2015 Mazda CX-9 recalls & problems

The 2015 Mazda CX-9 has 2 safety recalls and 35 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (17 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints35filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

1 recall for this model year carries an NHTSA do not drive advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Safety recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V717000 · Oct 12, 2018 · 155,436 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)

NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

Steering

NHTSA recall 16V203000 · Apr 11, 2016 · 578 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If the bolts are loose, they will be replaced and then correctly tightened, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9316D.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2015 Mazda CX-9 NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2015 Mazda CX-9 NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

2015 Mazda CX-9 SUV FWD

Overall	★★★★★
Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	15.1%

2015 Mazda CX-9 SUV AWD

Overall	★★★★★
Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	14.3%

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

CX-9 2WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

CX-9 4WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine	17	0	0	83,873 mi
Unknown or other	9	0	2	34,192 mi
Service brakes	3	0	0	16,000 mi
Power train	3	0	0	—
Air bags	2	1	3	—
Exterior lighting	2	0	0	—
Visibility	1	0	0	—
Seat belts	1	0	0	—
Steering	1	0	0	—
Visibility/wiper	1	0	0	—
Electronic stability control (esc)	1	0	0	—
Seats	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Apr 3, 2025Engine
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 oil was full and seemed overfull even..... Mechanic is guessing the coolant leaked if the…
Aug 8, 2024Engine
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 mechanics the issue, but they could not re-create what happened. We stopped driving the vehicle as…
May 30, 2024Unknown or other
2015 transmission problem Mazda dealership unable to affect because transmissions are no longer made for my model
Jan 30, 2024 · 124,000 milesEngine and engine cooling
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 mileage was 124,000.
Sep 1, 2023Engine
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.
Apr 14, 2023Engine
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 completely stopped working. I fear this because I have 3 kids and on weekends I drive on the highway for…
Feb 14, 2023Engine
Engine failed suddenly while driving on a busy street. No lights were on, no warnings. Slight hum earlier that day, that was almost indistinguishable from the radio or other road noise. Steering and brakes not responsive. Had it towed to dealer who found that the water pump had failed which allowed coolant to leak into the oil. Dealer mechanic stated that the water pump is not visible to any mechanic without removing the entire engine, therefore would not have been able to see defects or problems ahead of event. Also said the fix would run a minimum of $3400 if a new water pump could even fix the problem. Found that there is a class action lawsuit against Mazda already for the CX9 for my…
Jan 15, 2023Engine
Water pump failed and leaked coolant into oil. Known issue by Mazda but they have failed to warn consumers. Repairs roughly 4000 dollars. Luckily I caught before engine failed due to lubricant dilution from coolant. Potentially a very dangerous flaw.

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.