This page covers 4 recalls, 68 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Mazda CX-9.
19 mpg combined
12.4 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Brakes and the engine are the two systems generating the most owner reports for the 2013 CX-9. On the brake side, owners frequently describe a loss of pedal firmness or the pedal going to the floor under normal stopping conditions, sometimes accompanied by a brake malfunction warning on the instrument cluster. Engine complaints center on unexpected stalling or sudden power loss, often with the check engine light appearing, and several owners describe extended cranking, startup rattles, and camshaft or crankshaft timing-related fault codes at higher mileages. A smaller cluster of airbag reports describes side curtain airbags deploying without a collision, typically without warning.
68
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Mazda CX-9 has 4 recalls, the most serious involving the front passenger airbag inflator, which can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
Two steering and suspension recalls affect the front end of the vehicle. The front lower ball joints can corrode when water works into the fitting, and over time that corrosion can cause the lower control arm to separate entirely, leaving the driver with no meaningful steering control. A separate recall covers the steering knuckle, which can detach from the strut assembly, again resulting in sudden loss of steering. Both failures can happen without warning and sharply raise the risk of a crash. There is also the airbag inflator concern noted above, which applies to vehicles registered in high-humidity states and territories including Florida, Texas, Hawaii, and several Gulf Coast states, where the conditions most likely to trigger an inflator rupture are common.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during a crash. This happens because the inflator's propellant degrades after years of exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace your passenger front air bag inflator with a new one at no cost.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to heat and humidity.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a new one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The lower mounting nuts and bolts connecting the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, potentially allowing the steering knuckle to separate.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the lower mounting bolts and nuts, replace any loose ones, and tighten them securely at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can leak into the front suspension ball joint fittings, causing them to corrode and potentially fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both the left and right lower control arms at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
