YearToAvoid

2020 Mazda CX-9 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#14 most-complained of 14 CX-9 years

The 2020 Mazda CX-9 has a complaint index of 0 and ranks 14th (best) out of 14 model years, earning a 'Best' verdict. NHTSA lists 19 complaints, 1 recall, and 1 crash with no fires or deaths.

Complaints
19
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23.5
21 city / 27 hwy

Top 2020 Mazda CX-9 problems

NHTSA owner 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%)

What owners report

  • Owners report uncommanded engine acceleration while approaching a stop, requiring firmer braking to control the vehicle.
  • Some vehicles show coolant leaks near the cylinder head or exhaust manifold, leading to engine overheating and limp mode limited to around 30 mph.
  • Excessive oil consumption has been reported, with owners needing to add a quart of oil in under 3,000 miles of driving.
  • The forward emergency braking system has falsely engaged at around 20 mph even with adaptive cruise disengaged.
  • Electrical system faults triggered engine and sensor warning lights on the freeway, causing loss of acceleration until the vehicle was restarted.
  • A fuel cap warning light preceded jerking and vibration at a stop sign around 14,000 miles, per NHTSA data.
2020 Mazda CX-9 complaints: complaints filed per month4Feb 2020Aug 2021Mar 2022May 2023Feb 2025May 2025Feb 2026Jun 2026
26 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2020 to Jun 2026; peak May 2025 (4).

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)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Avoid77128223.5
2019Good3853223.5
2020Best019123.5
2021Caution5439123.5
2022Best810023

All Mazda CX-9 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 CX-9 ranks 14th out of 14 model years with a complaint index of 0, giving it a 'Best' verdict relative to other CX-9 years.
What problems does the 2020 Mazda CX-9 have?
NHTSA lists 19 complaints for the 2020 CX-9, with the Engine as the top problem area at 5 complaints (26% share), followed by Electrical System issues at 4 complaints (21%).
Does the 2020 Mazda CX-9 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall for the 2020 CX-9 (campaign 21V750000) covering second-row 60/40 split bench seats that may slide forward unexpectedly during a crash. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
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.
How does the 2020 CX-9 compare to other years?
The 2020 model has a complaint index of 0 and ranks best among all 14 CX-9 model years tracked, compared to years like 2012 with an index of 100, which is rated 'Avoid'.

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.