2020 Mazda CX-9: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
14,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 19 complaints (26.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 21.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 15.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 10.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
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 | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Engine: 5; Electrical System: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 2; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 16 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2025: 5; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11307114 · 2020-02-04 (February 4, 2020)
THE MAZDA CX-9 UNCOMMANDED ENGINE ACCELERATION REPORTED HEREIN DID NOT RESULT IN ANY DAMAGE PRIMARILY BECAUSE IT COMMENCED SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER I BEGAN LIGHT BRAKING WHILE APPROACHING A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. MY IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WAS TO INCREASE BRAKE PRESSURE; THERE WAS NO NEED FOR ME TO MOVE MY LEG OTHER THAN PRESSING HARDER WITH MY FOOT. MY FOOT HAD BEEN OFF THE ACCELERATOR FOR MANY SECONDS WHILE ALLOWING THE CAR TO SLOWLY DECELERATE WHILE COASTING TOWARD TRAFFIC STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WITHIN TWO SECONDS OF COMMENCEMENT OF UNCOMMANDED ENGIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11307114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11391114 · 2021-02-01 (February 1, 2021)
FUEL CAP LIGHT ON IN DEC 2020. OUR CAR MILEAGE ~14,000 MILES . WE BOUGHT BRAND NEW CX9 2020 IN AUGUST. DEALER INSPECTED IT AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. DEALER REPROGRAMMED IT. A MONTH LATER JAN 1,2021, FUEL CAP LIGHT IS ON ON AGAIN. WE IGNORED IT THINKING IT IS ANOTHER PROGRAM ISSUE. CAR STARTED TO JERK AND VIBRATE AT STOP SIGN. WE BROUGHT TO DEALER THE NEXT DAY. DEALER SAID CHARCOAL BOX IS LEAKING. I THOUGHT CHARCOAL BOX SHOULD LAST A LIFE TIME. THEY SAID IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY: $680 LATER, THE JERKING/VIBRATING ISSUE IS FIXED. HOPEFULLY THAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11391114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11428575 · 2021-08-10 (August 10, 2021)
The 2020 Mazda completely shut off following an exit from an expressway, turn under a bridge and slow down for a red light. The Mazda electrically shut off and coasted to a braked stop in the center lane of a 3 lane road. The entire electrical system went dead, no exterior lights, signals, instrument panel or radio. There was no warning, everything electrical just shut off. In a moving traffic situation the car could not maneuver or restart without being placed in PARK. (There is a history of Mazda CX 9's having a similar problem which sent t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11428575 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11433381 · 2021-09-17 (September 17, 2021)
On 10/12/2021 we were driving on and urban street when the vehicle infront of us signaled and initiated a right hand turn. At that point were we traveling approximately 20 mph, and we were driving with active cruise disengaged. When we were around 150 feet behind the vehicle taking a right when our CX-9 falsely engaged the emergency braking. Our car with our whole family in it locked up the brakes and stopped in 80 feet short of the car taking a right. The vehicle behind us only managed to stop 10 feet short of hitting us in the rear. It is in …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11433381 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11457856 · 2022-03-22 (March 22, 2022)
The passenger rear plastic wheel trim fell off with no incident/ damage
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11457856 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11474545 · 2022-07-18 (July 18, 2022)
While driving at freeway speed in Oregon, with 85 degrees ambient temperature and A/C inside set to 74 degrees, our CX-9 sunroof exploded outward. The sound was close to a very loud pop, and not the sound of rock/debris impact. At the time of explosion, there were no vehicles nearby and no overpasses from which an object could have dropped. The vehicle had been washed the day before and there was no visible damage to the sunroof. At the time of explosion, the sunroof and interior cover were closed. Upon stopping the vehicle (within less …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11474545 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11521908 · 2023-05-14 (May 14, 2023)
We were on the freeway and all of a sudden it stopped accelerating and the engine light, sensor light, and sensor warning came on. We could not accelerate, that became disabled and we had to pull over. My husband said our fluid levels were normal and he checked them all in the shoulder of the freeway. We turned the vehicle off then on again and all lights went away and we continued on. This is a safety hazard because the car would not accelerate while we were going 60 mph on the freeway. I quickly took a picture of the dash as this was happenin…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11521908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11538387 · 2023-08-14 (August 14, 2023)
Some vehicles may have coolant leaks at the cylinder head around the exhaust manifold. There may be cracks at the stud bolt hole or at the outside of the exhaust manifold - from Mazda's TSB. Excessive coolant leak leading to engine-overheating and going into 'limp mode' couldn't drive faster than around 30 mph. Mazda has repeatedly declined help with goodwill requests and any further assistance. ref. https: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11538387 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V750000 · Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly | Seat Belts:Rear/Other
Reported: 2021-09-27 (September 27, 2021)
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CX-9 vehicles equipped with 60/40 split bench second-row seats. The left-side second-row seat may unexpectedly slide forward during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Consequence: A seat that slides forward during a crash can transfer excessive force onto a belted occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the internal parts of the affected second-row seats, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5221I.
NHTSA campaign record ↗