YearToAvoid

2009 Mazda CX-9 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

69/100

#6 most-complained of 17 CX-9 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2009 Mazda CX-9 has 59 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 69 out of 100 — #6 highest of 17 CX-9 model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is brakes (17 complaints, 29% of the total). Complaints report 2 crashes.

Complaints
59
Recalls
6
incl. Do Not Drive
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
17.5
15.5 city / 21.5 hwy

Top 2009 Mazda CX-9 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes17 (29%)
  2. Airbags16 (27%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (17%)
  4. Engine6 (10%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain6 (10%)
  6. Electrical System2 (3%)
  7. Other2 (3%)
  8. Seat Belts2 (3%)
  9. Steering2 (3%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers1 (2%)
2009 Mazda CX-9 complaints: complaints filed per month6Mar 2010Jul 2013Jan 2016Dec 2016Jul 2017Mar 2019Aug 2020
64 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2010 to Jun 2026; peak Sep 2015 (6).

2009 Mazda CX-9 recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V782000Oct 31, 2019Airbags69,879 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 18V018000Jan 9, 2018Airbags70,227 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

  3. NHTSA 17V457000Jul 18, 2017Airbags79,402 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2012 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 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 included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 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 included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2007-2008 CX-7 and CX-9 sold, or 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. 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 rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 17V-012.

See all 6 recalls for the 2009 Mazda CX-9 →

2009 Mazda CX-9 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15.5 MPG
Highway
21.5 MPG
Combined
17.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,700
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2009 compared with other CX-9 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Caution50865 !17.5
2008Avoid811725 !17.5
2009Caution69596 !17.5
2010Avoid1001956 !17.5
2011Avoid881704 !19

All Mazda CX-9 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Mazda CX-9 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Mazda CX-9 ranks #6 of 17 among CX-9 model years (Complaint Index 69/100, verdict: Caution). It has 59 complaints and 6 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Mazda CX-9?
The most reported problem areas are brakes (17 complaints), airbags (16 complaints), and suspension, wheels & tires (10 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 85,000 miles.
Does the 2009 Mazda CX-9 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2009 Mazda CX-9, most recently reported 2019, covering airbags, suspension, wheels & tires, and electrical system. At least one carries a Do Not Drive advisory.
What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Mazda CX-9?
EPA rates the 2009 Mazda CX-9 at 17.5 MPG combined (15.5 city / 21.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.