YearToAvoid

2015 Mazda CX-9 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

46/100

#8 most-complained of 14 CX-9 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2015 Mazda CX-9 has 35 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 46, and ranks 8th worst of 14 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other CX-9 years. Engine issues make up 51% of complaints, and there are 2 recalls, including 1 do-not-drive airbag recall.

Complaints
35
Recalls
2
incl. Do Not Drive
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
19
16.5 city / 23 hwy

Top 2015 Mazda CX-9 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine18 (51%)
  2. Other9 (26%)
  3. Brakes3 (9%)
  4. Electrical System3 (9%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain3 (9%)
  6. Airbags2 (6%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers2 (6%)
  8. Fuel System1 (3%)
  9. Seat Belts1 (3%)
  10. Steering1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Driver side mirror vibrates at highway speeds, distorting vision and making it hard to identify objects around the vehicle.
  • Front passenger airbag can fail to deploy in a crash, or the airbag warning light illuminates despite proper seat weight detection.
  • Brake master cylinder leaks and brakes emit a hissing sound with reduced stopping ability, sometimes tied to a brake booster problem.
  • Front brakes grind and judder when repeatedly applied at highway speeds or downhill, sometimes accompanied by steering wheel shake.
  • Transmission makes a clunking sound when shifting from neutral to drive.
  • Driver's seat moves back and forth unexpectedly while driving, even after the seat frame was repaired.
2015 Mazda CX-9 complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2015Oct 2016Dec 2018Dec 2019Oct 2020Apr 2022Apr 2023Aug 2024
44 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2015 to Apr 2025; peak Mar 2016 (3).

2015 Mazda CX-9 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

2015 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.

2015 compared with other CX-9 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013Caution62684 !19
2014Good31543 !19
2015Good46352 !19
2016Caution69105023.5
2017Best1561023.5

All Mazda CX-9 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2015 CX-9 has a complaint index of 46 and ranks 8th worst out of 14 model years, giving it a "Good" verdict compared to other CX-9 years.
What is the biggest problem area for the 2015 Mazda CX-9?
Engine complaints are the largest category, making up 51% of all reported issues, with a median failure mileage of 84,564 miles.
Does the 2015 Mazda CX-9 have any recalls?
Yes, it has 2 recalls: a do-not-drive airbag inflator recall (18V717000) and a steering recall (16V203000) affecting related Mazda models.
How does the 2015 CX-9 compare to other CX-9 years?
Its complaint index of 46 is lower than 2010–2013 and 2016, 2018, and 2021, making it a relatively better year, though not as low as 2017, 2020, 2022, or 2023.

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.