2020 Mazda CX-9: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 19 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system.
Data updated weekly · 2 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Sep 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The mazda Cx-9 is having the same fuel pump issues that was recalled up until 2018 models. The issue with the lean codes and faulty fuel pump continues”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2026
“The 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2026
“Warning 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?”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Mar 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“All 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.”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2026
“I'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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2025
“The vehicle was overheating and a message came up that power will be reduced. Then it would go away and come up every 3 minutes while driving. I brought it to the service center, we filled it up with coolant and the issue kept coming back this time with a lot of white smoke coming out at vehicle start up. My mechanic said this is a bigger issue most likely to do with a coolant leak at the cylinder head. There is a technical service bulletin but no recall as of yet.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2025
“The information screen is getting 'spider cracks" spreading across the face and turning opaque making the information unreadable. Mazda is apparently aware of this defect and issued a TSB for earlier models. Dealers were unhelpful and quoted $1000 - $3000 to repair depending on the VIN.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2025
“Some vehicles may have coolant leaks at the cylinder head around the exhaust manifold. There may be cracks at the stud bolt hole or at the outside of the exhaust manifold - from Mazda's TSB. Excessive coolant leak leading to engine-overheating and going into 'limp mode' couldn't drive faster than around 30 mph. Mazda has repeatedly declined help with goodwill requests and any further assistance. ref. https: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2023
“We were on the freeway and all of a sudden it stopped accelerating and the engine light, sensor light, and sensor warning came on. We could not accelerate, that became disabled and we had to pull over. My husband said our fluid levels were normal and he checked them all in the shoulder of the freeway. We turned the vehicle off then on again and all lights went away and we continued on. This is a safety hazard because the car would not accelerate while we were going 60 mph on the freeway. I quickly took a picture of the dash as this was happening so I can take it to the dealer.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2023
“On 10/12/2021 we were driving on and urban street when the vehicle infront of us signaled and initiated a right hand turn. At that point were we traveling approximately 20 mph, and we were driving with active cruise disengaged. When we were around 150 feet behind the vehicle taking a right when our CX-9 falsely engaged the emergency braking. Our car with our whole family in it locked up the brakes and stopped in 80 feet short of the car taking a right. The vehicle behind us only managed to stop 10 feet short of hitting us in the rear. It is in the 4 people in our vehicles opinion that this operation was both terrifying and dangerous to use and those following.”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Sep 2021
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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."
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2020 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact CX-9 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
NHTSA has 19 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2020 Mazda CX-9. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 2020 Mazda CX-9 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning seats:mid/rear assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.