 won us over with its exceptional handling and spacious interior. We even compared it to the Audi Q7 and found that the Mazda was just as impressive in all aspects, but at a much more affordable price point.
Karson Heller 2025-03-29
Vehicle year: 2010
The interior is average and the plastics used feel cheap. The seats are not very comfortable and the ride can be rough, with every tine ridge on the road being felt. Additionally, the car lacks power when going uphill. The sheet metal body has a light tin feeling, which may not be to everyone's liking. At almost 40k, the car may not be worth the price. Unfortunately, some owners have reported issues with the heated seats, which have caused electrical malfunctions and fire hazards. While there is no fix available from the dealer yet, Mazda is likely working on a solution. It is important to note that there have been no reports of spontaneous combustion. Overall, it is important to weigh the pros and cons before making a purchase decision.
Brandt Gibson 2025-03-24
Vehicle year: 2010
We have encountered some issues with our CX9 that have left us feeling dissatisfied. The gas mileage is much lower than advertised and the car feels heavy and sluggish when passing on the highway or going uphill. Additionally, we have noticed a design flaw with the doors. They are unnecessarily heavy and unbalanced, causing them to fall hard to a full open position when parked level. As the doors are quite large, they can catch the wind and open forcefully. Unfortunately, the check strap on the door is under-engineered for such a heavy door and broke within 45 days, causing $1500 worth of damage. We have attempted to contact Mazda regarding this issue, but have not received a response. Overall, we are disappointed with our experience with the CX9 and Mazda, and would not recommend them.
Urban Dibbert 2025-03-22
Vehicle year: 2014
I had a similar experience. I purchased a certified car with an extended warranty at 60k, but unfortunately, the water pump and brake booster failure issues were not disclosed to me by either corporate Mazda or the buy happy dealer. The water pump failed at 110k, and the dealer suggested a new engine for $10k, claiming that the engine was not repairable. It was frustrating to deal with these issues, especially since there were already lawsuits filed about them. It would have been much better if they had communicated the known issue and replaced the water pump. Despite these issues, I still love the car for its comfortable and beautiful driving experience. However, Mazda has lost my respect and credibility, similar to Toyota and their brake failure issue. On a positive note, I was able to get the engine cleaned and fixed by an honest mechanic for a fraction of the cost, and the car has been driving well again without needing a brand new engine. Mazda's push for a new engine when it was not necessary was another failure on their part. I have decided not to purchase another Mazda again, and I believe they need to be held accountable for their actions. Thank you for reading.
Amir Kling 2025-03-21
Vehicle year: 2009
The water pump failure in this car is a design flaw that can cause coolant to mix with oil, ultimately leading to engine damage. While I have previously enjoyed this car, this issue has caused significant frustration. It is imperative that Mazda addresses this problem. As evidenced by numerous reports online and a class action lawsuit, this is a widespread issue that requires immediate attention.
Tyson Effertz 2025-03-12
Vehicle year: 2014
I strongly believe that this car is a great choice, however, I must admit that the water pump issue at 38,000 miles and 6 years old was a disappointment. Unfortunately, due to a poor design, the entire engine had to be replaced. Despite this setback, I am confident in the overall quality of the car. It is my hope that Mazda corporate or the dealership will take steps to improve their customer service and show their customers that they truly value their business.