2015 Mazda Cx-9 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (12) · Service Brakes (3) · Power Train (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mazda Cx-9 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
20 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-10-12 · campaign 18V717000 · 155,436 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the s
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.
Steering 2016-04-11 · campaign 16V203000 · 578 vehicles
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckl
Risk: If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If the bolts are loose, they will be replaced and then correctly tightened, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9316D.
Service bulletins (246)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-09-11 · SA-041-26a · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
description if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical con
Engine 2026-06-19 · SA-041-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sa supersedes the previously issued sa(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red. sa-061/25 12/17/25 description if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by ask
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-21 · SA-029-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service alert supersedes the previously issued sa listed below: the changes are noted in red. sa-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 description mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. mazda recommends dealers follow the sch
Electrical System 2025-12-17 · SA-061-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical concern. below
Unknown Or Other 2025-12-10 · 07-004-25a · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
a musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (a/c) system is operating. it is most noticeable when the a/c is first turned on. this odor is the result of mold growth in the a/c evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the cooling
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-22 · SA-039/25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or low-e windows. this may be caused by the sun's reflection. if a structure's windows create enough of a curve, the concave glass can focus the sun's rays onto a small area and a
Showing the 6 most recent of 246 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-04-03 · Engine“my mazda has been serviced regularly, in fact my next oil change isn't for 2,000 more miles. i was driving when i heard this weird noise. i looked at the dash and the oil light was flashing and the temperature was over heating. i could also feel the vehicle getting sluggish. i pulled over on the interstate. all the lights were on by this time. i po…”
2024-08-14 · Power Train“we have a 2015 mazda cx-9 touring with all-wheel drive (awd). the issue that has been happening is a flashing check engine light (cel) indicator showing up in the gauge cluster. this issue originally started in october of 2023. i was on the highway doing at least 55 miles per hour (mph). before the light actually came on, i had already felt the veh…”
2024-05-30 · Unknown Or Other“2015 transmission problem mazda dealership unable to affect because transmissions are no longer made for my model…”
2024-02-01 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 124,000 mi“the contact owns a 2015 mazda cx9. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph, the vehicle shut off. the contact stated that the engine was overheating. the contact restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle stalled again. the vehicle continued to coast into a parking lot. there were no warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was tak…”
2023-09-14 · Engine“the issue is with the design of the water pump on this vehicle. from my understanding, this is a common issue with the 2015 mazda cx-9. what happens is once the water pump starts to fail due to the design, the vehicle starts to stall randomly which poses a safety issue to my family when driving. the vehicle was inspected by a dealership in the a…”
2023-04-14 · Unknown Or Other“my check engine light came on. thought it was the oil needing to be changed. oil was extra dark and muggy. also notice antifreeze low. fill up antifreeze and change oil. 2 wks later antifreeze back down low. check engine still on. got it diagnosed with auto scanner and says camshaft sensor. went to autoshop, mechanic says it's not cramshaft sensor …”
2023-02-16 · Engine“engine failed suddenly while driving on a busy street. no lights were on, no warnings. slight hum earlier that day, that was almost indistinguishable from the radio or other road noise. steering and brakes not responsive. had it towed to dealer who found that the water pump had failed which allowed coolant to leak into the oil. dealer mechanic …”
2023-01-27 · Engine“water pump failed and leaked coolant into oil. known issue by mazda but they have failed to warn consumers. repairs roughly 4000 dollars. luckily i caught before engine failed due to lubricant dilution from coolant. potentially a very dangerous flaw.…”
2022-07-09 · Exterior Lighting“ the wiring harness on the headlight for my mazda cx-9 has and continues to melt, causing the bulb to be useless. the only issue that will seem to correct this issue is installing new headlights. according to my research this is a problem that is common to mazda cx-9 vehicles. …”
2022-04-28 · Engine“2015 mazda cx-9 with 93k miles: while driving in traffic, check engine light suddenly came on, the car began to shudder as i heard a loud knocking noises coming from under the hood, and then a sudden loss of power while trying to navigate through a busy intersection while trying to make a left turn left myself in danger of almost being struck from…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.