What are the most common problems on the 2014 Mazda CX-9?

NHTSA has 54 owner complaint(s) on record for the 2014 Mazda CX-9. Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2014 Mazda CX-9, cited in 19 of 54 filed complaints (35%).

Problems › Mazda › 2014 CX-9

2014 Mazda CX-9 Problems & Owner Complaints

54 NHTSA owner complaints

1 crash 1 fire

Age-normalised, this year draws ~4.2 complaints per year on the road — ranking 10 of 14 Mazda CX-9 years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2014 Mazda CX-9, cited in 19 of 54 filed complaints (35%).

Service Brakes is next (9 complaints, 17%), followed by Power Train (7), Fuel/Propulsion System (5), Suspension (5).

Across all complaints, 1 report a crash, 1 report a fire.

The most safety-critical cluster is Power Train: 1 fire report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2014 Mazda CX-9, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 54.

Engine 19

“The water pump failed causing water to mix with the oil and damage the head gasket. Estimates recommend replacing engine. The service engine light came on and we took it to our trusted mechanic right away. Got the estimates from two mechanics for this repair and then towed the car to Mazda dealer who confirmed the problem. We wrote to Mazda's corporate office and was told they would not fix it. My car has 68,000 miles and was regularly serviced. It is currently sitting dead in my garage. We bought this car in 2015 brand new from the Mazda dealer in Monroeville, PA. This is outrageous!…”
NHTSA complaint #11576989, 2023

“I bought a vehicle from Carvana 11/2021 with not quite 59k on it. On 6/21/2023, with 77K miles, my car had a catastrophic engine failure. I was driving my grandchildren ages, 3-12 years of age home. Safety was definitely at risk with speeds of 70 freeway were completed right before engine stopping. The mechanic shop has confirmed the car giving 3 codes related to timing belt/water pump and the other code which confirms engine failure. No warning lights had come on until I tried to restart it. Since this situation is most recent, I have not had anyone else inspect the vehicle. I am working thro…”
NHTSA complaint #11528675, 2023

“Water pump failed and ruined the engine. There was little to no warning.”
NHTSA complaint #11538157, 2022

Service Brakes 9 1 crash

“THIS IS A MAZDA CX9 2014 AWD. I NEEDED TO STOP QUICKLY ON A CITY STREET IN MODERATE TRAFFIC AT 3:00PM. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPR NORTH IN THE INSIDE LANE ON A DRY ROAD. I PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD AND THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN BUT, CONTINUED ON UNTIL IT IMPACTED WITH THE CAR IN FRONT. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THERE WERE NO PHYSICAL INJURIES TO DRIVERS OF EITHER INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR IS ESTIMATED TO BE OVER $2000.00 DOLLARS. I HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN THIS CAR IN TO THE MAZDA DEALER HERE IN TEMECULA, CA LAST MONTH BECAUSE THE BRAKES HAD BEEN NON-RESPONSIVE B…”
NHTSA complaint #10822425, 2015 · crash

“Brakes stopped working while we were on vacation. Made the drive down fine, but the next day went to drive the car, pressed the brakes and the car did not come to a complete stop. Also made a funny noise when we tried to press on the brakes. My husband practically had to stand up and push all the way down to get car to stop. Luckily we were not in a congested or confined place. Ended up replacing the brake booster. Three weeks later my acceleration stopped working intermittently. I go to press the gas and the car doesn’t go. The dealership is saying it’s the brake signal.”
NHTSA complaint #11538158, 2023

“Breaks became very hard to press and I was having trouble stopping the car. I could not drive it to the Mazda dealer who was too far. I took a chance and drove a few miles to local break shop. They replaced the master cylinder and the break booster. Parts and labor were $1083.87”
NHTSA complaint #11533482, 2023

Unknown Or Other 9

“I was driving on interstate and there were not any other vehicles that were all that close to me. All of a sudden there was this huge extremely loud bang and glass shattering sound. Scared me to death. I never saw anything, I pulled over at next exit and saw my sunroof with a huge hole and shattered. I drove back by where i was driving and there was nothing i could see that could have caused that to happen. After doing a little research i'm positive the sunroof exploded. Thankfully my kids were not in there and i was able to remain calm enough to get pulled over safely”
NHTSA complaint #11527008, 2023

“Sunroof exploded spontaneously, we have a dashcam and nothing from the road hit it.”
NHTSA complaint #11463396, 2022

“- Water pump failed causing coolant to mix with oil. This repair cost was around $3,900. - Luckily this failure happened on our community road and was able to pull into our driveway. Mechanic stated that if this happened on the highway or regular road, this could have caused a major incident and possibly a blown motor. - No, but complaints of similar issues have been reported via my online research. - Just by the mechanic I had my vehicle towed to. - There was no indication of an issue until the water pump failed.”
NHTSA complaint #11482138, 2021

