The best CX-9 years to buy are 2020 and 2022. Avoid the 2012 and 2016: brake booster failures on the old model and cylinder head coolant leaks on the new one give them the most complaints.
Best years: 20202022 Years to avoid: 20122016
Every CX-9 year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known CX-9 problems
Year by year
| Year | Complaints | Per 100k sold | Recalls | Top issue | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 13 | - | 0 | Other | Too new to judge |
| 2022 | 11 | 32 | 0 | Electrical | Good buy |
| 2021 | 40 | 126 | 1 | Engine | Good year |
| 2020 | 19 | 69 | 1 | Engine | Good buy |
| 2019 | 53 | 197 | 2 | Engine | Good year |
| 2018 | 128 | 453 | 2 | Engine | Average |
| 2017 | 61 | 236 | 0 | Engine | Average |
| 2016 | 99 | 635 | 0 | Engine | Skip this year |
| 2015 | 35 | 194 | 2 | Engine | Good year |
| 2014 | 54 | 292 | 3 | Engine | Average |
| 2013 | 68 | 276 | 4 | Engine | Average |
| 2012 | 221 | 904 | 4 | Brakes | Skip this year |
About the CX-9
The CX-9 is Mazda's three-row SUV. The 2007-2015 first generation is known for brake booster failures (with a hissing brake pedal) and water pump leaks on the V6. The 2016 redesign with a turbo four-cylinder had cylinder head coolant leaks in its first year. Later years have low complaint rates.
- 2007-2015: First generation, V6. Brake booster and water pump faults.
- 2016-2023: Second generation, turbo four. Cylinder head coolant leaks on 2016.
CX-9 warranty extensions and special coverage
Carmakers sometimes extend the warranty on a part that fails too often, or pay for a fix outside a recall. These notices come from the dealer bulletins Mazda files with NHTSA. 1,164 CX-9 bulletins are on file in total.
SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM - SSPD5 - WARRANTY EXTENSION - MULTI-MODEL - VALVE STEM SEALS CLASS ACTION In conjunction with a Class Action Settlement, Mazda Motor Corporation has decided to conduct an extension of the Engine powertr...
Valve Stem Seals Class Action Settlement Program for Excessive Oil Consumption and Oil Consumption Powertrain Warranty Extension Special Service Program SSPD5.
MULTI-MODEL - Mazda MOBILE START CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM.
CSP11 - COOLANT LEAKS AT CYLINDER HEAD WARRANTY EXTENSION For certain 2019-2020MY CX-5, 2016-2020MY CX-9, 2018-2020MY Mazda6 that are equipped with SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine, the warranty coverage for specific repair of the coolan...
Dear Mazda Owner: You are receiving this notice because Mazdas records indicate that your 2019-2020 CX-5, 2016-2020 CX-9, or 2018-2020 Mazda6 vehicle was equipped with a SKYACTIV-G 2.5T (Turbocharged) engine (Covered Vehicle).
CSP13 - CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM - Mazda CONNECT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION As a result of a Mazda Connect Infotainment Class Action settlement, Mazda Motor Corporation has decided to implement a Customer Se...
Ask a dealer to check a specific car by VIN. Extensions usually have a time or mileage limit.
Government investigations into the CX-9
NHTSA opens an investigation when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Some end in a recall and some close without one.
Preliminary evaluation PE19006 · 2012, 2013 · opened May 2019, closed Jan 2021
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE19-006) on May 2, 2019 to investigate two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and Early Warning Reporting data related to allegations of inadvertent deployment (IAD) of side curtain airbags in Model Year (MY) 2010 through 2013 Mazda CX-9...
Preliminary evaluation PE15022 · 2012–2014 · opened Jun 2015, closed Aug 2015 · led to recall 15V451000
In an July 7,2015 letter to NHTSA, Mazda identified a safety defect that could result in lower ball joint separation in approximately 193,484 model year (MY) 2007 through 2014 Mazda CX-9 vehicles (NHTSA Recall No.
CX-9 vs rivals
Questions
What is the best year for the Mazda CX-9?
2020 and 2022. The best CX-9 years to buy are 2020 and 2022. Avoid the 2012 and 2016: brake booster failures on the old model and cylinder head coolant leaks on the new one give them the most complaints.
Which Mazda CX-9 years should I avoid?
2012, 2016. These drew far more owner complaints per car sold than the Mazda CX-9 average.
What is the brake booster problem on the Mazda CX-9?
On 2010-2015 CX-9s the brake booster can fail, causing a hissing noise and a hard pedal. Mazda recalled some vehicles. A booster costs about $600 to $1,000.
Based on 802 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2012 to 2023, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.