VehicleVerdict

2013 Mazda CX-9 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2013 Mazda CX-9 sits mid-pack among CX-9 years: 80 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 78, with 4 recalls and 2 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (17), brakes (16), and other (10), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

80

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other CX-9 years?

See all CX-9 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Mazda CX-9 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1721%
Brakes1620%
Other1013%
Airbags911%
Suspension911%
Transmission56%
Body & Structure45%
Visibility & Wipers23%
Driver Assistance23%
Seat Belts23%
Seats11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Lighting11%
Electrical System11%

Does the 2013 Mazda CX-9 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V717000AirbagsOctober 12, 2018 · 155,436 units

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 states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

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.

18V018000AirbagsJanuary 9, 2018 · 70,227 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2013 Mazda6 and 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 2010 Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 Mazda6, CX-7, and CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

16V203000SteeringApril 11, 2016 · 578 units

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 knuckle to separate.

Consequence

If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

15V451000SuspensionJuly 20, 2015 · 193,484 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 CX-9 vehicles manufactured October 24, 2006, to December 28, 2013. The affected vehicles have front suspension ball joints that may corrode from water leaking into the fitting.

Consequence

Over time, the ball joint corrosion may result in the front lower control arm separating from the ball joint, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both the left and right lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. The recall will begin with model year 2007-2009 vehicles registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The second phase will be for model year 2010-2014 vehicles in the same states. Finally, all remaining vehicles will be remedied. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 8515G.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BREAKING SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD GONE ON A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR HAD THIS INCIDENT. WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE ON THE BRAKE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE THEY TOLD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 7, 2021

A TRUCK SWERVED INTO MY LANE AND I TRIED TO BRAKE. THE PEDAL DIDN'T IMMEDIATELY DEPRESS SO I HAD TO SERVE. JUMPED A CURB AND HIT A SIGN. MORE THAN $11,000 OF DAMAGE. THE BRAKE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS QUICKLY.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 29, 2016 · crash

I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME THAT COULD HAVE THROWN A ROCK MY WAY. IT JUST SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING LANDED ON THE TOP OF MY CAR AND THEN I SAW GLASS FLYING OFF MY CAR FROM REARVIEW MIRROR WHEN I REALIZED IT WAS MY SUNROOF!! SCARY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 5, 2017

LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE COMING DOWN A RAMP IN A PARKING GARAGE, CAUSING ME TO STRIKE POLE IN GARAGE, OR WOULD HAVE CAREENED OVER 6TH FL RAILING DOWN 6 STORIES TO STREET. VEHICLE IN MOTION.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 8, 2015 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V451000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · September 1, 2015

2013 Mazda CX-9 — common questions

Is the 2013 Mazda CX-9 reliable?

It is close to typical for the CX-9: 80 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2013 CX-9 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (17 complaints), brakes (16 complaints), other (10 complaints).

Does the 2013 Mazda CX-9 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Mazda CX-9. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 Mazda CX-9 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mazda CX-9 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CX-9 years to avoid are 2012, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2018, 2016, 2007. The cleanest record among CX-9 years belongs to 2022.

How safe is the 2013 Mazda CX-9?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Mazda CX-9 earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.