2015 Mazda CX-9 Problems & Owner Complaints

Engine 17

“My Mazda has been serviced regularly, in fact my next oil change isn't for 2,000 more miles. I was driving when I heard this weird noise. I looked at the dash and the oil light was flashing and the temperature was over heating. I could also feel the vehicle getting sluggish. I pulled over on the interstate. All the lights were on by this time. I popped the hood and there wasn't any coolant in the resivour anymore. I let the car cool down and I added some water as I was 1 mile from the exit where there was a gas station. I had to baby the car to the exit and shut it off whenever it got hot. The…”
NHTSA complaint #11652669, 2025

“We have a 2015 Mazda CX-9 Touring with All-Wheel Drive (AWD). The issue that has been happening is a flashing check engine light (CEL) indicator showing up in the gauge cluster. This issue originally started in October of 2023. I was on the highway doing at least 55 miles per hour (mph). Before the light actually came on, I had already felt the vehicle shaking, and also noticed the acceleration was sluggish. In the blink of an eye, the CEL came on and started flashing. After that point, the CEL stayed on. I was able to get to my destination safely. We took the vehicle to a shop, and told the…”
NHTSA complaint #11608589, 2024

“The issue is with the design of the Water Pump on this vehicle. From my understanding, this is a common issue with the 2015 Mazda CX-9. What happens is once the water pump starts to fail due to the design, the vehicle starts to stall randomly which poses a safety issue to my family when driving. The vehicle was inspected by a dealership in the area and was ultimately fixed. I was informed that the water pump has been redesigned by the manufacturer to prevent this issue from happening again.”
NHTSA complaint #11544460, 2023

Unknown Or Other 9 2 injury

“I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH GETTING IN MY CAR AND FINDING SPIDERS AND SPIDER WEBS. I HAVE BEEN BITTEN BY THEM AND SO HAS MY FIANC. I GOT IN THE CAR YESTERDAY AND A WEB WAS COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENT TO THE GEAR HANDLE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11328817, 2020 · 2 injury(ies)

“2015 transmission problem Mazda dealership unable to affect because transmissions are no longer made for my model”
NHTSA complaint #11591627, 2024

“My check engine light came on. Thought it was the oil needing to be changed. Oil was extra dark and muggy. Also notice antifreeze low. Fill up antifreeze and change oil. 2 wks later antifreeze back down low. Check engine still on. Got it diagnosed with auto scanner and says camshaft sensor. Went to autoshop, mechanic says it's not cramshaft sensor but water tank leak in engine which was picked up by camshaft sensor. I have yet to find out what else is wrong or if my engine needs to be replaced. For sure the water tank needs replacement. I read from others of their car over heating or completel…”
NHTSA complaint #11517156, 2023

Power Train 3

“We have a 2015 Mazda CX-9 Touring with All-Wheel Drive (AWD). The issue that has been happening is a flashing check engine light (CEL) indicator showing up in the gauge cluster. This issue originally started in October of 2023. I was on the highway doing at least 55 miles per hour (mph). Before the light actually came on, I had already felt the vehicle shaking, and also noticed the acceleration was sluggish. In the blink of an eye, the CEL came on and started flashing. After that point, the CEL stayed on. I was able to get to my destination safely. We took the vehicle to a shop, and told the…”
NHTSA complaint #11608589, 2024

“I was driving into the highway and my vehicle just shut off. I was in the car with my children and I was scared that we were going to be rear ended. I had my mechanic look at the car and he advised me that the water pump leaked and the coolant leaked into the oil. I’m having another mechanic provide me with an estimate of how much the repair is going to cost. After the car shut off and I tried to turn it in again the batter, engine and oils light went off and I had the car towed to the local mechanic.”
NHTSA complaint #11425780, 2021

“THE TRANSMISSION OCCASIONALLY WOULD MAKE A CLUNK SOUND WHEN SHIFTING FROM N TO D. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT.”
NHTSA complaint #11156928, 2015

Service Brakes 3

“MY BRAKE PEDDLE BEGAN HISSING AND MY VEHICLE DOES NOT WANT TO STOP WHEN IN MOTION, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED IT WAS THE BRAKE BOOSTER WHICH IS A PROBLEM MAZDA HAS BEEN HAVING, BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT IN THE YEARS SPECIFIED IN THE WARRANTY EXTENTION. THE DEALERSHIP STATED MAZDA IS NOT WILLING TO HELP OR FIX THE ISSUE, AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. IT IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THE EARLIER MODELS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING AND ARE BEING FIXED AND MINE IS NOT. MAXDA IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND WILL NOT HELP ME. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 58K MILES AND SHOULD HAVE T…”
NHTSA complaint #11155966, 2018

