Model year record
2023 Mazda CX-9 recalls & problems
The 2023 Mazda CX-9 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 13 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (4 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2023 Mazda CX-9.
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
2023 Mazda CX-9 SUV AWD
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 15.1% |
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
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 4WD
| City / highway | 20 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/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 | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 4 | — |
| Forward collision avoidanceWarnings; Automatic emergency braking | 3 | — |
| Steering | 2 | — |
| Service brakes | 2 | — |
| Chest clip, buckle, harness | 2 | — |
| Air bags | 1 | — |
| StructureBody | 1 | — |
| Electrical system | 1 | — |
| Tires | 1 | — |
| Suspension | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Suspension
Structural bolt (p#: 9-YA01-1401-A) connecting the lower control arm assembly to subframe has rusted apart. The head of the bolt was found in my driveway, otherwise there would be no indication of this potentially catastrophic failure. Vehicle is only 3 years old, was a cpo purchase, and has just 55k miles. Underbody is clean of rust. This is 100% a defect. This is a safety issue. Old bolt will need to be extracted and replaced. Not confident in other bolts so will need to at least inspect those. Hopefully, I can update this will the repair estimate from manufacturer.
- Chest clip, buckle, harness
I am reporting a critical mechanical restraint failure regarding the 5-point harness crotch buckles on the Graco TrioGrow and the Graco TriRide car seats. The red button-release tension on both of these models is engineered with insufficient physical resistance. My toddler is capable of physically depressing the lower crotch buckle and completely freeing themselves while the vehicle is traveling at highway speeds. The harness was explicitly verified as tight via the pinch test and the chest clip was at armpit level, proving the failure is strictly the low force required to disengage the buckle.I contacted the manufacturer (Graco), and their customer support agents dismissed this hardware…
- Chest clip, buckle, harness
I am reporting a critical mechanical restraint failure regarding the 5-point harness crotch buckles on the Graco TrioGrow and the Graco TriRide car seats. The red button-release tension on both of these models is engineered with insufficient physical resistance. My toddler is capable of physically depressing the lower crotch buckle and completely freeing themselves while the vehicle is traveling at highway speeds. The harness was explicitly verified as tight via the pinch test and the chest clip was at armpit level, proving the failure is strictly the low force required to disengage the buckle.I contacted the manufacturer (Graco), and their customer support agents dismissed this hardware…
- Forward collision avoidance › WarningsCrash1 injury
On February 9, 2026, our 2023 Mazda CXâ9 experienced a sudden and complete system malfunction while being driven. Multiple system failures began approximately six minutes before the crash. During this time, the driver reported: ⢠Total loss of steering ⢠Complete brake failure ⢠No response to acceleration or driver input ⢠No ability to slow, stop, or maneuver the vehicle ⢠No meaningful warnings that allowed corrective action The vehicle became completely uncontrollable. At the crash site, there were no skid marks, no braking evidence, and no signs of evasive action, consistent with a full loss of vehicle control. The vehicle only stopped after entering approximately two feet…
- Service brakes
If you press both the brake and gas at the same time (even if accidental), the onboard computer apparently thinks that the driver is confused, and it sets the gas flow to âidleâ. The first time this happened was on the freeway, and I was very lucky to be able to coast into a gas station (thinking that I simply running out of gas - even though the gas gauge showed plenty of gas remaining). And so, I took it to Christian Brothers automotive the next day, and they ran extensive (and expensive) diagnostics. They found (to their surprise!) that this is the way the latest CX-9 works! The computer sees that you are on the gas and brakes, and so it âthinksâ that you must be confused. And…
- Tires
I recently purchased a 2023 Mazda CX9 with factory installed tires, Falken Ziex CT50 A/S p255/50R20 104V M+S. I was driving on the freeway on Tuesday [XXX] going around 65-70MPH. My tire pressure light came on all of a sudden, I started to slow down and make my way over to the right lane and then shoulder to check it out and all of a sudden the tire tread completely ripped away from the rest of the tire. Some of the sidewalls stayed intact, which ultimately protected my wheel from damage. But other than the tire pressure light coming on 30 seconds before the failure, there was no warning, no obvious defect or anything in the tire. Had it been one of my front tires it potentially could have…
- Service brakes
I brought my vehicle in on 2/22/25 for a brake issue. I had to pump the brakes every time before I stopped to get the brake pedal to work. If I just hit the brakes the pedal would go almost to the floor. Greico Mazda has attempted 4 times to fix this issue with no success and has had my car in their shop for 4 months. I am now waiting for a Mazda rep to "fly in" to look at the car. They have replaced multiple parts on the car. I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle and have limited faith in Mazda to correct the problem.
- Steering
Starting [XXX], through [XXX], we began receiving multiple "Critical Vehicle Malfunction" alerts (46 alert messages)via the Mazda app, including "Parking Brake Malfunction" and "Electric Parking Brake Malfunction." During this time, the vehicle experienced delayed starts and eventually required a jump-start. We brought it to the dealership multiple times to show the messages, before our 3-year/36,000-mile B2B warranty expired, but the issues were dismissed until the battery was finally replaced. At just over 36,000 miles (currently 39,646), a new issue emerged a âthudâ sound from the steering wheel. The dealer diagnosed it as a failed u-joint shaft, which was deemed non-serviceable and…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.