2013 Mazda CX-9 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
62/100
#6 most-complained of 14 CX-9 years
The 2013 Mazda CX-9 has a complaint index of 62 and ranks 6th worst out of 14 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine issues lead complaints (25%), followed by brakes (24%), with 4 recalls including 2 do-not-drive airbag inflator recalls.
- Complaints
- 68
- Recalls
- 4
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16.5 city / 23 hwy
Top 2013 Mazda CX-9 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
What owners report
- Airbag warning systems intermittently deactivate the passenger airbag even when the seat is occupied.
- Brake pedal requires extreme force to engage and is accompanied by a hissing sound.
- Transfer case failures have led to oil leaks and, in at least one case, a fire under the vehicle.
- Sharp edges on exterior chrome trim near the doors have caused cuts to occupants.
- Low beam headlights fail to adequately illuminate the road, especially on mountainous roads.
- Loss of vehicle control has been reported while descending ramps, in one case leading to a crash.
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?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 CX-9 carries a complaint index of 62 and ranks 6th worst among 14 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other CX-9 years.
- What problems does the 2013 Mazda CX-9 have?
- Owners most often reported engine problems (25% of complaints), followed by brakes (24%), suspension/wheels/tires (15%), and airbags (13%). Median mileage at engine failure was 88,950 miles.
- Does the 2013 Mazda CX-9 have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2013 CX-9, including 2 do-not-drive recalls tied to front passenger airbag inflators, plus a suspension ball joint recall and a steering-related recall.
- How does the 2013 CX-9 compare to other years?
- The 2013 CX-9's complaint index of 62 is lower than the 2010-2012 years (92, 85, and 100, all rated Avoid) but higher than 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023, which scored better.
- Was anyone injured in 2013 Mazda CX-9 incidents reported to NHTSA?
- NHTSA data shows 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries linked to 2013 CX-9 complaints, with no reported deaths.