Reliable Auto DB

2021 Mazda CX-9 reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2021 Mazda CX-9 holds 39 complaints after 6 years, a rate of 7 per year. That is more complaints per year than most CX-9 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Middle or rear assembly.

2012 Mazda CX-9
Photo by Ethan Llamas, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC0
Complaints

39

Per year

7

Recalls

1

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (20 of 39), then Forward collision avoidance (4) and Powertrain (4). Those filings include 7 that report a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 CX-9 has 19 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2022 has 10 complaints, 1 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 Mazda CX-9. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall seats, middle or rear assembly 2021-09-27 · NHTSA campaign 21V750000
Summary 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."
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.

Complaints by component (39 total)

Engine
20
Forward collision avoidance
4
Powertrain
4
Service brakes
4
Speed control
3
Air bags
2
Back-over prevention
2
Electrical system
1
Steering
1
Suspension
1
Tires
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Wheels
1
Show 5 more Show less
Crash-flagged

7

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

12021112022920231020242202562026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "I entered the interstate normally, with no issues accelerating or merging. While driving at approximately 70 mph, in traffic, all three warning messages appeared on the instrument cluster at the same time: “Smart Brake…"
    Powertrain, Speed control, Forward collision avoidance · filed 2026-09-12
  • "On a high-speed highway (Route 14), the vehicle suffered a sudden flat tire/air loss event, forcing an emergency pull-off onto a narrow shoulder with 65 mph traffic. Subsequent inspection revealed the failed tire and…"
    Tires · filed 2026-08-27
  • "The vehicle was parked stationary in the driveway with the engine running for 3-5 minutes with the A/C on. The vehicle then accelerated forward into my garage causing damage. Once I entered the vehicle, both the dash…"
    Powertrain, Speed control, Engine · filed 2026-08-10
  • "1) What component or system failed or malfunctioned: On 6/12/2026 While drive on the highway with our daughter in the car and we experienced a high speed stall. The engine failed and we lost power. We barely got the car…"
    Engine · filed 2026-07-23
  • "This complaint refers to Mazda and it's dealer refusal to properly execute the warranty work under the SSPD5 Valve Stem Seal Class Action Campaign and does not follow the Court's approval of the final Settlement…"
    Engine · filed 2026-07-12

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 Mazda CX-9 SUV AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2021 Mazda CX-9 SUV FWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
CX-9 two-wheel drive 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 22 28 24 MPG $2700
CX-9 four-wheel drive 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Four-wheel drive 20 26 23 MPG $2800

Specs and fitment

2nd generation (TC), 2016–2023
Body styles SUV
Oil SAE 5W-30 (SKYACTIV-G 2.5T turbo) , 5.1 qt capacity
Tire size 255/50R20, 255/60R18 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 3,500 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 19V-403 covers certain 2018 Mazda CX-9 vehicles: the wiring harness may disrupt electrical communications and disable the passenger frontal air bag, turn signals, and/or engine starting; dealers repair the harnesses. Campaign 21V-875 covers certain 2018-2019 CX-9 vehicles (with Mazda3, Mazda6, CX-3, CX-5, MX-5, and Mazda2 in the same campaign) where the low-pressure fuel pump impeller may crack and cause an engine stall; dealers replace the fuel pumps. Confirm open campaigns by VIN; multi-model unit counts are shared.

Compare

Previous year 2020 Mazda CX-9 Next year 2022 Mazda CX-9 See every Mazda CX-9 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-9 reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2021 Mazda CX-9 holds 39 complaints after 6 years, a rate of 7 per year. That is more complaints per year than most CX-9 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Middle or rear assembly.

What are common problems with a 2021 Mazda CX-9?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (20 of 39), then Forward collision avoidance (4) and Powertrain (4). Those filings include 7 that report a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-9 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 CX-9 has 19 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2022 has 10 complaints, 1 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

Has the 2021 Mazda CX-9 been recalled?

The 2021 Mazda CX-9 has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Mazda CX-9?

Owners have filed 39 complaints about the 2021 Mazda CX-9 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Mazda CX-9 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 Mazda CX-9 is 23.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a Mazda CX-9 use?

US CX-9 manuals specify SAE 5W-30 for the SKYACTIV-G 2.5T turbo engine.

What generation is the 2018 Mazda CX-9?

2nd generation / TC (2016-2023).

What tire sizes does a Mazda CX-9 use?

Second-gen US sizes include 255/60R18 and 255/50R20; first-gen pages list 245/60R18 and 245/50R20.