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2018 Mazda CX-9

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most CX-9 years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Mazda CX-9 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 61.

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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

Limited mileage data: 15 of 127 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine complaints

75 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2023
Engine

We noticed a coolant leak and took vehicle in for service. Told that engine has a Coolant Leak at Cylinder Head [XXX] . 5 year old vehicle, 56k miles. No other warnings. All maintenance has been previously performed as required. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11551210

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2023
Engine

As I was driving 26 mile trip to work I noticed a red light illuminated on dash indicating the temp was about 240-260. I pulled into the parking lot immediately turned car off. After work (8 hour shift) drove home temp stayed at 200-210. The next morning I took it to the mechanic I’ve used for years. He did a visual detailed ins…

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As I was driving 26 mile trip to work I noticed a red light illuminated on dash indicating the temp was about 240-260. I pulled into the parking lot immediately turned car off. After work (8 hour shift) drove home temp stayed at 200-210. The next morning I took it to the mechanic I’ve used for years. He did a visual detailed inspection finding that the water or antifreeze in the radiator was low. The antifreeze in the over flow tank was about an inch or so above the “L” line. He said there may have been an air pocket in it, a leak, water pump or thermostat going out. Watch the fluid levels daily, if the lower again take it to the dealership where I purchased it (4 months ago with 106K miles on it). I do have a 3 year or 30,000 mile warranty through the dealership. 4 days later I was very observant watching the temperature gauge. It went up to 240 briefly, so I got home and had my ex-husband check it. Both the radiator and the overflow tank were bone dry. Topped off radiator with antifreeze and the overflow tank to the “F” line. Car had cooled and right before topping fluid started. There is no noticeable sign of a leak (smell, white smoke from exhaust, visible puddles of anything on the motor or the ground where I’ve parked. Today is Thursday 10/12 and I can’t get an appointment with dealership until Tuesday. I’ve been reading a lot online about this being a very repetitive issue. In some cases new engine replacement required. Mazda is well aware of not a few but NUMEROUS issues and complaints, a recall is needed for this situation. Right is right and fair is fair!!

NHTSA ODI #11549523

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2023
EnginePower Train

Went in to the mechanic to get a regular oil change and noticed a liquid slushing sound after starting the car up. Was informed that there is a major coolant leak somewhere in the car. Took it to Mazda dealership right away who confirmed that it is a cracked cylinder head. I got lucky that the car did not overheat on the road …

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Went in to the mechanic to get a regular oil change and noticed a liquid slushing sound after starting the car up. Was informed that there is a major coolant leak somewhere in the car. Took it to Mazda dealership right away who confirmed that it is a cracked cylinder head. I got lucky that the car did not overheat on the road and happened to catch it in the nick of time. No check engine lights or low coolant lights came on at all.

NHTSA ODI #11549216

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2023
Engine

Coolant leak not from radiator but from the engine

NHTSA ODI #11547442

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2023
Engine

Car started idling rough and losing power at 135000 miles. Then started to overheat. Mechanic noticed coolant was low and added some. Problem continued to get worse and now engine won’t turn over. Mechanic said it was a cracked head leaking coolant into engine and it’s a known problem with the CX-9.

NHTSA ODI #11546083

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2023
Engine

Just noticed coolant leak during oil change. Vehicle has 77,000 miles. Power train warranty is only to 60K. The vehicle is undriveable without major engine work or engine replacement.

NHTSA ODI #11545262

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2023
Engine

The cylinder head cracked and leaked engine coolant at 72K miles. This is a known design flaw IAW TSB 01-007/22. Vehicle overheated.

NHTSA ODI #11542796

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2023
Engine

Coolant leak from casting defect. Common issue.

NHTSA ODI #11541779

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2023
Engine

I noticed my 2018 mazda cx9 Sweet smell coming out of the engine.. When we were driving, a memo came up on my car screen and says please turn off vehicle as soon as possible, overheating. I was Scared That my car could have stopped in the middle of the freeway with my kids in it. My current was low. My engine was really hot and …

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I noticed my 2018 mazda cx9 Sweet smell coming out of the engine.. When we were driving, a memo came up on my car screen and says please turn off vehicle as soon as possible, overheating. I was Scared That my car could have stopped in the middle of the freeway with my kids in it. My current was low. My engine was really hot and so we took it in to Mazda dealer. They diagnosed my car, and they said it had a cracked cylinder head by the exhaust manifold and because of that, it overheated my engine. This is a manufacturer problem. And it could have harmed my family. Mazda now doesn't wants to help me fix my this car, even when admitting they are fully aware of it. This happening on a freeway would have caused a major accident. There are Technical service bulletin on this case but people are Still in danger.

NHTSA ODI #11541476

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2023
Engine

The vehicle started leaking coolant, I had it towed to dealer to prevent further damage. They said it has a cracked head, which is a known issue with the 2016-2019 Mazda's, and is acknowledged by Mazda to be their fault. They have posted on a service bulletin that it was caused by added stress during manufacturing. Like many oth…

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The vehicle started leaking coolant, I had it towed to dealer to prevent further damage. They said it has a cracked head, which is a known issue with the 2016-2019 Mazda's, and is acknowledged by Mazda to be their fault. They have posted on a service bulletin that it was caused by added stress during manufacturing. Like many others, they want me to pay over 8k dollars for the repair. This is ridiculous as Mazda has stated that it is their fault.

NHTSA ODI #11541472

Official recalls

2

21V875000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 12, 2021

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.

19V403000 · Electrical System:wiring

May 30, 2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 CX-9 vehicles. The wiring harness may disrupt electrical communications and disable the passenger frontal air bag, turn signals, and/or engine starting system.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The passenger frontal air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury. Inoperable turn signals prevent the driver from signaling to other drivers, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3419E.

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.