2013 Mazda CX-9

Do not drive

Owners filed 68 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

44 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles; the median is 57,022 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine16
000
Service Brakes15
100
Suspension9
000
Air Bags8
101
Unknown or Other5
000
Power Train5
010
Structure › Body3
101
Seat Belts2
000
Visibility/Wiper1
000
Seats1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module18V717000Do not drive
Filed Oct 12, 2018155,436 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module18V018000Do not drive
Filed Jan 9, 201870,227 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2013 Mazda6 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2010 Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 Mazda6, CX-7, and CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

Steering16V203000
Filed Apr 11, 2016578 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.

Risk. If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If the bolts are loose, they will be replaced and then correctly tightened, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9316D.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint15V451000
Filed Jul 20, 2015193,484 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 CX-9 vehicles manufactured October 24, 2006, to December 28, 2013. The affected vehicles have front suspension ball joints that may corrode from water leaking into the fitting.

Risk. Over time, the ball joint corrosion may result in the front lower control arm separating from the ball joint, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both the left and right lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. The recall will begin with model year 2007-2009 vehicles registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The second phase will be for model year 2010-2014 vehicles in the same states. Finally, all remaining vehicles will be remedied. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 8515G.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Apr 14, 2026SC

Engine throwing a code after dying at intersection. Found that it isa known issue for this vehicle and repair costs are astronomical. Diagnostic Summary: 2013 Mazda CX-9 (3.7L V6)Issue: Faulty Crankshaft/Camshaft Correlation (Code P0016)Current Mileage: ~160,000 miles Reported Symptoms: Extended cranking (long start), rattle upon startup, and rattle under light acceleration. The 2013 Mazda CX-9 is KNOWN for a serious issue where the internal water pump fails, allowing coolant to leak into the oil, which causes timing chain failure and potential engine destruction. I wish I knew this years ago...

Suspension
Filed Mar 5, 2026188,000 milesGA

The contact owns a 2013 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the lower control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact had not received documentation of the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was repaired under an undisclosed recall. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Sep 25, 2025FL

I was pulling into a parking spot in Brooksville, Florida. It was the last parking spot on the block. As I pulled in, I went to hit my brake so that I could back up and the car did not stop. My foot was pressed all the way down to the floor and it kept going, and I hit the car parked in front of me. At that point, a warning came up on my odometer stating “Brake Malfunction “. . Thank goodness no one was hurt. I called the police. When the officer arrived, I explained what happened. He did see the odometer warning. He advised me to take a picture of it which I did. My car was towed to Crash Champions in Wesley Chapel. I explained to them what happened. They repaired my car and told me that They couldn’t find anything wrong with the brakes and everything was calibrated properly. I then asked Mazda to please check the brake system as I was not comfortable driving in this car anymore. I had just gotten off the Suncoast Parkway and thank goodness it didn’t happen on the parkway or I and my sister may have been killed. Mazda checked out the car and told me the same thing “ everything calibrates properly”. They were unable to help me exchange cars without a large sum of money so I had to take it back. I will not drive anywhere except locally and keep a good distance between me and the person in front of me. Again, last week, I was driving on a residential street in Lutz FL there was no cars in front of me and no cars behind me and my odometer lit up “BRAKE” which is what happens whe

Air Bags
Filed Aug 27, 2024TX

Niece was driving home from college on July 24, 2024 around 7:30 PM. She heard a pop when she was 1 mile away from the house. Side airbags exploded on passenger and driver side for no reason. She called me. We drove the car home since it was less than 1 mile away. No injuries. A couple of days later took to body shop to assess damage.

Engine
Filed Mar 9, 2023NE

The engine in my Mazda blew with no warning. I got in my car after warming it up and noticed my check engine light on, which wasn’t unusual because it has came on before with a loose gas gap warning, so I put it in gear and drove less than 50 ft before it started making noises. I immediately turned around and came straight home and turned the car off. It started up and all but wouldn’t hold power. I got multiple opinions and no one could tell me why it my engine gave out with no warning. It was current with oil changes and all. I did purchase it used from Beardmore and didn’t have it for a full 2years.

Engine
Filed Jan 16, 2023NM

Water pump is cracked and leaking through weep hole, to no fault of the driver. The vehicle has over 214k miles on it and the mechanic informed us that this is common in this vehicle of this age with that many miles on it. Luckily we caught it before the leaky coolant mixed in with the engine oil and caused the engine to seize up, which after doing my research I'm realizing is a common issue with this make and model of vehicle. No mechanic in our town will fix it since the entire engine has to be taken out in order to get to the water pump. It's just too risky apparently. The only reason I'm reporting is because after doing my research I've found that water pumps breaking is a common issue with 2013 Mazda CX-9s.

