YearToAvoid

2010 Mazda CX-9 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 35 engine complaints for the 2010 Mazda CX-9, 18% of all complaints filed for that year. Owners most often report a loud ticking noise in the engine and episodes of unintended acceleration, with a median failure mileage of 70,617. No related recall covers this component.

Engine complaints
35
18% of 195
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
70,617 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe a loud ticking noise coming from the engine, most noticeable when the engine is cold and quieter once warm.
  • Some owners report the vehicle suddenly accelerating on its own at low or highway speeds without the accelerator pedal being pressed, sometimes overriding braking.
  • Dealers reportedly could not diagnose or replicate the acceleration issue in several cases, and Mazda staff told one owner the ticking noise was a normal engine characteristic.
  • One owner reports being told sludge was found on the dipstick and that Mazda recommended engine replacement, then denied extended warranty coverage.
  • A few complaints describe the acceleration problem combined with brakes that could slow but not fully stop the vehicle.

When 2010 Mazda CX-9 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 21, 2010, latest Oct 29, 2024.

2010 Mazda CX-9 engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Sep 2010Mar 2012Apr 2014Oct 2017Jan 2019May 2020Oct 2021Jun 2023
35 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2010 to Oct 2024; peak Mar 2014 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2010 Mazda CX-9

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by CX-9 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201035 (18%)
  2. 201118 (11%)
  3. 201232 (14%)
  4. 201317 (25%)
  5. 201420 (37%)
  6. 201518 (51%)
  7. 201670 (67%)
  8. 201743 (70%)
  9. 201878 (61%)
  10. 201923 (43%)
  11. 20205 (26%)
  12. 202121 (54%)
  13. 20220 (0%)
  14. 20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2010 Mazda CX-9?
NHTSA lists 35 engine complaints for the 2010 CX-9, which is 18% of the 195 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2010 Mazda CX-9 engine?
No. The data shows no related recalls for the engine on the 2010 Mazda CX-9.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2010 CX-9?
The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2010 CX-9 is 70,617 miles.
What is the most common engine complaint on the 2010 Mazda CX-9?
Owners most frequently describe a loud ticking noise in the engine, especially when cold, along with reports of unintended acceleration.
Did the 2010 CX-9 engine issues cause any crashes or injuries?
According to NHTSA data for this engine complaint set, there are 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries recorded.

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.