YearToAvoid

2023 Mazda CX-9 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

23/100

#11 most-complained of 14 CX-9 years

The 2023 Mazda CX-9 has a complaint index of 23, the second-lowest among 14 model years, and ranks 11th worst (meaning near the best). With 12 complaints, 0 recalls, and no fires, it's rated Best relative to other CX-9 years.

Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23
20 city / 26 hwy

Top 2023 Mazda CX-9 problems

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

  1. Other6 (50%)
  2. Brakes2 (17%)
  3. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (17%)
  4. Steering2 (17%)
  5. Airbags1 (8%)
  6. Electrical System1 (8%)
  7. Structure & Body1 (8%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (8%)

What owners report

  • Brakes can require pumping to engage, with the pedal sinking close to the floor before stopping the vehicle.
  • Some owners report that pressing brake and gas together causes the system to cut throttle to idle, mistaking it for driver confusion.
  • One driver described the steering wheel seizing and the brake pedal stiffening at 30 MPH, resulting in a crash into a ditch and a tree without airbag deployment.
  • A factory-installed tire reportedly lost its tread suddenly at highway speed after the tire pressure warning activated.
  • One report describes a sudden, complete loss of steering, braking, and acceleration response several minutes before a crash.
2023 Mazda CX-9 complaints: complaints filed per month3Feb 2023Aug 2023Jan 2024Jun 2025Nov 2025Jun 2026
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2023 to Jun 2026; peak May 2025 (3).

2023 Mazda CX-9 recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2023 Mazda CX-9 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
23 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,800
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.

2023 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
2021Caution5439123.5
2022Best810023
2023Best2312023

All Mazda CX-9 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
Relative to other CX-9 model years, the 2023 is rated Best, with a complaint index of 23 and only 12 complaints logged with NHTSA, plus zero recalls.
What is the top problem area for the 2023 Mazda CX-9?
Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 17% of complaints, tied with Collision Avoidance & Cameras and Steering, each also at 17%.
Are there any recalls for the 2023 Mazda CX-9?
NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2023 Mazda CX-9, including zero do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2023 CX-9 compare to other years?
The 2023 CX-9 ranks 11th worst out of 14 model years, meaning it performs better than most other years, similar to the 2022 (complaint index 8) and 2020 (complaint index 0) model years, which are also rated Best.
What mileage do 2023 CX-9 problems tend to show up at?
The only median mileage reported is 12,100 miles, tied to a steering complaint that also involved brake stiffening.

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.