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2015 Mazda CX-9

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Mazda CX-9 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 61.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

20 reports with mileage · 15 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine complaints

17 reports
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67,384 miles · Jul 21, 2021
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

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 mu…

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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 ODI #11425780

107,300 miles · Mar 20, 2021
Engine

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN MY VEHICLE STARTED OVER HEATING AND LEAKING COOLANT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP.AFTER TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE INTERNAL WATER PUMP THAT CAUSED FLUID TO MIX WITH THE ENGINE OIL RUINING THE ENGINE. I WAS TOLD I HAD THREE OPTIONS: BUY A NEW ENGINE, BUY A USED ENGINE OR B…

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ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN MY VEHICLE STARTED OVER HEATING AND LEAKING COOLANT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP.AFTER TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE INTERNAL WATER PUMP THAT CAUSED FLUID TO MIX WITH THE ENGINE OIL RUINING THE ENGINE. I WAS TOLD I HAD THREE OPTIONS: BUY A NEW ENGINE, BUY A USED ENGINE OR BUY A NEW CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL FOR SEVERAL CUSTOMERS. I ASKED WHY A RECALL NOTICE WAS NOT GIVEN TO VEHICLE OWNERS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT IF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DUE TO THE SUDDEN OCCURRENCE OF THE BREAKDOWN. I WAS DRIVING ON A STREET IN TRAFFIC. (MIDDLE LANE)WHEN MY CAR STARTED OVERHEATING AND SHUT DOWN. I MANAGED TO GET IT TO RESTART AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO SAFELY PULL INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE I QUICKLY TURNED IT OFF. I CONTACTED THE GREENWAY MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO REPORT PROBLEM AND REQUEST TOW SERVICE . MAZDA HAS APPARENTLY BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE FOR A WHILE.

NHTSA ODI #11404014

65,000 miles · Oct 28, 2020
Engine

WE PURCHASED A 2015 MAZDA CX9 WITH 30,000 MILES THREE YEARS AGO. AT THE START OF THE MONTH, THE CAR SUDDENLY OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE FAILED! THE MECHANIC SAID THE WATER PUMP FAILED, THE COOLANT MIXED WITH THE ENGINE OIL AND THE ENGINE WAS DONE. $$7944.41 ADDITIONALLY, THE OVERHEATED ENGINE CAUSED THE TRANSMISS…

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WE PURCHASED A 2015 MAZDA CX9 WITH 30,000 MILES THREE YEARS AGO. AT THE START OF THE MONTH, THE CAR SUDDENLY OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE FAILED! THE MECHANIC SAID THE WATER PUMP FAILED, THE COOLANT MIXED WITH THE ENGINE OIL AND THE ENGINE WAS DONE. $$7944.41 ADDITIONALLY, THE OVERHEATED ENGINE CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO BURN TO A POINT THE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. $$4864. THIS HAPPENED AT 65,000 MILES, 5,000 MILES PAST WARRANTY. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, WE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MAZDAS THAT USE THE DURATECH ENGINE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF EXAMPLES AND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.

NHTSA ODI #11366824

84,564 miles · Oct 6, 2020
Engine

CODE P0016 CAME UP ONE DAY PRIOR TO ENGINE FAILURE. 30 MILES AFTER CHECK ENGINE LINE CAME UP LOSS POWER. UPON INSPECTION WATER PUMP FAILURE AT 85000 MILES. ENGINE MOST LIKELY TOASTED

NHTSA ODI #11362958

116,100 miles · Jan 1, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING MY 2015 MAZDA CX-9 ON A VERY BUSY INTERSTATE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DRIVER PANEL. I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY VERY YOUNG CHILDREN, AGES 4 AND 20 MONTHS. APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES LATER, I STARTED HEARING A RATTLING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, MY CAR STALLED OUT AS I ENTERED MY SUBDIVISION.…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2015 MAZDA CX-9 ON A VERY BUSY INTERSTATE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DRIVER PANEL. I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY VERY YOUNG CHILDREN, AGES 4 AND 20 MONTHS. APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES LATER, I STARTED HEARING A RATTLING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, MY CAR STALLED OUT AS I ENTERED MY SUBDIVISION. MY HUSBAND HAD TO PUSH THE CAR TO OUR DRIVEWAY. I CALLED AAA THAT SAME DAY AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT SERVICES THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WAS QUOTED A PRICE TO FIX THE ISSUE. LATER, I WAS TOLD THAT AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE COOLANT MIXED WITH FLUIDS AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS QUOTED OVER $7000 TO COMPLETE THIS WORK. DURING THE COURSE OF MY RESEARCH, I HAVE LEARNED THAT A LOT OF MAZDA CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE THIS MODEL VEHICLE EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE QUITE FREQUENTLY. I CALLED MAZDA CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD THAT MAZDA IS NOT ELECTING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ABLE TO ARRIVE TO MY SUBDIVISION WITHOUT INJURING MY CHILDREN OR SELF, BUT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF LIVES IF NOT CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ODI #11292498

83,183 miles · Dec 17, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

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. …

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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 REFERENCE NUMBER: 1-2464193497. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,183.

NHTSA ODI #11289680

7,800 miles · Mar 8, 2016
EngineSteering

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 …

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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 STEERING WHEEL IS SHAKING DRIVING AT 55 MPH OR HIGHER ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE LIGHTLY BREAKING AT THAT SPEED. WE LEFT THE CAR FOR A DAY AT THEIR SERVICE THINKING THAT THEY WI ADDRESS TO THOSE PROBLEM. BUT WHEN WE PICK UP THE CAR NONE OF MY CONCERNS. HAD BEEN RESOLVE. SO WE BROUGHT THE CAR HOME BECAUSE IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT AND THEIR SERVICE TECHNICIANS ARE ALL GONE FOR THE DAY. BUT UPON ARRIVING AT THE HOUSE TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL I NOTICE A BIG SCRATCH ON THE HOOD I WAS AGGRAVATED AT THAT MOMENT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T DO A THING TO MY CONCERNS AND NOW THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL SEE. BY THE WAY WE HAVE A BLACK CX-9 AND YOU CAN EASILY SPOT A SCRACT IF THERE IS ONE. BUT THAT'S NOT THE MOST FRUSTRATING PART OF IT. BECAUSE WHEN I WENT UNDERNEATH THE CAR TO CHECK THE OIL FILTER. I NOTICED THAT THE FILTER WAS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MOTOR AND THERES NO WAY THAT IF LEAKS HAPPEN ON THAT SPOT THAT IT WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT SIDE OF THE MOTOR NEAR THE PULLEYS WHERE MY PREVIOUS OIL LEAKED COMPLAINT WAS. I THINK THEY WERE TRYING TO HIDE TO AVOID WARRANTY REPAIR ON IT. SO I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE AND MY WIFE BROUGHT IT OVER THERE. WHEN THEY GOT CORNERED ABOUT THE PROBLEM I GUESS THEY DON'T HAVE A CHOICE BUT TO WORK ON IT. IT WAS A BAD POWER STEERING PUMP AND THEY WILL REPLACE IT

NHTSA ODI #10845656

Official recalls

2

18V717000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Oct 12, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: 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.

16V203000 · Steering

Apr 11, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.