YearToAvoid

2017 Mazda CX-9 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

15/100

#12 most-complained of 14 CX-9 years

The 2017 Mazda CX-9 ranks 12th out of 14 model years, with a complaint index of 15 and no recalls, making it one of the better CX-9 years. Engine issues make up 70% of its 61 complaints, but the year earns a "Best" verdict relative to other CX-9 model years.

Complaints
61
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
23.5
21 city / 27 hwy

Top 2017 Mazda CX-9 problems

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

  1. Engine43 (70%)
  2. Other9 (15%)
  3. Fuel System6 (10%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (8%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain4 (7%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (5%)
  7. Electrical System2 (3%)
  8. Steering2 (3%)
  9. Structure & Body1 (2%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report knocking or clunking noises from the front suspension when hitting bumps or coming to a stop.
  • Some describe cylinder head cracking, leading to coolant leaks and overheating that caused engine failure.
  • Owners report a coolant leak around the turbo, with dealers advising that the engine needed replacement due to turbo weight warping it.
  • One owner reported the sunroof glass fractured on its own while driving at highway speed with no impact.
  • Owners describe the automatic emergency braking system triggering unexpected panic braking at low speeds, such as pulling into a garage.
  • Body paint and wheel coating were reported chipping and peeling, with seat heaters described as excessively hot.
2017 Mazda CX-9 complaints: complaints filed per month6Oct 2018Mar 2021Jun 2022Jan 2023Aug 2023May 2024Dec 2024Dec 2025
76 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2018 to Jun 2026; peak Jul 2024 (6).

2017 Mazda CX-9 recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2017 Mazda CX-9 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
23.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,750
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.

2017 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
2015Good46352 !19
2016Caution69105023.5
2017Best1561023.5
2018Avoid77128223.5
2019Good3853223.5

All Mazda CX-9 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
Relative to other CX-9 model years, the 2017 is one of the strongest, ranking 12th out of 14 years with a complaint index of 15 and a "Best" verdict. It has 61 NHTSA complaints and zero recalls.
What problems does the 2017 Mazda CX-9 have?
Engine problems dominate, making up 70% of complaints (43 of 61), including reports of cracked cylinder heads, coolant leaks, and turbo-related overheating. Suspension knocking noises and unexpected automatic braking are also reported.
Does the 2017 Mazda CX-9 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2017 Mazda CX-9.
What is the median mileage for engine failures in the 2017 CX-9?
The data does not include a median mileage figure specifically for the Engine problem area; the overall median mileage at failure across all complaints for this year is 33,500 miles.
How does the 2017 CX-9 compare to the 2018 CX-9?
The 2017 CX-9 has a complaint index of 15 and a "Best" verdict, while the 2018 CX-9 has a much higher complaint index of 77 and an "Avoid" verdict, making 2017 the stronger choice between the two.

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.