2013 Mazda CX-9 Problems & Owner Complaints

Engine 17

“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 ag…”
NHTSA complaint #11731017, 2026

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11722285, 2026

“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 ful…”
NHTSA complaint #11511035, 2023

Service Brakes 16 2 crash 1 injury

“LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE COMING DOWN A RAMP IN A PARKING GARAGE, CAUSING ME TO STRIKE POLE IN GARAGE, OR WOULD HAVE CAREENED OVER 6TH FL RAILING DOWN 6 STORIES TO STREET. VEHICLE IN MOTION.”
NHTSA complaint #10781545, 2015 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“A TRUCK SWERVED INTO MY LANE AND I TRIED TO BRAKE. THE PEDAL DIDN'T IMMEDIATELY DEPRESS SO I HAD TO SERVE. JUMPED A CURB AND HIT A SIGN. MORE THAN $11,000 OF DAMAGE. THE BRAKE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS QUICKLY.”
NHTSA complaint #10885005, 2016 · crash

“Brakes failed while driving. Mazda dealer did not fix this known defect under recall SSP93”
NHTSA complaint #11437888, 2021

Air Bags 9 1 crash 1 injury

“LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE COMING DOWN A RAMP IN A PARKING GARAGE, CAUSING ME TO STRIKE POLE IN GARAGE, OR WOULD HAVE CAREENED OVER 6TH FL RAILING DOWN 6 STORIES TO STREET. VEHICLE IN MOTION.”
NHTSA complaint #10781545, 2015 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11611055, 2024

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11423422, 2021

Suspension 9

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11722285, 2026

“I HAD JUST COME OUT OF A TRAFFIC CIRCLE AND ENTERED A STRAIGHT STRETCH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CRUNCHING SOUND. I WOULD ESTIMATE MY SPEED TO BE BETWEEN 15MPH AND 20 MPH .THE VEHICLE SHOOK BUT I WAS ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD BUT HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING AND COULD NOT BRAKE. THE CAR SPUTTERED TO A STOP THEN I HEARD A HISSING SOUND. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE I SAW THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AT A RIGHT ANGLE TO THE FENDER AND FLUIDS LEAKING ONTO THE PAVEMENT. THE WHEEL WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED. THE TOW DRIVER REPORTED THAT IT TOOK HIM ONE HOUR TO LOAD THE VEHICLE ONTO A FLATBED BECAUSE THE AXLE KEPT POPPING…”
NHTSA complaint #10913635, 2016

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE TWISTED INTO THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER BALL JOINT HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V451000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE…”
NHTSA complaint #10893383, 2016

Unknown Or Other 9

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11423136, 2021

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11413454, 2021

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11383969, 2020

Power Train 5 1 fire

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND MY MAZDA CX9 CAUGHT FIRE! I DIDN'T REALIZE IT SINCE IT WAS UNDER THE CAR AND THE CAR BESIDE INFORMED ME OF IT. THIS WAS DUE TO THE TRANSFER CASE ISSUES THAT MAZDA HAD TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THEM BECAUSE OF SO MANY ISSUES WITH THEM. THEY ARE COVERED FOR 90 THOUSAND MILES OR 7 YEARS. MY TRANSFER CASE WAS ALREADY REPLACED ONCE AND DO TO ISSUES AND NOW SINCE MY CAR IS PAST THE 7 YEARS BUT ONLY HAS 60 THOUSAND MILES THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR IT. EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSFER CASE THEY REPLACED A FEW YEARS AGO SHOULD STILL BE UNDER WARRANTY. THIS SITUATION…”
NHTSA complaint #11316715, 2020 · 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”
NHTSA complaint #11432651, 2021

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11338892, 2020

Structure 4 2 crash 2 injury

“LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE COMING DOWN A RAMP IN A PARKING GARAGE, CAUSING ME TO STRIKE POLE IN GARAGE, OR WOULD HAVE CAREENED OVER 6TH FL RAILING DOWN 6 STORIES TO STREET. VEHICLE IN MOTION.”
NHTSA complaint #10781545, 2015 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE METAL ABOVE THE DRIVERS DOOR CHROME STRIP HAD A SHARP EDGE THAT CUT THE CONTACT BELOW THE LEFT EYE, WHILE HE EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT, AND THE REAR DOORS, AND ALSO FOUND THE DEFECTED CHROME WITH THE SHARP EDGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION THE DEALER ADVISED THAT PLASTIC SHARPNESS WAS INDEED A DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10534909, 2013 · 1 injury(ies)

“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 Cha…”
NHTSA complaint #11689655, 2025 · crash

Seat Belts 2

“IN THE THIRD ROW THERE ARE NO KIND OF HOLDERS PREVENTING THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES FROM GOING UNDER AND BETWEEN THE SEATS WHEN THEY ARE FOLDED DOWN AND UP. THIS HAS RESULTED IN THEM GETTING TRAPPED BETWEEN THE SEATS AND UNDER THE FOLDING MECHANISM AND GETTING CRUSHED TO THE POINT OF BEING UNUSABLE AND UNSAFE. WE ARE CURRENTLY UNABLE TO USE THE BACK SEAT SEATBELTS DUE TO THEM BEING UNABLE TO BE BUCKLED AT ALL. WE DISCOVERED THIS WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN WE WENT TO RETRIEVE THE REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES FOR USE.”
NHTSA complaint #11209917, 2019

