Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2013 Mazda CX-9Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 68 owner complaints for the 2013 Mazda CX-9. Most complaints involve engine (17) and service brakes (16). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Oct 2018
Owner complaints
68
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Oct 12, 2018NHTSA 18V717000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2018NHTSA 18V018000

Steering

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Apr 11, 2016NHTSA 16V203000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

68 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2013 – Apr 2026
  1. Engine17
  2. Service brakes16
  3. Suspension9
  4. Air bags9
  5. Power train5
  6. Structure4
  7. Seat belts2
  8. Back over prevention1
  9. Forward collision avoidance1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each CX-9 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200786
2008172
200959
2010195
2011171
2012221
201368
201454
201535
201699
201761
2018128
201953
202019
202140
202211
202313
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

17 reports
“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...”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 14, 2026EngineODI 11731017

Service brakes

16 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2020Service brakesODI 11349740

Suspension

9 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2026Suspension, EngineODI 11722285
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CX-9 2WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,400456
CX-9 4WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel Drive
162219$3,400480
  • CX-9 2WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • CX-9 4WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Mazda CX-9 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
3 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.3%
Overall
4 / 5
Mazda CX-9 SUV FWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
3 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 7187Vehicle 7186
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 CX-9 questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Mazda CX-9 have?

4 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.

What are the most common 2013 Mazda CX-9 problems?

Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (17), service brakes (16), suspension (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Mazda CX-9 get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Mazda CX-9 at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Mazda CX-9?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Mazda CX-9 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026