Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Mazda CX-9 problems

Owners filed 68 complaints about the 2013 Mazda CX-9 with NHTSA between Apr 2013 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is engine (17).

Complaints
68
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Wheels1
  11. Visibility/wiper1
  12. Visibility1
  13. Seats1
  14. Exterior lighting1

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20136
20144
20155
201611
20175
20187
20196
20208
20217
20223
20232
20241
20251
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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 reports1 related recall
“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

Air bags

9 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2024Air bagsODI 11611055

Power train

5 reports1 fire
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2021Power trainODI 11432651

Structure

4 reports2 crashes
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2025Structure, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11689655
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

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