NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 59 owner complaints for the 2009 Mazda CX-9. Most complaints involve service brakes (17) and air bags (16). The EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
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.
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2012 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 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 included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 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 included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2007-2008 CX-7 and CX-9 sold, or 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. 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 rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each CX-9 model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 86 |
| 2008 | 172 |
| 2009 | 59 |
| 2010 | 195 |
| 2011 | 171 |
| 2012 | 221 |
| 2013 | 68 |
| 2014 | 54 |
| 2015 | 35 |
| 2016 | 99 |
| 2017 | 61 |
| 2018 | 128 |
| 2019 | 53 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2021 | 40 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 13 |
“MY BRAKES STARTED FEELING SPONGY BUT HARD TO PUSH WHEN I WOULD TRY TO COME TO A STOP. IT FELT AT TIMES LIKE MY CAR WASN'T GOING TO STOP. I STOPPED DRIVING IT AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS REPLACED. AT THAT TIME, I LOST BRAKES COMPLETELY. THE BRAKE PEDDLE GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHEN PRESSED. HOPEFULLY THE BOOSTER IS A BAD ONE.”
“TAKATA RECALL, I CALLED MAZDA AMERICA ON OR AROUND MARCH 1, 2019 ABOUT THIS RECALL, I EXPLAINED I WOULD NEED A VEHICLE TO USE AS THEY FIXED IT, THE LADY ON THE PHONE EXPLAINED THAT THERE DEALER IN HUNTERSVILLE NC WOULD NOT HAVE A VEHICLE TO LOAN FOR THREE OR FOUR DAY AND THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD CALL ME, ITS NOT THE 25TH OF MARCH AND NO PHONE CALLS FRON MAZDA OR THERE DEALER!”
“The contact owns a 2009 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact stated the brake pads and rotors were replaced; however, the abnormal sound persisted. The contact called and informed the dealer of the issue however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V451000 (Suspension) as a possible solution for the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-9 2WD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| CX-9 4WD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
7 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 59 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (17), air bags (16), suspension (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2009 Mazda CX-9 at 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).