2010 Mazda CX-9 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2010 Mazda CX-9 ranks worst of all 17 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 195 complaints, driven mainly by brake failures (48% of complaints). It carries 6 recalls, including 4 do-not-drive airbag campaigns, earning it an Avoid verdict.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 17 CX-9 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 195
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- 4 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15.5 city / 21.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2010 Mazda CX-9 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes93 (48%)
- Engine35 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain23 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires20 (10%)
- Airbags18 (9%)
- Structure & Body10 (5%)
- Electrical System9 (5%)
- Other5 (3%)
- Steering4 (2%)
- Fuel System2 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes suddenly fail to stop the vehicle even with hard pedal pressure, sometimes causing low-speed collisions.
- Brake pedal shudders or requires repeated pressing before the vehicle finally slows down, especially in wet or snowy conditions.
- Transfer case leaks or overheats, producing a burning odor from the vents or engine bay while driving.
- Transmission or transfer case failures are sometimes accompanied by loud knocking noises and smoke from under the hood.
- Passenger frontal airbags fail to deploy in a crash, or recall parts for airbag replacement are reported as unavailable for extended periods.
2010 Mazda CX-9 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 18V717000Oct 12, 2018Airbags155,436 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
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 November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.
- 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.
2010 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.
2010 compared with other CX-9 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 CX-9 has the highest complaint index (100) of all 17 model years covered, with 195 complaints, most involving brakes. It is rated Avoid relative to other CX-9 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Mazda CX-9?
- Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 93 of 195 complaints (48%) and 5 crashes, with a median mileage at failure of 83,600 miles.
- Does the 2010 Mazda CX-9 have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists four separate airbag recalls affecting the 2010 CX-9, all marked do-not-drive, involving passenger frontal airbag inflators.
- How many recalls does the 2010 Mazda CX-9 have?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2010 CX-9, covering airbags, suspension ball joints, and a heated seat wiring issue, with 4 of them classified as do-not-drive.
- How does the 2010 CX-9 compare to other CX-9 years?
- The 2010 model has the worst complaint index (100) among all 17 years tracked, higher than 2012 (94), 2011 (88), and 2008 (81), while years like 2020 and 2022 score near 0 and rate Best.