Mazda CX-9 Best and Worst Years (2007–2023)
Avoid the 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2018 Mazda CX-9 model years. The 2010 and 2012 years post the worst complaint indexes (100 and 94) with brake failures dominating, while 2018 saw engine problems and airbag wiring recalls. Best years by complaint data are 2017, 2020, 2022, and 2023.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2008Avoid 2010Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2018Best 2017Best 2020Best 2022Best 2023
- Model years
- 17
- 2007–2023
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,487
- Recall campaigns
- 13
- Crashes reported
- 62
- Fires reported
- 13
- Top problem area
- Brakes
CX-9 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Mazda CX-9 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Caution | 50 | 86 | 2 | 1 | 5 ! | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 17.5 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 81 | 172 | 10 | 0 | 5 ! | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 17.5 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 69 | 59 | 2 | 0 | 6 ! | Brakes | 17.5 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 100 | 195 | 7 | 5 | 6 ! | Brakes | 17.5 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 88 | 170 | 7 | 3 | 4 ! | Brakes | 19 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 94 | 221 | 9 | 0 | 4 ! | Brakes | 19 | — |
| 2013 | Caution | 44 | 68 | 3 | 1 | 4 ! | Engine | 19 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 25 | 54 | 1 | 1 | 3 ! | Engine | 19 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 31 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 2 ! | Engine | 19 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 63 | 105 | 3 | 1 | 0 | Engine | 23.5 | — |
| 2017 | Best | 19 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 23.5 | — |
| 2018 | Avoid | 75 | 128 | 4 | 1 | 2 | Engine | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 38 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Best | 6 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 56 | 39 | 7 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 0 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 23 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 13 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 23 | 5★ |
CX-9 years to avoid: what went wrong
2010 Mazda CX-9 Index 100 · 195 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2010 CX-9 has the worst complaint index of any year, 100, and ranks 1st worst overall. Brakes drive nearly half of all complaints (48 percent), with failures reported around 83,600 miles. Engine problems make up another 18 percent near 70,617 miles. NHTSA lists six recalls for this year, four of them Do Not Drive campaigns for airbag inflators. Crash and fire counts are also elevated compared to most other CX-9 years.
2010 brakes problems →2010 engine problems →2010 transmission & powertrain problems →
2012 Mazda CX-9 Index 94 · 221 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2012 CX-9 ranks 2nd worst with a complaint index of 94. Brakes are by far the largest issue, at 65 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 56,622. Engine complaints follow at 14 percent near 57,000 miles. This year has four recalls, three of them Do Not Drive campaigns tied to Takata airbag inflators. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in low-speed crashes as well.
2012 brakes problems →2012 engine problems →2012 airbags problems →
2011 Mazda CX-9 Index 88 · 170 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2011 CX-9 ranks 3rd worst with a complaint index of 88. Brakes dominate at 59 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 71,225. Transmission and powertrain issues follow at 15 percent, failing around 87,000 miles. Four recalls apply to this year, three of them Do Not Drive airbag inflator campaigns. Owners also reported airbag non-deployment in crashes.
2011 brakes problems →2011 transmission & powertrain problems →2011 airbags problems →
2008 Mazda CX-9 Index 81 · 172 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2008 CX-9 has a complaint index of 81 and ranks 4th worst of 17 model years. Suspension, wheels, and tires make up 36 percent of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 108,650 miles. Brakes account for another 20 percent, failing around 77,088 miles. Owners also reported airbag problems near 120,000 miles. The year carries five recalls, three of them Do Not Drive campaigns tied to Takata airbag inflators shared with other Mazda models.
2008 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2008 brakes problems →2008 airbags problems →
2018 Mazda CX-9 Index 75 · 128 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2018 CX-9 has a complaint index of 75 and ranks 5th worst. Engine problems dominate at 61 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 72,000. Electrical system issues follow at 13 percent, failing much earlier at a median of 10,352 miles. The year has two recalls: one for a fuel pump impeller that may crack, and one for a wiring harness that could disable the passenger airbag, turn signals, or the engine starting system.
Most common Mazda CX-9 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Brakes458 (31%)
- Engine400 (27%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires187 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain164 (11%)
- Airbags147 (10%)
- Other129 (9%)
- Electrical System100 (7%)
- Steering62 (4%)
- Structure & Body57 (4%)
- Fuel System46 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Mazda CX-9 years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2012 for brake and suspension complaints, plus 2018 for engine and electrical issues. These five years carry the highest complaint indexes among the 17 model years covered, ranging from 75 to 100.
- What is the best Mazda CX-9 year to buy?
- 2017, 2020, 2022, and 2023 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 19, 6, 0, and 13 respectively. 2019 is rated Good with an index of 38.
- Why is the 2010 Mazda CX-9 rated Avoid?
- The 2010 CX-9 has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, driven mainly by brake complaints (48 percent of its total) with a median failure mileage of 83,600. It also has six recalls, four of them Do Not Drive campaigns.
- Does the Mazda CX-9 have brake problems?
- Brakes are the top overall problem area across all CX-9 years, accounting for 458 complaints, or 31 percent of the total 1,487 complaints. The issue is concentrated in 2010, 2011, and 2012, where brakes made up 48 to 65 percent of each year's complaints.
- Are any Mazda CX-9 years affected by Takata airbag recalls?
- Yes. The 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2012 CX-9 years all carry Do Not Drive recalls tied to Takata airbag inflators, some issued as late as 2019.