2018 Mazda CX-9 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
126 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
26,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 74 of 126 complaints (58.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 10.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 4.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.4% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 1.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 74 |
| Unknown Or Other | 19 |
| Electrical System | 15 |
| Power Train | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
Engine: 74; Unknown Or Other: 19; Electrical System: 15; Power Train: 13; Service Brakes: 11; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 3; Steering: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 111 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 39 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 10 |
2017: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 5; 2020: 3; 2021: 5; 2022: 21; 2023: 39; 2024: 30; 2025: 10; 2026: 10
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11053492 · 2017-12-08 (December 8, 2017)
I PURCHASED A NEW MAZDA CX-9 IN SEPT 2017 BECAUSE IT HAD THE HIGHLY TOUTED SMART CITY BRAKING SYSTEM FOR WHICH I PAID THOUSANDS EXTRA. I HAD HAD A PREVIOUS REAR END COLLISION AND WANTED TO BE SURE THIS SYSTEM WOULD AT LEAST WARN ME. I SET UP SOME CARDBOARD BOXES WRAPPED IN ALUMINUM FOIL. I SLOWLY (10 MPH) DROVE THE CAR INTO THEM WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR. THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR WARN ME.(I TRIED SENDING A VIDEO TO YOU FROM MY IPHONE WHICH MAY NOT GO THROUGH) I MADE AN APPOINT TO REPAIR THIS OBVIOUS FACTORY DEFECT AND SIGN…
Owner-reported narrative. 946 miles reported. Look up ODI 11053492 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11232824 · 2019-07-17 (July 17, 2019)
I WAS WAITING IN A STATIONARY POSITION, AT A RED LIGHT, BEHIND SOME OTHER VEHICLES, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LURCH FORWARD AS IF SOMEONE HAD STEPPED HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL! I WAS STRUGGLING TO KEEP THE CAR STILL BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER, BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP THE CAR. I HAD TO PUT IT IN PARK AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE TO STOP THE FORWARD THRUST OF THE VEHICLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11232824 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11192600 · 2019-03-30 (March 30, 2019)
THIS VEHICLE IS HAS BEEN ON LEASE FOR 1 YEAR AND HAS LESS THAN 4000 MILES ON IT. INITIALLY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN PARKED OVERNIGHT IT GAVE THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS: - KEYLESS ENTRY MALFUNCTION - CHARGING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION - VEHICLE OVERHEATING - BATTERY MALFUNCTION THE CAR WOULD NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL I HELD THE START/STOP BUTTON IN FOR ROUGHLY 20SECS. THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER TOOK THE CAR AND TOLD US THE BATTERY HAD A LOW CHARGE, CHARGED IT AND RETURNED IT. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTIO…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11192600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11207796 · 2019-05-15 (May 15, 2019)
CPSC: THE MANUFACTURER SELLS A SMART CAR SEAT. *DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE CYBEX SIRONSAFE 2.0 CAR SEATS PLUG INTO THE VEHICLES OBD PORTS. THE CAR SEATS BOTH INDIVIDUALLY DRAINED THE BATTERY OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11207796 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11455059 · 2022-03-03 (March 3, 2022)
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while pulling up to a gas pump the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact added gasoline to the vehicle, restarted the vehicle, and was able to continue to drive to her residence. Several weeks later the failure recurred while the contact was pulling into a parking lot. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact’s husband arrived at the scene and added gasoline to the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted however, the check engine warning light remained illuminate…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11455059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11465504 · 2022-05-20 (May 20, 2022)
When this vehicle is low on fuel (but not empty) and under heavy acceleration, the fuel pump temporarily fails causing the engine to stall. This creates a serious safety hazard. Other 2019 Mazda models were covered for a similar defect under NHTSA Campaign Number 21V-875, however this specific VIN is questionably not included under that recall.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11465504 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11403803 · 2021-03-19 (March 19, 2021)
EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ('EPB') BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION FOLLOWING RECALL TO FIX ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON MAZDA CX-9, 2018. EPB WILL NOT RELEASE, OR WILL UNEXPECTEDLY AND SUDDENLY RELEASE WITH CAR ACCELERATING IN GEAR ('DRIVE' OR 'REVERSE'). MOST RECENTLY WHEN ACTIVATING THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ((CAR WAS ON A A ROADWAY INCLINE) THE BRAKE WOULD NOT RELEASE, AFTER 2 HOURS OF BEING STRANDED AND OF ATTEMPTING TO GET THE BRAKE TO RELEASE, ( INCLUDING ROCKING/SHIFTING/ALTERNATING GEARS/BRAKING/SEAT BELT ON/SEAT BELT OFF/ MANUAL BRAKE ON/OFF AND FOLLO…
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11403803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418943 · 2021-05-29 (May 29, 2021)
When I shifted into reverse the back up camera wouldn’t come on and instead a screen that said check your surroundings stayed on the screen. I reset it using the 3 button reset method and it came back on. Drove it to the grocery store, and then it sat in my driveway for 3 hours. When I went to go back in to town, the car was completely dead. No power whatsoever. We tried jumper cables and those didn’t work. Finally tried a battery charger and after an hour of charging it finally came back on. A car this new shouldn’t be having these issues.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11630249 · 2024-12-11 (December 11, 2024)
Steering makes knocking noises when turning. It happened suddenly with no damage to car to cause it. It was fine prior to parking, when the car was restarted and the wheel was turned knocking noise started. Mechanic found there is a tsb for this problem but no recall.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11630249 at NHTSA ↗