The Lemon Index2010 Mazda CX-9.
The 2010 Mazda CX-9 is worse than average by owner complaints: 38 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 120, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 17 to 18 mpg combined. The best Mazda CX-9 year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 195 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Mazda CX-9 year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 41K to 106K miles on the car (146 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- brakes complaints mostly came at 50K–100K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 42K–114K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 40K–108K miles
Recalls 6
- airbags 2019
These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 6 recalls
- airbags 2017
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
- suspension 2015
The affected vehicles have front suspension ball joints that may corrode from water leaking into the fitting.
- seats 2010
MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CX-9 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRICALLY HEATED FRONT SEATS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 279 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Clunk/bang noise during first forward movement after sitting
- All of the following:malfunction indicator light (mil) on.automatic transmission
- Some customers may report a slight clunk/bang/buzz noise or jolt from the front of the vehicle
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedInadvertent curtain air bag deployment2019–2021
- ClosedLower ball joint separation2015
- ClosedBrake booster failure2014
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Transfer case was first replaced in july 2012 with an oem part and now again 8 months later. Leaking gear oil, terrible smell coming into compartment of car and also had clunking sounds in front driver side axel.
2010 Mazda CX-9 owner · NHTSA complaint 10505508
More owner reports
Catastrophic brake failure. Brakes would not stop vehicle. Vehicle towed for repair.
NHTSA complaint 10514601
Quick answers
Is the 2010 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 120; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mazda CX-9 year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2010 Mazda CX-9 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (39%), transmission & drivetrain (18%) and speed control (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Mazda CX-9 have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Mazda CX-9 get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 Mazda CX-9 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 41,800 and 106,500 miles. The middle report was at 77,300 miles, from 146 complaints.
Does the 2010 Mazda CX-9 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 Mazda CX-9 cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Mazda CX-9 have?
3.7L 6-cyl.
What Mazda CX-9 year is better than the 2010?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2022 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works