Last updated: 2026-07-25

2022 Mazda CX-9 Reliability Report
The 2022 Mazda CX-9 scores 81/100 ("Excellent") with a complaint rate below the segment average. Data shows a dependable ownership experience across 0 recalls and 9 owner complaints.
Recalls
0
Complaints
9
Complaint Rate
2.7per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$539
Annual Fuel Cost
$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
Strong reliability record — a solid choice for buyers.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)
- STRUCTURE (2)
- VISIBILITY/WIPER (1)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2022 is year 7 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.
2022: This Model Year
2022 is year 7 of the Second generation (TC; 2016).
Should You Buy the 2022 Mazda CX-9?
The 2022 Mazda CX-9 earns an Excellent 81/100 reliability score. 2022 is year 7 of the Second generation (TC; 2016).
At 2.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold, its complaint rate sits below the SUV segment average, and most owners report a trouble-free ownership experience.
A solid choice for buyers prioritizing dependability, new or used.
Compared to the 2023 Mazda CX-9, which scored the same. See also the 2021 Mazda CX-9 for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Strong reliability score
- +$245 cheaper to maintain than avg midsize SUV
- +Low major repair risk (10%)
- +No recalls issued
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Owners of the 2022 Mazda CX-9 report issues with the seat warmer system,... (2 complaints)
- −Loose windshield header bolts reported at 44,000–53,000 miles
Compare 2022 Mazda CX-9 With

2022 Toyota Highlander
Reliability: 74/100

2022 Hyundai Palisade
Reliability: 65/100

2022 Honda Pilot
Reliability: 72/100

2022 KIA Telluride
Reliability: 63/100

2022 Volkswagen Atlas
Reliability: 50/100
Common Problem Categories
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)
- STRUCTURE (2)
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
No recalls are on record for the 2022 Mazda CX-9 — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
2.7
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 13.5
Safety Incidents
1
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
Buying a used 2022 Mazda CX-9? Check its history first
Every 2022 Mazda CX-9 has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2022 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 MPG
Running cost: $3,150/yr
Fuel + repair
20 city / 26 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 2022 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 2022 Mazda CX-9.
Inspect windshield header and cowl panel for loose bolts
Check front bumper for cracks near combination light
Test seat warmers for excessive heat output
Verify proper operation of windshield wiper sprayers in cold conditions
Test adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning systems
2022 Mazda CX-9 Common Problems by Component
9 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 complaintsOwners of the 2022 Mazda CX-9 report issues with the seat warmer system, specifically at high heat settings. One complaint details an incident where the seat warmer caused first-degree burns and blistering on the driver's legs after prolonged use, despite wearing pants. This issue occurred at approximately 53,000 miles, and the dealership was unable to replicate the problem or provide information on the seat warmer's maximum temperature. Another complaint involves a vehicle being struck by lightning, though details on specific electrical system failures resulting from this event are not provided. Potential buyers should be aware of the reported injury related to the seat warmer and consider inspecting this feature during a test drive.
STRUCTURE
2 complaintsOwners of the 2022 Mazda CX-9 report issues with loose windshield header bolts and cowl panel fasteners, often discovered around 44,000 miles. These loose components potentially lead to windshield instability and increased noise or vibration at highway speeds, with some owners noting the problem has been observed in multiple vehicles. Additionally, another complaint involves cracks forming near the front bumper's combination light, which appears similar to issues previously documented in older models, despite the vehicle not being within the specified VIN range of the related technical service bulletin. These structural concerns, particularly the potential for windshield instability and compromised bumper integrity, may pose safety risks, especially at higher speeds or in adverse conditions. Buyers should be aware of these reported issues when considering a used 2022 CX-9, particularly if the vehicle has higher mileage.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaintThe windshield wiper sprayers don't work properly when it gets significantly below freezing. This is incredibly dangerous on highways where it snows and the roads are salted, allowing for the snow to be thrown up as mud. This ends up in the windshield wipers just spreading mud all over the windshield and reducing visibility to near 0. Having this occur while driving at lower highway speeds makes this incredibly dangerous. Having to pull over on the highway when it's snowing isn't great, especially when some mountain highways have concrete walls with no shoulder. Using fluid that is rated for below freezing also causes this to freeze, suggesting that it may be related to wind chill while traveling at speed. It's also definitely not an issue with the overall system or the fluid because the rear windshield wipers still work. This is probably due to the way they designed this to move the emitters off the hood. A search for the term, "mazda cx-9 windshield wiper frozen", shows many such reports online. Some have complained to Mazda only to have this ignored by them. There were on indicators in the vehicle to show that that was a potential problem.
SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaintSafety-relatedMy wife has a cold. She picked it up during several uncomfortable hours in the emergency room. Our driveway is on a bit of a slope. She stopped the car, put it in park (she thought), turned off the engine, and got out. Something in the dashboard compartment had blocked the shift lever and the car was actually in reverse. It started rolling backwards down the driveway. She grabbed it and tugged with all her might and actually succeeded in stopping it when it got to the street. She managed to prevent our car from rolling into our neighbor's parallel parked car immediately across from our driveway. She also managed to hurt her arm quite badly. X-rays and CAT scans and exposure to every sniffling, coughing person in the ER later, and we learned she was lucky and did not break any bones, just sprained her elbow and shoulder. Very very lucky that she didn't get knocked under the wheel by the still open door of the car! My question is this: Can automakers create a safety device to prevent this? If the engine is off and the car is not in park, and no driver is detected in the driver's seat, can they automatically apply the brake? There could be a button or switch to undo the brake for towing. It seems the technology to do this has been around for decades, but the X-ray tech, the ER admissions nurse, my wife's orthopedist, even the lady at our insurance company all had stories of similar happenings. How can such a safety device become standard?
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaintWhen driving with adaptive cruise control engaged I have had multiple incidents where the forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking engages when there is no vehicle in front of me. Similarly, with adaptive cruise control engaged and approaching a red light, I have had multiple incidents where the cruise control does not sense the stopped cars and does not automatically engage the brakes
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1 complaints)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 complaint1.Instrument cluster panel brightness does not adjust either too dim or too bright Mazda dealer stated no failures were found twice same responded. 2. Lane Keep Assist this feature never worked even on the straight road since I bought July 2022. Mazda doesn't have a capability and mislead the consumers. I found a some report by [XXX] that said Mazda i-ACTIVSENSE received an overall score of 27/100 making it the worst ranked tech in the study. I went dealership service 3 times for repair, but its answers no fault code found no problem at all that they repeated repeated repeated Please investigated this cx-9, Thank You! INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
POWER TRAIN (1 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
1 complaintConcern is still present. The vehicle vibrates the entire chassis at highway speeds. Mazda states it’s normal but it may vibrate other components loose which could cause an accident. The issue is in the drivetrain
When Do 2022 Mazda CX-9 Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Mazda CX-9 Years
Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.
Best Mazda CX-9 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe best Mazda CX-9 year is 2023 with a reliability score of 81/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2022 (81/100) and 2020 (78/100).
2023
2022
(Current Model)
2020
Mazda CX-9 Years to Avoid
The worst Mazda CX-9 year is 2018 with a score of 66/100, primarily due to engine (60) issues.
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. 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 2022 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Mazda CX-9?
How many recalls does the 2022 Mazda CX-9 have?
Is the 2022 Mazda CX-9 expensive to maintain?
Don’t buy a 2022 Mazda CX-9 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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