2021 Mazda CX-9 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
54/100
#7 most-complained of 14 CX-9 years
The 2021 Mazda CX-9 has 39 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 54, ranking 7th worst of 14 model years with a "Caution" verdict. Engine problems make up 54% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 51,093 miles, plus 1 recall.
- Complaints
- 39
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23.5
- 21 city / 27 hwy
Top 2021 Mazda CX-9 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine21 (54%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (15%)
- Other6 (15%)
- Brakes4 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (8%)
- Airbags2 (5%)
- Electrical System1 (3%)
- Steering1 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (3%)
What owners report
- Engine reportedly consumes oil at a noticeable rate, with some owners reporting warning lights appearing roughly every 3,500 to 4,000 miles.
- Owners describe the engine dropping about a quart of oil between checks, sometimes confirmed low by a dealership inspection.
- Some owners report the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated forward on its own while parked or backing up, leading to collisions.
- Brakes reportedly failed to hold or released suddenly during stops, contributing to crashes in more than one case.
- Owners report the driver-side airbag failed to deploy during frontal collisions.
- Backup camera distance readings were described as inaccurate, contributing to a collision with a garage door.
2021 Mazda CX-9 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- 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.
2021 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.
2021 compared with other CX-9 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 39 complaints for the 2021 CX-9, giving it a Complaint Index of 54 and a "Caution" verdict, ranking 7th worst of 14 model years for this model.
- What is the top problem area for the 2021 Mazda CX-9?
- Engine complaints make up 54% of all reports (21 of 39 complaints), with a median mileage at failure of 51,093 miles.
- Does the 2021 Mazda CX-9 have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 21V750000) covers vehicles with 60/40 split bench second-row seats that may slide forward during a crash.
- How does the 2021 CX-9 compare to other years?
- The 2021 model's Complaint Index of 54 is higher than 2020 (0), 2022 (8), and 2023 (23), but lower than 2010 through 2012 and 2018, which are rated "Avoid."