This page covers 3 recalls, 54 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2014 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
Engine and brake complaints dominate what 2014 CX-9 owners report. On the engine side, water pump failure comes up repeatedly, with owners describing coolant mixing with oil and resulting damage significant enough to require engine replacement. Several owners note the failure arrives with little or no warning, no check engine light, no obvious symptoms, before the vehicle simply shuts down. A handful report the car dying at highway speed without prior indication. Brake complaints center on reduced stopping power, with owners describing a noticeably soft or unresponsive pedal that requires far more force than normal to slow the vehicle. Some of those reports mention an unusual noise accompanying the brake pedal effort. Powertrain complaints round out the top three reported categories, though owners in that group describe a range of drivability concerns including pulling or drifting while driving.
54
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
By System
The 2014 Mazda CX-9 has 3 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death to occupants.
Two steering and suspension recalls also affect this vehicle. The front steering knuckle can separate from the strut assembly, causing an immediate and complete loss of steering control. Separately from the knuckle issue, water can work its way into the front lower ball joints over time, causing them to corrode until the lower control arm pulls free entirely, which also results in a sudden loss of steering. Both failures raise the risk of a crash. The airbag recall is geographically limited to vehicles sold or registered in high-humidity states and territories, including Florida, Texas, California, Hawaii, and several others, as well as U.S. territories in the Pacific and Caribbean.
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 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.
