The Lemon Index
2022Too new: partial score · still collecting complaints
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 17,451 in the U.S. in 2023 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 13 complaints in its first 3 years.
13 owner complaints, first 3 years 23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records. (12 owners named a engine repair bill; the middle one was $7,800.)
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mazda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 13 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
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.
Transmission problems in every Mazda CX-9 year →
Check engine light on? Codes owners of the Mazda CX-9 (2021–2025) name most: P0303 Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected · P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected. Look up any code →
What repairs cost
Repair bills owners named in their complaints to the government (NHTSA), 2016–2023 Mazda CX-9, in U.S. dollars.
- Engineone repair bill$6,200–$10,200middle $7,800 · 12 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 11538837, 11540718, 11583106
Not enough reports yet for a number: Electrical (3), Cooling (2), Suspension (1). We show a range once 5 owners name a bill.
Each range is the middle half of the bills owners wrote down (one repair, parts and labor as they said it), not a yearly or total cost. Owners who complain often had expensive repairs, so typical bills can be lower. Prices depend on the shop, the miles and where you live.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 27.8M views · 2016–2023 Mazda CX-9
Prices people quote
- Price when new$32,4009 videos▶ Hear it
Most-watched topics
- Gauges, lights & wiring370K views
2019 Mazda CX9 oil light resetBisimoto · 257K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical200K views
Mazda CX-9 Smart Key Fob Battery Replacement (2016 - 2019)FobBattery · 120K views · 2 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door137K views
Mazda CX-9 Cabin Air Filter Replacement in 2 minutes 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020Andrew Silver · 71K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service43K views
Oil Change Due Warning Won't Reset Issue Fix for Mazda CX9 CX5 CX30 2016 and other modelsTech & Life · 43K views
Before you buy, watch
Should you buy a 2023 Mazda CX-9 or wait for the 2024 CX-90?Raiti's Rides · 130K views
Mazda CX9 Buyers Guide (2016-2023) Avoid buying a CX-9 with reliability issues and common faultsThe Miles Driven · 79K views
2019 Mazda CX-9 Review - Three Rows of JoyTheStraightPipes · 801K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2023 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-9 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,800 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl.
Every Mazda CX-9 year. 2023 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 13 Mazda CX-9 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2023 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-cx-9/?y=2023" title="Mazda CX-9 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mazda-cx-9/2023/">Lemon Index</a> (2023 Mazda CX-9 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2023 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
We can't score it: only 17,451 were sold in the U.S. in 2023 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2023 Mazda CX-9 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (23%), steering (15%) and brakes (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2023 Mazda CX-9 have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Mazda CX-9 get?
23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2023 Mazda CX-9 safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2023 Mazda CX-9 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2023 Mazda CX-9 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2023 Mazda CX-9 have?
2.5L 4-cyl.
What Mazda CX-9 year is better than the 2023?
Nearby, the 2022 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2017 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner 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 years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works