YearToAvoid

2015 Mazda CX-9 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2015 Mazda CX-9 has a Caution verdict, ranked 12th of 17 model years, with 35 complaints and a complaint index of 31. The verdict is capped by a Do Not Drive airbag recall (18V717000), even though its complaint index is relatively low.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
31/100
#12 of 17 CX-9 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
35
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
1 Do Not Drive
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
5
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2017
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
19
16.5 city / 23 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Top 2015 Mazda CX-9 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Front passenger airbags may fail to deploy or fail to detect an occupant properly, triggering warning lights.
  • The driver-side exterior mirror can vibrate or shake at highway speeds, distorting the driver's view.
  • Seat belts have made unusual noises and failed to register correctly shortly after purchase.
  • Brakes have shown a fluid leak at the master cylinder along with shimmy or grinding when slowing from higher speeds, described by owners as judder.
  • The brake booster has been reported to hiss and reduce stopping power, with owners saying dealers declined to cover it under warranty.
  • The transmission has occasionally made a clunking sound when shifting from neutral to drive.
2015 Mazda CX-9 complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2015Oct 2016Dec 2018Dec 2019Oct 2020Apr 2022Apr 2023Aug 2024
35 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2015 to Apr 2025; peak Apr 2022 (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)0255075100’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013Caution44684 !19
2014Caution25543 !19
2015Caution31352 !19
2016Caution63105023.5
2017Best1961023.5

All Mazda CX-9 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Mazda CX-9 reliable based on NHTSA data?
It ranks 12th out of 17 CX-9 model years with a complaint index of 31 and 35 complaints. Its verdict is Caution, driven mainly by a Do Not Drive recall rather than a high complaint volume.
What is the top problem area for the 2015 CX-9?
Engine complaints make up 51% of reports, 18 of 35 total, with a median failure mileage of 84,564 miles.
Does the 2015 Mazda CX-9 have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls: a Do Not Drive airbag inflator recall (18V717000) and a steering recall (16V203000).
How does the 2015 CX-9 compare to other years?
It is safer than heavily flagged years like 2010 and 2012 (Avoid, complaint indexes of 100 and 94) but worse than 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023, which rank Best or Good.

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.