2010 Mazda CX-9 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
92/100
#2 most-complained of 14 CX-9 years
The 2010 Mazda CX-9 ranks 2nd worst of 14 model years, with a complaint index of 92 and 195 NHTSA complaints, mostly brake failures. It carries 6 recalls, 4 of them do-not-drive airbag recalls, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other CX-9 years.
- Complaints
- 195
- Recalls
- 6
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15.5 city / 21.5 hwy
Top 2010 Mazda CX-9 problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly fail suddenly or require hard pedal pressure to stop the vehicle, sometimes leading to low-speed collisions.
- Owners describe brake shuddering under light pressure, especially in wet or snowy conditions, before the brakes give out.
- Multiple owners report a burning odor and loud knocking from under the hood traced to a failed or leaking transfer case in the transmission.
- Some transmission failures reportedly progressed to engine seizure or smoke coming from the engine bay.
- Owners report the passenger frontal airbag failing to deploy in a crash, tied to the inflator recall campaigns.
- Seat belt or recall-related complaints describe long waits for airbag inflator replacement parts to become available.
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?
- NHTSA data shows the 2010 CX-9 has a complaint index of 92, the 2nd worst of 14 model years, driven mainly by brake complaints (48% of all reports). It's rated Avoid relative to other CX-9 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Mazda CX-9?
- Brakes are the top issue, accounting for 93 of 195 complaints (48%), with a median failure mileage of 83,600 miles, including reports of brake failure causing crashes.
- Does the 2010 Mazda CX-9 have a recall?
- Yes, it has 6 recalls, 4 of which are do-not-drive recalls covering passenger frontal airbag inflators, plus a suspension ball joint recall and a heated seat recall.
- How does the 2010 CX-9 compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 92, the 2010 CX-9 is worse than most other years; only the 2012 model (index 100) ranks worse, while years like 2017, 2020, 2022, and 2023 rank as Best.