YearToAvoid

2020 Mazda CX-9 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2020 Mazda CX-9 has a complaint index of 6, the second-best among 17 model years, and earns a Best verdict. It has 19 complaints, 1 recall, and no do-not-drive campaigns.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
6/100
#16 of 17 CX-9 years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
19
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2022
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23.5
21 city / 27 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2020 Mazda CX-9 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine5 (26%)
  2. Electrical System4 (21%)
  3. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (16%)
  4. Fuel System3 (16%)
  5. Other3 (16%)
  6. Brakes2 (11%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain2 (11%)
  8. Airbags1 (5%)
  9. Structure & Body1 (5%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)

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

What owners report

  • Engine can experience uncommanded acceleration while the driver's foot is off the pedal, most reported around 2,200 miles.
  • Some engines develop coolant leaks near the exhaust manifold that lead to overheating and limp mode limiting speed to about 30 mph.
  • Owners report excessive oil consumption, needing to add a quart of oil in under 3,000 miles of driving.
  • The adaptive cruise and forward collision system can falsely trigger emergency braking behind a turning vehicle at low speed.
  • Electrical warnings for the smart brake and forward radar systems appear intermittently and disable acceleration until the vehicle is pulled over and restarted.
  • A fuel cap warning light and jerking or vibrating at stops were reported around 14,000 miles, tied to a transmission-related fuel system fault.
2020 Mazda CX-9 complaints: complaints filed per month3Feb 2020Aug 2021Mar 2022May 2023Feb 2025May 2025Feb 2026Jun 2026
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2020 to Jun 2026; peak Jun 2026 (3).

2020 Mazda CX-9 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V750000Sep 27, 2021Structure & Body8,648 vehicles

    Seats:mid/rear assembly

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CX-9 vehicles equipped with 60/40 split bench second-row seats. The left-side second-row seat may unexpectedly slide forward during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

    Risk: A seat that slides forward during a crash can transfer excessive force onto a belted occupant, increasing their risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the internal parts of the affected second-row seats, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5221I.

2020 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.

2020 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
2018Avoid75128223.5
2019Good3853223.5
2020Best619123.5
2021Caution5639123.5
2022Best010023

All Mazda CX-9 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
Compared to other CX-9 model years, 2020 ranks well. It has a complaint index of 6, ranking 16th out of 17 years from worst to best, and carries a Best verdict.
What problems does the 2020 Mazda CX-9 have?
NHTSA complaints point to the engine as the top problem area, with 5 complaints (26% of the total), including uncommanded acceleration, coolant leaks, and oil consumption. Electrical system issues (4 complaints) and collision-avoidance camera false triggers (3 complaints) were also reported.
Does the 2020 Mazda CX-9 have a recall?
Yes, one recall (campaign 21V750000) covers second-row 60/40 split bench seats that may slide forward unexpectedly in a crash. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2020 CX-9 compare to other years?
The 2020 CX-9 has a complaint index of 6, better than most other years including 2010 (100), 2012 (94), and 2011 (88), which carry Avoid verdicts. Only 2022 (0) and 2017 (19) among listed years come close to or beat it.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Mazda CX-9?
EPA rates the 2020 CX-9 at 23.5 mpg combined (21 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,750.

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.