Last updated: 2026-10-10
Mazda CX-9 Reliability by Year
Reliability for the Mazda CX-9 rates good, but 2018 cars risk cracked cylinder heads and coolant leaks. The 2023 is the site pick.
Mazda CX-9 Reliability Overview
Used buyers get a solid SUV here, with one big exception: the 2018 model year. Cracked cylinder heads leak coolant, often with no warning light, and dealers usually quote a full engine replacement. Later years, especially 2022 and 2023, rate excellent, and independent repair-cost data puts yearly upkeep well below the midsize SUV average.
Current generation: 2nd gen (2016–2024).
Best & Worst Mazda CX-9 Years
Best Mazda CX-9 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2023 rates excellent and has no recalls in federal records. The 2018 has two recalls and far more owner complaints, led by cracked cylinder heads that leak coolant. The 2022 also rates excellent. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so check the 2023's brake and steering reports before buying.
Mazda CX-9 Years to Avoid
Engine trouble dominates, with 60 of 125 complaints. Cracked cylinder heads leak coolant, sometimes into the oil, and failures are reported from about 50,000 to 135,000 miles. Many owners saw no warning light first. Dealers usually quote a full engine replacement near $11,000, and owners say Mazda often refuses help past warranty.
Mazda CX-9 Reliability Score Trend
Mazda CX-9 reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 80/100 compared to 72/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 81/100 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 81/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2023 Mazda CX-9
0 recalls · 12 complaints
Excellent standing and no recalls, with a small set of steering and brake complaints that includes one crash report.
2022 Mazda CX-9
0 recalls · 9 complaints
Best of the six scored CX-9 years, with no recalls and far fewer complaints than 2021, though seat heater burns and loose fasteners were reported.
2021 Mazda CX-9
1 recalls · 35 complaints
Rated good and in the middle of the CX-9 years, with oil burning as the main complaint and one recall covering seats and seat belts.
2020 Mazda CX-9
1 recalls · 19 complaints
Middle of the pack among CX-9 years, with light complaints but cylinder head coolant leaks and sudden electrical faults worth checking.
2019 Mazda CX-9
2 recalls · 52 complaints
Rates good and beats most 2019 SUVs, yet ranks among the weaker CX-9 years because of coolant-leaking cylinder heads.
2018 Mazda CX-9
2 recalls · 125 complaints
The weakest scored CX-9 year, with 125 owner complaints led by cracked, coolant-leaking cylinder heads, while the 2019 rates better.
Found Your Mazda CX-9? Check Its History
Chest clip, buckle, harness (2) problems come up most in Mazda CX-9 owner complaints, and 6 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Mazda CX-9 Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
4/5
Annual Repair Cost
$539
Repair Frequency
0.6/yr
Major Repair Risk
10%
$245 below the midsize SUV average of $784/yr.
Ranked #1 of 14 among midsize SUV.
Mazda CX-9 Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Mazda Models
Compare all Mazda models by reliability
Compare Mazda CX-9 With Similar SUVs
The Mazda CX-9 competes with other midsize suvs such as Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Hyundai Palisade.
CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander
9 years tracked · 1892 complaints
CX-9 vs Honda Pilot
9 years tracked · 2382 complaints
CX-9 vs Hyundai Palisade
7 years tracked · 1908 complaints
CX-9 vs Kia Telluride
6 years tracked · 1600 complaints
CX-9 vs Chevrolet Traverse
9 years tracked · 1417 complaints
More Mazda CX-9 comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Mazda CX-9 reliable?
- Yes. The CX-9 has a good reliability standing and ranks above average among SUVs on this site. The weak spot is the engine in early cars, especially the 2018. Later model years, 2022 and 2023 in particular, rate excellent.
- What are the most common Mazda CX-9 problems?
- Engine trouble is the biggest. Cracked cylinder heads leak coolant, with 95 engine complaints across all years. Warning signs include coolant puddles, rough idle, stalling, and white smoke. Cracking infotainment screens are the next most common complaint, followed by coolant leaks reported under power train.
- What is the best year for the Mazda CX-9?
- The 2023 is the site pick. It rates excellent and has no recalls in federal records. The 2022 also rates excellent. Both are newer, so they have had less time to collect complaints than older years, and that gap is part of why they look good.
- How much does a Mazda CX-9 cost to maintain and repair?
- Independent repair-cost data estimates $539 a year, compared with $784 for the average midsize SUV. That figure covers typical upkeep. An engine failure from a cracked cylinder head is a different matter, with owners reporting dealer quotes near $11,000 for a replacement.
- Are there safety concerns with the Mazda CX-9?
- A few serious reports exist. One 2018 owner described a passenger seat heater that shorted and burned the seat. Brake complaints include an electronic parking brake tied to a crash and a car that slowed to a crawl without brake lights. These are individual owner reports, not widespread patterns.
How we score the Mazda CX-9
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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