“THE FRONT BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN REPEATEDLY APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN GOING DOWNHILL OR SLOWING REPEATEDLY FROM SPEEDS OF 65 OR SO. I BELIEVE THE BRAKE PARTS BECOME HOT AND CREATE SOMETHING GOOGLE SEARCHES CALL "JUDDER". I HAVE HAD THE STEERING WILL START SHAKING AS WELL. AFTER REPEATED REQUESTS TO MAZDA CORPORATE AND VISITS TO TWO DEALERS, MAZDA CLAIMS THE BRAKES WORK AS DESIGNED. ONE SERVICE MANAGER AT BROWNING MAZDA STATED THE FRONT ROTORS ARE TOO SMALL TO STOP A CAR OF THIS WEIGHT, BUT THIS STATEMENT IS NOT WRITTEN. REGARDING THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, WHEN I TURN LEFT…”
NHTSA complaint #11004679, 2017

“WE HAVE 2015 MAZDA CX-9 WITH 8400 MILES THAT HAS A LEAK ON THE BREAK MASTER CYLINDER. WHICH THE DEALERSHIP WAS DENYING TO BE A LEAK BECAUSE THEY SAW AN OLD DRY DEBRIS ON TOP OF THE FLUID DEPOT. BUT HAVE IT CHECKED TO AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN HAVING A SHIMMY PROBLEM WHEN BRAKING FOR MOTHS AND THEY STILL CAN'T FIGURE AS TO WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR VEHICLE. ALL THEY ARE SAYING IS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THAT I AM SAYING. TO CUT THE LONG STORY SHORT WE BROUGHT OUR VEHICLE TO THEIR SERVICE AGAIN TO FIX THE BREAK FLUID LEAK ON THE CYLINDER BUT THEY ARE SAYING THEY WILL NOT…”
NHTSA complaint #10851060, 2016

Air Bags 2 1 crash 3 injury

“WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A CAR AT MINIMUM GOING 40MPH WHILE PROPELLED MY CAR INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE ENTIRE FRONT AND BACK ENDS OF MY CAR ARE SMASHED IN/HANGING ON AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AUTOBODY SHOP INDICATED THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF WITH THAT MUCH DAMAGE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10701273, 2015 · crash · 3 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NOT ACTIVATED DESPITE AN OPERATING IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS VERIFIED THAT THE AIR BAGS WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS WERE IN FACT BEING MET HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED TO DETECT THE OCCUPANT IN THE SEAT. THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 6,500. UPDATED 01/11/2017*CT UPDATED 01/26/17.*JB ..UPDATED 03/06/17 *BF UPDATED 08/…”
NHTSA complaint #10917323, 2016

Exterior Lighting 2

“The wiring harness on the headlight for my Mazda CX-9 has and continues to melt, causing the bulb to be useless. The only issue that will seem to correct this issue is installing new headlights. According to my research this is a problem that is common to Mazda CX-9 vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #11473038, 2021

“I'VE ONLY HAD MY MAZDA FOR 10 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM TWICE. THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT SOCKET HAS MELTED AND RENDERING THE BULB USELESS. I NOTICED THE SOCKET HAD BEEN SPLICED INTO THE OLD HARNESS SO I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALER SERVICE. THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE TO INSTALL A COMPLETE NEW HARNESS. TO REMOVE THE LIGHT FIXTURE, THE BUMPER WILL NEED TO BE REMOVED. THE ESTIMATE FOR THIS WAS $643.25! I PURCHASED THE WIRING HARNESS AND WITH HELP INSTALLED IT THROUGH THE PORTS IN THE REAR OF THE FIXTURE IN JANUARY 2019. RECENTLY, THE LIGHT STOPPED ILLUMINATING AGAIN ONLY TO FIND THIS SA…”
NHTSA complaint #11243102, 2018

Electrical System 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING 68-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, SMOKE WAS DETECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY, AND OIL WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP BLEW UP AND COOLANT ENTERED THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT CALLED HERITAGE MAZDA BEL AIR (1800 BELAIR RD, SUITE C, FALLSTON, MD 21047, (410) 575-1351) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED REFERENC…”
NHTSA complaint #11289680, 2019

