YearToAvoid

2015 Mazda CX-9 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 18 engine complaints for the 2015 Mazda CX-9, 51% of all 35 complaints filed for this year. Most describe internal water pump failure letting coolant mix with engine oil, with median mileage at failure of 84,564 miles. No related recall is listed.

Engine complaints
18
51% of 35
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
84,564 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Internal water pump fails and leaks coolant into the engine oil, diluting lubrication and leading to engine failure.
  • Check engine light comes on followed by stalling or sudden loss of power, sometimes on the highway.
  • Owners report a rattling, knocking, or humming noise under the hood shortly before the engine loses power.
  • Temperature gauge spikes rapidly, sometimes with no warning light, forcing drivers to stop and let the engine cool.
  • Vehicle stalls or shuts off unexpectedly in traffic or while merging onto a highway.
  • Some owners describe a burnt smell or smoke from the engine along with illuminated oil and battery warning lights.

When 2015 Mazda CX-9 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 8, 2016, latest Apr 3, 2025.

2015 Mazda CX-9 engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2016Jan 2020Mar 2021Oct 2021Jan 2023Apr 2023Feb 2024Apr 2025
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2016 to Apr 2025; peak Apr 2022 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2015 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

What is the most common engine problem on the 2015 Mazda CX-9?
Owners most often report internal water pump failure, which lets coolant leak into the engine oil and can lead to engine failure. NHTSA lists 18 engine-related complaints for this model year.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Mazda CX-9 water pump?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this issue on the 2015 CX-9.
At what mileage do these engine problems usually happen?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for the 2015 CX-9 engine complaints is 84,564 miles.
How many complaints has NHTSA received about the 2015 CX-9 engine?
NHTSA lists 18 engine complaints for the 2015 CX-9, making up 51% of the 35 total complaints filed for that model year.
Did the engine issue cause any crashes or fires?
NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 0 fires reported among these engine complaints.

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.