Power Train 7 1 fire

“WE WERE ON A CITY ROAD UPHILL AND DRIVING TO A FRIENDS HOME. OUR MAZDA CX-9 GRAND TOURING MADE A RATTLING NOISE, RELEASED A LOT OF WHITE SMOKE, AND LOST ACCELERATION. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE CAR ON THE SHOULDER AND A BY PASSER STOPPED HIS CAR ON OPPOSITE SHOULDER AND ANALYZED THE SITUATION AND SHOUTED MOVE YOUR FAMILY OUT AND MOVE FROM THE CAR SINCE ITS ON FIRE UNDERNEATH. WE IMMEDIATELY MOVED OUT AND BY PASSER CALLED 911. ALL THE TIME WHILE WE WAITED AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE CAR WAS DRIPPING FIRE.”
NHTSA complaint #11113446, 2018 · fire

“I purchased a 2014 Mazda CX-9 back in May of 2020 w/ roughly 60k on the dash. Literally 7 months later w/ about 72k on the dash, the day after Christmas I was driving to work (I worked in the next state over) on the highway my car just shut down. No warnings, no check engine lights NOTHING! It just completely shut off and would not turn on. Thankfully because of the holiday the highway was pretty empty and I was able to swing my car across the interstate so I wouldn’t get hit by oncoming traffic. After getting out and deciding to check my oil I noticed it looked milky. I had no idea what that…”
NHTSA complaint #11597219, 2020

Fuel/Propulsion System 5

“Water pump defect that led to pump failure, which led to catastrophic engine failure without any prior warning. The defect is in the internal chain-driven water pump. The pump is meant to circulate coolant through the engine while the engine is running. However, the defect allows coolant to leak from water pump into the oil pan and/or other engine components, mixing it with the engine’s oil and leading to destruction of the engine. Mazda’s internal data indicates that the company began receiving reports of premature water pump failures in vehicles identical to mine (mine is a 2014 Mazda CX-9)…”
NHTSA complaint #11494654, 2022

Suspension 5

“The contact owns a 2014 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was drifting to either side. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had to forcefully grip the steering wheel to avoid losing control of vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was discovered that there was severe corrosion around the front suspension ball joints. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V451000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact wa…”
NHTSA complaint #11626356, 2024

“HEARD LOUD GRINDING SOUND FROM RIGHT REAR SIDE OF VEHICLE WHEN TURNING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. BROUGHT TO MECHANIC AND NEEDED R REAR WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY COSTING $1000.00. NOTICED THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE.”
NHTSA complaint #11343006, 2020

“VEHICLE HAD A LOUD GRINDING/GROWING SOUND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN OCTOBER 2018 REPLACED RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING, SAME ISSUE TOOK TO DEALER REPLACED LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING IN MAY 2019, SAME ISSUE REPLACED LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING AGAIN DECEMBER OF 2019, SAME ISSUE REPLACED RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING MARCH 2020”
NHTSA complaint #11315570, 2018

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Air Bags 3

“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V717000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER IN OCTOBER OF 2018. THE DEALER (NAPLETON'S ARLINGTON MAZDA, 1555 E RAND RD, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60004) STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT CONSUMER STATED REPAIR COMPLETED.*JB”
NHTSA complaint #11156638, 2018

“TAKATA RECALL MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL NOTICES REFERENCING THE TAKATA AIRBAG PROBLEM. MAZDA HAS STILL NOT INITIATED A RECALL. I HAVE SUPPLIED MY EMAIL ADDRESS TO THE TKRESTUCTURING.COM/PPIC IN REFERENCE TO THE CHAPTER 11 CASE NO. 17-11375 (BLS). MY COMPLAINT SPECIFICALLY IS AGAINST MAZDA AND WHY THEY ARE DRAGGING THEIR FEET IN INITIATING RECALLS FOR THE AFFECTED AIRBAGS. WE HAVE NOT HAD AN ISSUE YET, BUT DO FEAR WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF A VEHICLE CRASH WOULD DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS. INJURIES AND EVEN DEATH COULD HAPPEN. MAZDA NEEDS TO BEGIN ISSUANCE OF THE RECALL NOTICES…”
NHTSA complaint #11043404, 2017

“TAKATA RECALL ACCORDING TO YOUR AIRBAG RECALL LIST WEBSITE (HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV/RS/TAKATA/TAKATALIST.HTML), THE 2014 MAZDA CX-9 IS PART OF THE TAKATA RECALL, HOWEVER WHEN YOU USE THE LOOK-UP TOOL, IT IS NOT LISTED AS UNDER RECALL (HTTPS://WWW.NHTSA.GOV/RECALLS). PLEASE CONFIRM WHETHER MY VEHICLE IS UNDER RECALL. WHEN WILL MAZDA UPDATE THEIR INFO ON THIS AND BEGIN NOTIFICATIONS?”
NHTSA complaint #10937908, 2016

