Last updated: 2026-10-10

2020 Mazda CX-9 Reliability Report
The 2020 Mazda CX-9 rates good for reliability, but owners report coolant leaks at the cylinder head and sudden loss of power.
Recalls
1
Complaints
19
Complaint Rate
6.9per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$539
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,500–$2,600
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Middle of the pack among CX-9 years, with light complaints but cylinder head coolant leaks and sudden electrical faults worth checking.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)
- ENGINE (3)
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2020 is year 5 of the Second generation (TC; 2016).
- Redesigned for the 2016 model year.
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- 2nd generation CX-9 (US).
What this means for buyers
Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.
2016: Second generation (TC; 2016) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2020: This Model Year
2020 is year 5 of the Second generation (TC; 2016).
Should You Buy the 2020 Mazda CX-9?
Yes, with a few checks. Owner reliability for this year is good and well above other 2020 SUVs, though it lands in the middle of the six scored CX-9 years. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at $539 for the model, against $784 for its class, and it earned 5 of 5 federal crash-test stars. The 2019 rates worse, and the 2021 rates about the same.
Problems are few but can be serious. Electrical faults bring smart brake and front radar warnings at highway speed, and the car then refuses to accelerate until a full restart. Other owners lost all power while moving. Coolant leaks at the cylinder head cause overheating and limp mode, and owners say Mazda turned down goodwill requests. One federal recall covers seats and seat belts. A recurring fuel cap light became a leaking charcoal canister at about 14,000 miles, a $680 repair the dealer said warranty did not cover.
Ask the seller for proof the seat and seat belt recall was completed. Look through service records for coolant top-offs, overheating, or repeated warning lights.
Compared to the 2021 Mazda CX-9, which scored 1 points lower. See also the 2019 Mazda CX-9 for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +$245 cheaper to maintain than avg midsize SUV
- +Low major repair risk (10%)
- +Low recall count
Cons
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues reported (4 complaints)
- −ENGINE issues reported (3 complaints)
Compare 2020 Mazda CX-9 With

