2013 Mazda CX-9 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Mazda CX-9 has a Complaint Index of 44 and ranks 10th worst of 17 model years, earning a Caution verdict. That verdict is capped because two of its four recalls are Do Not Drive airbag inflator recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 44/100
- #10 of 17 CX-9 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 68
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 2 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16.5 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2013 Mazda CX-9 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine17 (25%)
- Brakes16 (24%)
- Other10 (15%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (15%)
- Airbags9 (13%)
- Structure & Body5 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (7%)
- Electrical System2 (3%)
- Seat Belts2 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Passenger side airbag warning light illuminates or the system deactivates even with an adult passenger seated.
- Front passenger airbag inflator is subject to a Do Not Drive recall for replacement.
- Transfer case failures reported, including one case where fluid leaked from a pinion seal and another where the transfer case caught fire.
- Brake pedal becomes hard to depress or requires extreme force, with a hissing sound noted during braking, in one case leading to a crash.
- Low beam headlights fail to illuminate the road adequately, especially on mountainous roads.
- A sharp edge on structural trim above the driver's door caused a cut when exiting the vehicle.
2013 Mazda CX-9 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 16V203000Apr 11, 2016Steering578 vehicles
Steering
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.
Risk: If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If the bolts are loose, they will be replaced and then correctly tightened, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9316D.
2013 Mazda CX-9 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 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.
2013 compared with other CX-9 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 68 complaints and a Complaint Index of 44 for the 2013 CX-9, ranking it 10th worst among 17 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, worsened by two Do Not Drive airbag recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mazda CX-9?
- Engine complaints lead at 25% of reports with a median failure mileage of 88,950 miles, followed by brakes at 24% (median 58,500 miles) and suspension issues at 15% (median 50,500 miles).
- Does the 2013 Mazda CX-9 have a Do Not Drive recall?
- Yes. Two of its four recalls, campaigns 18V717000 and 18V018000, are Do Not Drive recalls covering the front passenger airbag inflator, which Mazda replaces free of charge.
- How does the 2013 CX-9 compare to other years?
- With a Complaint Index of 44, the 2013 model sits in the middle of the pack; years like 2010 (index 100) and 2012 (index 94) rank worse, while 2020 and 2022 rank as Best years with indexes of 6 and 0.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Mazda CX-9?
- EPA rates the 2013 CX-9 at 19 mpg combined (16.5 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400.