Seats 3

“THE DRIVER SEAT AND PASSENGER SEAT HAS A CLICKING NOISE AND HAS A LITTLE PLAY ON THE BACK REST WHILE TURNING AROUND CORNERS AT ANY SPEED. I AM WORRIED DURING A TIME OF HIGH STRESS DURING A FENDER BENDER OR HIGH IMPACT CRASH THESE SEATS WILL FAIL AND BREAK.”
NHTSA complaint #10817700, 2016

“I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 7,000 MILES AND SINCE THE BEGINNING THERE HAS BEEN A HUMMING NOISE EVERY TIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO EITHER SIDE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A PIECE OF PLASTIC STUCK TO THE CONTROL ARM. THE CAR CONTINUED MAKING THE NOISE ONLY AUDIBLE ON A QUIET NIGHT AND NOW THE CAR HAS 30,000 AND HUMMING IS MORE PRONOUNCED DAY AND NIGHT WITH ONLY SLIGHT TURN ANGLE. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE DRIVERS SEAT HAS A LITTLE PLAY, FELT DURING TURNS. AND THE LAST ISSUE IS THE USB JUST STOPPED WORKING”
NHTSA complaint #10920079, 2014

Steering 3

“1) WHEN LEFT PARKED FOR 2-3 DAYS, MAZDA CX-9 (MINE IS 2013) CONSISTENTLY DRAINS THE BATTERY 2) ON MY GRAND TOURING THE STEERING HAS A SHAKE AT ABOVE 60 MPH THE ABOVE PROBLEMS ARE COMMON ON ALL MAZDA CX-9 AND CONSUMERS ARE SPENDING $$$ ON THESE MANUFACTURER ISSUES”
NHTSA complaint #11320686, 2020

Electrical System 2

“I STARTED MY CAR AT HOME TO ALLOW IT TO WARM UP WHILE I GOT THE KIDS READY FOR SCHOOL. MY CARS STARTS WITH KEYFOB (NO KEY) ONCE WE WAS ALL READY WE LEFT HOME TO GO TO SCHOOL. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE MY CAR TO THE SCHOOL (WITHOUT THE KEYS, APPARENTLY I LEFT THEM ON THE TABLE AND FORGOT TO GRAB THEM) WE ARRIVED AT THE SCHOOL. I PARKED, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ENTERED THE BUILDING. WHEN I RETURNED TO LEAVE, I WAS UNABLE TO SINCE I DID NOT HAVE MY CAR KEYS. MY MAZDA CX9 WILL SHIFT INTO GEAR AND DRIVE WITHOUT THE FOB WITHIN PROXIMITY TO THE VEHICLE THIS CLEARLY VIOLATES FMVSS 114 S5.2.2- EXCE…”
NHTSA complaint #10929876, 2016

Structure 2

“REAR WINDOW EXPLODED WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE? NEVER EVEN TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10680724, 2015

“PAINT FINISH. CHIPS ON BOTH FRONT DOORS FROM JUST TOUCHING ANYTHING WITH THEM. ALSO PART OF HOOD IS DISCOLORING AND IT HAS A ROUGH FINISH ON IT.”
NHTSA complaint #10818147, 2014

Visibility 2

“WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. I THOUGHT AT FIRST A ROCK HIT, BUT AFTER INSPECTING IT THE GLASS BLEW OUTWARD. SHARDS OF GLASS ARE ALL OVER MY WIFE , CHILDSEATS, INTERIOR, AND MYSELF. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10683499, 2015

“REAR WINDOW EXPLODED WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE? NEVER EVEN TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10680724, 2015

Visibility/Wiper 2

“BACK WINDSHIELD WIPER WON'T MOVE. ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW IN THE FRONT. WONT ROLL UP AND KEEPS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE.”
NHTSA complaint #11338975, 2020

“WAS DRIVING TO DULUTH, MN AND AS I WAS CHECKING OBJECTS ON DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR I NOTICED IT VIBRATING. THAT MONDAY I CALLED MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHEN I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR FROM TO INFORM THEM. THEY TOOK IT IN AND CALLED ME BACK WITH NO SOLUTION SAYING THEIR ENGINEERS HAVE NO ANSWERS TO THE DEFECT. I WENT TO MAZDA FACEBOOK PAGE AND LOUNGED MY CONCERNS I WAS CALLED BY SOMEONE WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF I POSTING MY CONCERNS PROMISING TO GET BACK TO ME WITH 24 HRS. UPTOWN TODAY NO RESPONSE. I CAN'T US DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR AS IT MAKES ME DIZZY BUT I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT DRIVE IT AND BE CREATIVE ON HOW I CH…”
NHTSA complaint #10700815, 2014

Engine And Engine Cooling 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DUAL EXHAUST MUFFLER, THE BOLTS, THE CLIPS, AND THE ASSEMBLY WERE COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800.”
NHTSA complaint #10651147, 2014

Wheels 1

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2014 Mazda CX-9 draws about 4.2 complaints per year on the road, ranking 10 of 14 among the Mazda CX-9 model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.