2020 Toyota Highlander
Reliability: 71/100

2020 Honda Pilot
Reliability: 60/100

2020 Hyundai Palisade
Reliability: 59/100

2020 Kia Telluride
Reliability: 55/100

2020 Chevrolet Traverse
Reliability: 62/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 1 manufacturer recall issued
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)
- ENGINE (3)
Recall Overview
1
recall on record
The 2020 Mazda CX-9 carries 1 recall — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
6.9
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 20.2
Safety Incidents
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2020 Mazda CX-9 Recall Details
1 recall has been issued for the 2020 Mazda CX-9. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
SEATS, SEAT BELTS
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CX-9 vehicles equipped with 60/40 split bench second-row seats. The left-side second-row seat may unexpectedly slide forward during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Consequence
A seat that slides forward during a crash can transfer excessive force onto a belted occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the internal parts of the affected second-row seats, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5221I.
Buying a used 2020 Mazda CX-9? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2020 Mazda CX-9, and 1 recall was issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2020 Mazda CX-9 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 15.1%
Safety Technologies
Mazda CX-9Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$539
vs $784 avg for midsize SUV
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.6
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
10%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
23–24 MPG
Running cost: $3,050–$3,150/yr
Fuel + repair
20–22 city / 26–28 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2020 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-9 2WD 2.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,500 |
| CX-9 4WD 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 20 | 26 | 23 | $2,600 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2020 Mazda CX-9.
Drive at highway speed on a sunny day and watch for smart brake or front radar malfunction warnings.
Inspect the center information screen closely for spider cracks or cloudy, hard-to-read areas.
Check the coolant level and look for leaks or residue around the exhaust manifold and cylinder head.
Start the engine cold and watch for white exhaust smoke at startup.
Pull the dipstick and ask the owner how often they add oil between changes.
Idle at stop signs and feel for jerking or vibration, and check that no fuel cap warning is lit.
Scan for stored trouble codes, especially lean codes, before buying.
Accelerate firmly from low speed and note any sputtering, hesitation, or failure to build speed.
2020 Mazda CX-9 Common Problems by Component
19 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4 complaintsWarnings for the smart brake, smart city brake, and front radar systems appear without warning at highway speed, and the car then won't accelerate. Drivers have to pull over, and a full shutdown and restart clears the fault. Separate reports describe the whole electrical system going dead while moving, which leaves no lights, signals, gauges, or radio and lets the car coast to a stop in traffic. The information screen can also develop spreading spider cracks and turn opaque. Dealers quoted $1000 to $3000 for that repair.
ENGINE
3 complaintsCoolant leaks at the cylinder head near the exhaust manifold lead to overheating and limp mode, which holds the car to around 30 mph. Owners say Mazda turned down goodwill requests for this repair. Excessive oil consumption also shows up, with a quart needed in under 3000 miles. One report describes the engine revving on its own at a red light while the driver was braking. That is a loss-of-control risk, though the driver stopped safely by braking harder and shifting to neutral.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 complaintsRough running and sputtering get worse until the car won't go faster than 20 mph. In some cases it stops completely in the middle of the road, and every warning light comes on. The engine feels starved for fuel. Repair shops replaced a fuel injector and then a throttle body to address it. Other reports blame a faulty fuel pump that sets lean codes. Losing power in traffic is the main safety concern in this group.
POWER TRAIN (2 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
2 complaintsA fuel cap warning light that keeps coming back can turn into jerking and vibration at stop signs. In one case the dealer traced this to a leaking charcoal canister at about 14,000 miles and said it was not covered by warranty. That repair cost $680. Overheating also appears here, with a reduced-power message repeating every few minutes and white smoke at startup. Topping off the coolant doesn't fix it, and mechanics suspect a coolant leak at the cylinder head.
AIR BAGS (1 complaints)
AIR BAGS
1 complaintSafety-relatedThe contact owned a 2020 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, a second vehicle crashed head-on into the front of the vehicle. During the head-on crash, no air bags inside the vehicle deployed. The contact sustained a concussion and right eye injury and later received medical attention. A Police report was filed at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a local storage facility. No information was available concerning the second vehicle's occupants. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 130,000.
BACK OVER PREVENTION (1 complaints)
BACK OVER PREVENTION
1 complaintWarning signal front camera sensor system malfunction Forward Smart City Brake Support malfunction When this initial happen the steering wheel becomes hard to maneuver than releases The front and back cameras are clear from any debris or obstructions What should I do next?
TIRES (1 complaints)
TIRES
1 complaintAll 4 of my BH255/50R20 XL 109v NOKIAN WR G4 vehicle tires are exhibiting abnormal tread degradation and excessive sidewall cracking. The tire defect includes a circumferential crack along the top of all 4 tires, where the top of the tire's sidewall and tread base meet. Upon tire inspection, the structural integrity and safety of these tires with continued usage is questionable. The tires in question are only 26 months old and have approximately 31K miles of usage.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaintThe vehicle will hesitate/stall while driving down the road. The vehicle has done this multiple times and has actually shut off on 2 different occasions while at a stop. on 2 occasions now the vehicle has not wanted to start. I have taken vehicle to Mazda dealership and they can never duplicate it. When they check for any codes, the vehicle computer does not give accurate times when happened. This last date I took it to them 6/9/25, the computer said it happened 4000 miles ago. The time before, I took it in the morning it happened, 5 min after it happened and the computer said it happened 10 starts ago. The last time, 6/9/25 they said they suspect fuel pump going bad, but until the vehicle gives a "check engine" light or dies all together they are not 100% sure. The vehicle is unsafe if it dies in the middle of the freeway/road with no warning to myself or the other vehicles around me. This has been going on for at least 1 year now, maybe longer Dealership has all records. Seeing how the 2018 & 2019 Mazda CX-9 had fuel pump recalls makes me wonder if the 2020 should have been included in this recall. This has been an on going problem.6/7/25 was most recent incident.
SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaintI've had it repaired for over 30+ times. I'm tired of the car not being fixed. The last visit I was told maybe its the way I drive.
VISIBILITY/WIPER (1 complaints)
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaintWhile driving at freeway speed in Oregon, with 85 degrees ambient temperature and A/C inside set to 74 degrees, our CX-9 sunroof exploded outward. The sound was close to a very loud pop, and not the sound of rock/debris impact. At the time of explosion, there were no vehicles nearby and no overpasses from which an object could have dropped. The vehicle had been washed the day before and there was no visible damage to the sunroof. At the time of explosion, the sunroof and interior cover were closed. Upon stopping the vehicle (within less than one mile) inspection showed that nearly no glass fell downward, and approximately 50% of the total sunroof area had blown upward and out of the vehicle. The remainder of the shattered glass was still contained within the frame, with the edges visibly curved upward as though the glass had been pulled away from the car. There were three people in the vehicle at the time (driver, front seat passenger, and middle row passenger behind the driver). The two passengers were asleep and woke abruptly thinking we had been hit by something, as the explosive bang was followed by the sound of air rushing past the hole. There was no sound of glass rattling in the area over the sunroof cover, which seems to indicate glass had not broken inward and then blew out before stopping. I (driver) kept the cover closed and promptly pulled off the freeway to assess damage. I was unable to visit a dealer for warranty assessment due to vacation travel. A phone call to my local dealer did indicate it should be covered under warranty but it has not been inspected, this has not yet been confirmed. I rarely open the sunroof cover and have only opened the sunroof itself 3-4 times since purchase two years prior (2020). I did open the sunroof to give my son fresh air on curvy roads approximately one hour prior. No injuries, but if the cover had been opened we may have had glass falling into the cabin. No other visible or audible warnings occurred.
Best & Worst Mazda CX-9 Years
Best Mazda CX-9 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2023
2022
2020
(Current Model)
Mazda CX-9 Years to Avoid
Mazda CX-9 Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| 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 |
Mazda CX-9 Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2020 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Mazda CX-9?
Does the 2020 Mazda CX-9 have overheating problems?
Does the 2020 Mazda CX-9 have any recalls?
Is the 2020 Mazda CX-9 better than the 2019 or 2021?
Don’t buy a 2020 Mazda CX-9 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2020 Mazda CX-9
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2020 Mazda CX-9 does best on recall impact (88/100) and worst on complaint severity (70/100). 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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