Engine
Filed Jul 14, 2022NC

Car began shuddering/shaking and check engine light went on. Booked appointment at Mazda dealer. Upon inspection they found a significant amount of coolant had leaked into engine and timing was jumping. Was advised it should not be driven as the engine could freeze at any moment without warning. The technician provided a video inspection of car showing large amount of coolant inside car's engine. An oil change had been performed less then 2 months earlier (5/19/2022) and no issues were noted.

Engine
Filed May 29, 2022NC

I was sitting in the car rider line and my engine started making this loud noise. I looked down at the temperature gage and it started over heating. I went to go pull it over and I noticed that the check engine light came on that's when I was turning in the parking place the engine stalled and i turned the car off. I took it to a local shop and he told me that I need a new engine, because apparently whoever made the car decided it was a grand idea to put the water pump in with the engine. A engine cost about $4,000. Because the water pump is in with the engine it costs about the same as replacing the engine. Thank god I was driving down the main road whenever it happened because me and my daughter could have gotten hurt. Insurance won't pay for it. I don't know how I am going to pay for it.

Engine
Filed Feb 10, 2022PA

Headed out to the store and engine was running rough and CEL was on. Thought it was bad gas because I just put a few dollars in. Added gas treatment and topped off tank and continued to store. Stopped at Advanced Auto near the grocery store so they could pull the code. It was a P0016 - cam position sensor. If that was bad it would explain rough idle. Leaving to come home engine was a bit rougher and realized there was no heat blowing. Only 4 miles from home so kept driving figuring thermostat was broke but was concerned 2 things bad at once. About a mile up the street complete loss of engine power, power everything was on. Had no power steering or brakes. Managed to coast into a parking lot. Shut off engine, and waited. Restarted engine, notice temp gauge starting to go higher - pulled back onto street but again lost power steering and brakes. Managed to pull into parking log of auto repair shop and left vehicle there. Contacted Mazda next day - they agreed it was mostly the water pump failure and could possible fix it. Arranged for tow later in the week. Mazda inspected and said they could not repair. Needs new engine $5000-6000.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 23, 2021RI

Brakes failed while driving. Mazda dealer did not fix this known defect under recall SSP93

Power Train
Filed Sep 12, 2021PA

Trans seems to slip going in and out of 4th gear. Just bought this car 3 days ago and it has been a consistent problem that didn't start until an hour after the purchase once it warmed up. Looks like it's the transfer case, this suv only has 106k on it ! This is absolutely ridiculous, Mazda needs to offer a recall for this issue so those who have the issue don't have to fork out MORE money for an issue that Mazda is well aware of with their vehicles

Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Filed Jul 4, 2021TN

I turned in to a parking lot, as I went over a speed bump, the side curtain air bags randomly deployed. Luckily, I was going very slow and was not injured. Had I been on the road I woudl not have been able to see and it could have been very dangerous. The car is at the Mazda service center and they have yet to let us know what is going to happen, if it can be repaired or what they plan to do.

Engine
Filed Jul 1, 2021OK

The water pump went out with no notice or warning, flushed all the coolant/water into the engine and failed. Over a $2K repair for a known engine defect with active lawsuits out. A Mazda water pump lawsuit alleges 2007-2016 Mazda CX-9 and 2009-2013 Mazda6 vehicles are equipped with pumps that suddenly fail and cause catastrophic engine failures. The proposed class action lawsuit alleges the vehicles lose engine power and fail to accelerate and maintain speed. The vehicles also allegedly can't readily control steering and cannot fully engage the brakes. The plaintiffs claim the vehicles are at risk of serious crashes because Mazda has failed to disclose the alleged water pump defects. Please investigate for a recall asap!