“THIRD ROW SEAT BELT BUCKLES HAVE NOT HOLDERS PREVENTING IT FROM GOING UNDER AND BETWEEN THE SEATS WHEN SEATS ARE RAISED AND LOWERED. RESULTING IN THE BUCKLES TO BE CRUSHED,BROKEN AND UNUSABLE ENDANGERING PASSENGERS IN THIRD ROW TRAVEL WITHOUT SEAT BELTS ANYMORE”
NHTSA complaint #11234640, 2016

Back Over Prevention 1 1 crash

“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 Cha…”
NHTSA complaint #11689655, 2025 · crash

Electrical System 1

“THE VOICE ACTIVATED NAVIGATION FEATURE ON THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AND BECOMES INOPERABLE WHEN STOPPING OR ACCELORATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE VOICE ACTIVATED FEATURE ONLY WORKS WHILE IN ONE LONG CONTINUOUS MOTION WHICH DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF THE HANDS-FREE VOICE ACTIVATED NAVIGATION AND MAKES USING THE SYSTEM DIFFICULT IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS. THIS CONCERN WAS VOICED TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND SALES STAFF WHO COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY THE SYSTEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING THIS WAY AND ADVISED THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIX IT. NO REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE AND I AM STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THAT DOESN'T FUNC…”
NHTSA complaint #10505485, 2013

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 1

“THE VOICE ACTIVATED NAVIGATION FEATURE ON THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AND BECOMES INOPERABLE WHEN STOPPING OR ACCELORATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE VOICE ACTIVATED FEATURE ONLY WORKS WHILE IN ONE LONG CONTINUOUS MOTION WHICH DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF THE HANDS-FREE VOICE ACTIVATED NAVIGATION AND MAKES USING THE SYSTEM DIFFICULT IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS. THIS CONCERN WAS VOICED TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND SALES STAFF WHO COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY THE SYSTEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING THIS WAY AND ADVISED THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIX IT. NO REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE AND I AM STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THAT DOESN'T FUNC…”
NHTSA complaint #10505485, 2013

Exterior Lighting 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ENGAGED AND FAILED TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD BEYOND 5 FEET. THE FAILURE RECURRED MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN DRIVING ON A MOUNTAINOUS ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150.”
NHTSA complaint #10537524, 2013

Forward Collision Avoidance 1 1 crash

“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 Cha…”
NHTSA complaint #11689655, 2025 · crash

Seats 1

“THE HEADRESTS ON THE 2013 MAZDA CX-9 ARE EXCRUCIATINGLY UNCOMFORTABLE. THEY ANGLE AT A COMPLETELY UNNATURAL FORWARD ANGLE AND FORCE THE DRIVER'S HEAD FORWARD AND DOWN. IT WAS NOT OBVIOUS DURING THE TEST DRIVE. AFTER 6 HRS OF DRIVING THOUGH, PAIN DEVELOPED IN NECK, UPPER SHOULDERS AND LOWER BACK. WHO DESIGNED THIS MESS? WHY CAN'T THE HEADREST JUST BE STRAIGHT UP, LIKE IN THE BACK SEATS? *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10701335, 2015

Visibility 1

“2013 MAZDA CX-9. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RECALL NOTICE AND VEHICLE SUN VISOR ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUN VISOR NO LONGER STAYS IN PLACE. *JB”
NHTSA complaint #10852643, 2016

Visibility/Wiper 1

“SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE. THE VISOR'S LEVEL IS AT MY FOREHEAD, WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR VISIBILITY AND TO MY HEAD WITH ANY SUDDEN IMPACT. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. THIS IS MY FIRST MAZDA. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY MINI VANS WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE REPLACEMENT PART IS $189.00 AND ANOTHER $100.00 TO INSTALL A NEW SUN VISOR.”
NHTSA complaint #10918741, 2016

Wheels 1

“MY VEHICLE SEEMED AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN GEARS ON THE HIGHWAY IT WOULD TAKE FOREVER TO SWITCH INTO HIGHER GEARS FOR HIGHER SPEEDS THEN WHEN SLOWING DOWN IT WOULD JERK AND THEN FINALLY STOP OR IF I WAS IN TRAFFIC WHERE I DIDN'T NEED TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP IT WOULD JERK TO SLOW DOWN AND SKIP GEARS AND JERK TO SPEED BACK UP WHILE ON THE HIGH WAY TRAVELING AT NORMAL SPEED WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET IT WENT FROM 6TH GEAR TO 4TH GEAR FOR NO REASON AT ALL! THEN IT STARTED MAKING NOISES SOUNDING LIKE BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK END FIRST YOU WOULD ONLY HEAR THEM WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR L…”
NHTSA complaint #11013134, 2017