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1

“THE FRONT BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN REPEATEDLY APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN GOING DOWNHILL OR SLOWING REPEATEDLY FROM SPEEDS OF 65 OR SO. I BELIEVE THE BRAKE PARTS BECOME HOT AND CREATE SOMETHING GOOGLE SEARCHES CALL "JUDDER". I HAVE HAD THE STEERING WILL START SHAKING AS WELL. AFTER REPEATED REQUESTS TO MAZDA CORPORATE AND VISITS TO TWO DEALERS, MAZDA CLAIMS THE BRAKES WORK AS DESIGNED. ONE SERVICE MANAGER AT BROWNING MAZDA STATED THE FRONT ROTORS ARE TOO SMALL TO STOP A CAR OF THIS WEIGHT, BUT THIS STATEMENT IS NOT WRITTEN. REGARDING THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, WHEN I TURN LEFT…”
NHTSA complaint #11004679, 2017

Engine And Engine Cooling 1

“The contact owns a 2015 Mazda CX9. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that the engine was overheating. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle stalled again. The vehicle continued to coast into a parking lot. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the water pump, timing chain, cam phaser, timing chain tensioner, and an engine replacement were needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mil…”
NHTSA complaint #11569248, 2024

Fuel/Propulsion System 1

“We have a 2015 Mazda CX-9 Touring with All-Wheel Drive (AWD). The issue that has been happening is a flashing check engine light (CEL) indicator showing up in the gauge cluster. This issue originally started in October of 2023. I was on the highway doing at least 55 miles per hour (mph). Before the light actually came on, I had already felt the vehicle shaking, and also noticed the acceleration was sluggish. In the blink of an eye, the CEL came on and started flashing. After that point, the CEL stayed on. I was able to get to my destination safely. We took the vehicle to a shop, and told the…”
NHTSA complaint #11608589, 2024

Seat Belts 1

“I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW ON SEPTEMBER 18,2015. HAVING THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT 3 TIMES. I GOT HOME THE FIRST DAY AND THE BELT WAS NOT REGISTERING AND WAS MAKING NOISE WHEN I HAD IT ON. THE LAST 2 TIMES I CONTINUE TO HEAR NOISE COMING FROM THE CAR. THE NOISE IS HEARD FROM UNDERNEATH AND IT HAS TO BE DRIVEN FOR SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MINUTES BEFORE THE NOISE GOES AWAY. I RECORDED THE NOISE ON NOVEMBER 28,2015 AND CALLED THE DEALER VERY UPSET BECAUSE ITS A PROBLEM THAT'S NOT BEING ADDRESSED AND FIXED. I DROPPED THE CAR OFF ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 30,2015 AND WAS TOLD…”
NHTSA complaint #10807974, 2015

Seats 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (HALL MAZDA VIRGINIA BEACH, 4372 HOLLAND ROAD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23452, (877) 438-1954) REPAIRED THE SEAT AND SEAT FRAME TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A THIRD TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11208776, 2019

Steering 1

“WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2015 AND ABOUT 2 OR 3 MOTHS AFTER I NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE ROTOR HAD A DEEP SCRATCH ON IT. THEY FIXED IT BY SANDING THE ROTOR INSTED OF REPLACING THE ROTOR. NEXT TIME I BROUGHT WAS AN OIL LEAK ON THE FRONT SIDE OF THE MOTOR ABOUT 4000MILES. THEY SAID THAT THE OIL FILTER IS LOOSED. SO ME AND MY WIFE WENT HOME HAVING SOME PIECEOF MIND THAT I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY WILL DO THE RIGHT THING. BUT AT 7000 MILES I BROUGHT OUR VEHICLE FOR FIRST OIL CHANGE AND TOLD THEM THERES A SCREECHING SOUND ON ONE OF THE PULLEYS IN THE MOTOR. ALSO THE S…”
NHTSA complaint #10845656, 2016

Visibility 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR VIBRATED CAUSING THE CONTACT'S VISION TO BECOME DISTORTED THROUGH THE MIRROR. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE OBJECTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10748689, 2015

Visibility/Wiper 1

“DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR MIRROR VIBRATES AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND HAS NOTICEABLE SHAKING. SAFETY DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING.”
NHTSA complaint #10971729, 2017