Engine
Filed Apr 22, 2021CA

WATER PUMP FAILED AND IMPACTED MY ENGINE AS WELL. I JUST BROUGHT MY CAR IN AS WELL 10/20/2020 NO MENTION OF THIS ISSUE. BEGINNING IN 2007 AND CONTINUING THROUGH THE 2016 MODEL YEAR, MAZDA HAS INCORPORATED ITS MZI CYCLONE ENGINE (THE 'CYCLONE ENGINE') INTO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES, WHICH INCLUDE THE CX-9 FOR MODEL YEARS 2007 THROUGH 2016 AND THE MAZDA 6 FOR MODEL YEARS 2009 THROUGH 2013. THE CYCLONE ENGINE CONTAINS AN INTERNAL CHAIN-DRIVEN WATER PUMP, WHICH MEANS THE TIMING CHAIN IS CONNECTED TO THE WATER PUMP AND PROVIDES THE POWER THE WATER PUMP NEEDS TO CIRCULATE COOLANT THROUGH THE ENGINE WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THE CHAIN-DRIVEN WATER PUMP IS LOCATED INTERNAL TO THE CYCLONE ENGINE, BEHIND NUMEROUS ENGINE COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE TIMING CHAIN COVER. UNBEKNOWNST TO PURCHASERS AND LESSEES OF THESE VEHICLES, THE CYCLONE ENGINE CONTAINS A DEFECT IN DESIGN, MANUFACTURING, MATERIALS AND/OR WORKMANSHIP THAT CAUSES THE WATER PUMP TO SUDDENLY AND PREMATURELY FAIL WELL-BEFORE THE END OF THE USEFUL LIFE OF THE ENGINE, WHICH LEADS TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE OR A COSTLY REPLACEMENT DUE TO THE WATER PUMP'S INACCESSIBLE PLACEMENT IN THE ENGINE. WHEN THE WATER PUMP PREMATURELY FAILS WITHOUT WARNING, COOLANT IS ABLE TO LEAK FROM THE WATER PUMP INTO THE OIL PAN AND/OR OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS, ALLOWING IT TO MIX WITH THE ENGINE'S OIL. THE MIXTURE OF ENGINE OIL AND COOLANT CIRCULATES THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE, LEADING TO DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE. DESPITE HAVING KNOWLEDGE OF THIS

Engine
Filed Mar 17, 202188,000 milesMA

THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BREAKING SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD GONE ON A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR HAD THIS INCIDENT. WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE ON THE BRAKE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE THEY TOLD ME A 'WATER LINE HAD BROKE RESULTING IN THE ENGINE BECOMING SUDDENLY FILLED WITH COOLANT'.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 28, 2021152,000 milesAZ

I WAS DRIVING TO GET A CUP OF COFFEE, I WAS PULLING OUT AND DRIVING THROUGH THE COMPLEX WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FROM NOWHERE, THE AIRBAGS WERE THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. AT THE TIME OF THE DEPLOYMENT T MY CAR WAS STATIONARY, I WAS SITTING WITH MY LEFT BLINKER ON READY TO TURN.

Engine
Filed Dec 17, 202097,000 milesNJ

THE RADIATOR FAILED INTERNALLY WITH NO WARNING, NO LEAKS NO ENGINE LIGHT NOTHING, MIXING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE OIL AND DESTROYING THE ENGINE. MY MACHINE INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NO WAY OF ME KNOWING THIS WAS HAPPENING AND ITS FAULTY THE WAY THEY MAKE THE RADIATOR IT CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN. NOW MY RADIATOR IS BAD AND MY ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY A NOISE STARTED THEN POWER WENT AND PULLED OVER AND WOULDN'T START AGAIN. NO WARNING NOTHING. NO LEAKS NO ENGINE LIGHT PRIOR.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 16, 202066,000 milesIL

THE BRAKE BECAME VERY STIFF AND MADE A HISSING SOUND WHEN APPLIED WHILE DRIVING. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE I BROUGHT THE CAR AND THEY BOTH CONFIRMED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THAT THE HISSING SOUND WAS LEAKAGE.

Power Train
Filed Jul 12, 2020102,000 milesPA

I BOUGHT MY CX-9 NEW IN 2013, CAR NOW HAS 102,000 MILES. CAR STARTED TO SHUTTER WHEN GETTING OFF THE EXIT FROM A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED WITH THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT. PICTURE INDICATES HEAVY SPLINE WEAR AND CORROSION. TRANSMISSION SPLINE ALSO HAS CORROSION AND WEAR. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THERE'S NO MAINTENANCE REQUIRED BY MAZDA FOR THE PTU OR THE TRANSMISSION. MAZDA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON BOTH THE PTU AND THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MAZDA AND DISCUSSED ON MANY INTERNET FORUMS.

Engine
Filed Jun 18, 202057,022 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATOR HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SANDY SANSING MAZDA LOCATED AT 6105 PENSACOLA BLVD, PENSACOLA, FL 32505, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,022. *BF THE CONSUEMNR STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.*AS

20 of 68 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2012
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202312000Routine
202210000Routine
202139100Routine
202019100Routine
201953200Routine
2018128210Routine
201761000Routine
2016104010Routine
201535200Do not drive
201454310Do not drive
2013 — this page68410Do not drive
2012221400Do not drive
2011170430Do not drive
2010195650Do not drive
200959700Do not drive
2008172600Do not drive
200786610Do not drive

Compare every CX-9 year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 12, 2018. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.