← New search

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.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all CX-9 years →

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

Forward Collision Avoidance complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2025
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

I am submitting this recall request because my vehicle has experienced repeated incidents of a serious safety issue. While driving—most often on the highway—a warning appears that says “Smart System Brake Malfunction.” Immediately after, the car begins braking on its own without driver input. This has happened multiple times an…

Read full complaint

I am submitting this recall request because my vehicle has experienced repeated incidents of a serious safety issue. While driving—most often on the highway—a warning appears that says “Smart System Brake Malfunction.” Immediately after, the car begins braking on its own without driver input. This has happened multiple times and, based on online reports, it appears to be affecting many Mazda vehicles across different models and years. Each time, I have been forced to pull over, turn off the car, and restart it to temporarily resolve the issue. This is extremely dangerous, especially at highway speeds, as it creates a high risk of rear-end collisions and sudden loss of vehicle control. When reported to Mazda, the concern was dismissed as a “sensor issue,” but the repeated nature and widespread reports suggest a potential systemic defect that requires urgent investigation and recall.

NHTSA ODI #11682407

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2025
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesUnknown Or Other

1. The navigation has a frosted crackle appearance framing the screen. It is difficult to read the navigation when needed. I know this has happened to other models of this vehicle and those were recalled and covered. 2. The brake senor keeps going off stating "SMART BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". This goes off repeatedly while…

Read full complaint

1. The navigation has a frosted crackle appearance framing the screen. It is difficult to read the navigation when needed. I know this has happened to other models of this vehicle and those were recalled and covered. 2. The brake senor keeps going off stating "SMART BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". This goes off repeatedly while driving. 3. Then a second message pops up and reads "FRONT RADAR SENSOR SYSTEM MALFUNTION".

NHTSA ODI #11654693

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2022
Exterior LightingForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

I keep getting a automatic emergency braking malfunction alert

NHTSA ODI #11496403

946 miles · Dec 8, 2017
Forward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or Other

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…

Read full complaint

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 SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT OLYMPIA LINCOLN /MAZDA(AND PUYALLUP MILAM MAZDA) REFUSED TO REPAIR IT THEY STATED AND SHOWED ME A PRINT OUT FROM MAZDA FACTORY THAT FORBIDS REAL TIME TESTING AND STATED THAT IF THE TROUBLE LIGHT IS NOT ON THEY AREN'T ALLOWED TO REPAIR OR REAL TIME TEST IT. I THINK THAT THE FACTORY IS AFRAID OF DEALING WITH A MASSIVE SAFETY RECALL. TO COMPOUND THINGS THE ACTIVE LIVE TRAFFIC DISPLAY DOESN'T WORK EITHER WHICH MAKES MATTERS WORSE SINCE I CAN'T SEE WHERE AN ACCIDENT HAS OCCURS IN REAL TIME. I UNDERSTAND ITS DEFECTIVE IN MOST MAZDAS WITH NAVIGATION IN 2016 AND BEYOND. THE IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT STARTING TO BE FILED ABOUT THIS. *BF CONSUMER STATED REGARDING DEFECTIVE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM ON 2018 MAZDA CX-9. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK AFTER FILING THIS COMPLAINT 2 MONTHS AGO. UPDATED 8/24/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11053492

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.