Head-to-head reliability
Mazda CX 5 vs Mazda CX 9
How the Mazda CX 5 and Mazda CX 9 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Mazda CX-5 vs Mazda CX-9: The CX-5 has 988 complaints over 10 years (98.8/yr) and 6 recalls, while the CX-9 has 506 complaints (50.6/yr) and 11 recalls. The CX-5 shows more frequent engine and electrical issues, while the CX-9 has more severe engine failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda CX 5 or Mazda CX 9 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda CX 5
The Mazda CX-5, with nearly 1,000 complaints over a decade, shows a high rate of owner-reported issues, especially in the engine and electrical systems. Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration, oil leaks from the timing cover, and infotainment glitches, which can be concerning for safety and reliability. Despite this, it has fewer recalls than the CX-9, but the frequency of complaints suggests a need for careful inspection before purchase.
Mazda CX 9
The Mazda CX-9 has about half the complaints per year as the CX-5, but it has more recalls, indicating a different set of issues. Owners report engine problems like water pump failures leading to coolant leaks and engine shutdowns, as well as electrical gremlins with the parking brake and seat warmers. The higher recall count suggests that some issues have been officially recognized, but the severity of engine failures is a major concern for buyers.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda CX 5 | Mazda CX 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 988 | 506 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 11 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 52 | 22 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 98.8 | 50.6 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 34 | 15 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Mazda CX 5
- 01ENGINE369
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER176
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM161
- 04POWER TRAIN96
- 05SERVICE BRAKES80
Owners report sudden unintended acceleration and oil leaks from the timing cover, which could lead to fire hazards. These are serious safety concerns that require immediate attention.
The Connectivity Master Unit (CMU) can malfunction, causing the display and dashboard to blink erratically, which is distracting and potentially dangerous while driving.
There are reports of oil consumption issues leading to overheating, and a broken trailing link shaft at the rear wheel, which affects vehicle stability and control.
“..... ON AT LEAST 5 SEPERATE OCCASIONS OUR 2021 MAZDA CX5 SUV ACCELERATED TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (ON IT'S OWN). IT HAS DONE IT TO MY WIFE AND I BOTH. I CONTACTED TWO DIFFERENT MAZDA SERVICE CENTERS AND WAS ADVISED THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS AND THAT THER…”
“The vehicle developed an engine oil leak from the timing cover due to what appears to be premature seal failure. Engine oil was leaking externally and could drip onto hot engine components, creating a potential fire hazard while the vehicle is in operation. T…”
Mazda CX 9
- 01ENGINE262
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER79
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM49
- 04POWER TRAIN47
- 05SERVICE BRAKES45
A common issue is water pump failure that leaks coolant into the engine, causing overheating and potential engine seizure. Owners also report flashing check engine lights and rattling sounds, indicating serious engine problems.
The electric parking brake can malfunction, triggering multiple 'Critical Vehicle Malfunction' alerts, and the seat warmer can overheat, posing a burn risk.
The same water pump issue can lead to the vehicle shutting off while driving, which is extremely dangerous, especially on highways.
“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 l…”
“On December 14, 2015, I bought, a Mazda CX-9, at Sentry West Mazda located at 940 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury MA 01545. Unfortunately, the car's engine contains a defect in design, manufacturing, materials and/or workmanship that causes the water pump to sudd…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Mazda CX 5 — 6 recalls
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda CX-5 vehicles. In the event of a side impact or rollover crash, the side curtain air bags may not properly unfold during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety S…
The risk: If the air bags do not deploy properly in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2718F.
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
The risk: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2017 CX-5 vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness. This harness may be routed such that there is insufficient clearance between the harness and the exhaust muffler, allowing the wiring harness to contact the muffl…
The risk: Contact with the muffler may damage the trailer wiring harness, potentially resulting in the trailer lighting being inoperative, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the trailer hitch harness away from the muffler, replacing the harness if it is damaged, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer…
Mazda CX 9 — 11 recalls
The 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)…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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. M…
The 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 2013-201…
The risk: If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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 defect: 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 S…
The risk: A seat that slides forward during a crash can transfer excessive force onto a belted occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: 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 th…
The defect: 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 S…
The risk: A seat that slides forward during a crash can transfer excessive force onto a belted occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: 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 th…
Buyer analysis
Mazda CX 5 or Mazda CX 9: which should you buy?
The Mazda CX-5 has nearly double the complaints per year (98.8) compared to the CX-9 (50.6), but the CX-9 has more recalls (11 vs 6). In practice, the CX-5 may have more frequent annoyances, while the CX-9's issues are more severe and potentially dangerous, such as engine failure. Buyers should weigh the frequency of issues against the severity of potential failures.
Key differences
- The CX-5 has a higher rate of engine complaints, including unintended acceleration and oil leaks, while the CX-9's engine issues are more about water pump failures and overheating.
- The CX-9 has more recalls, indicating that some problems have been officially acknowledged, but the CX-5 has more complaints overall, suggesting a higher frequency of issues.
- Electrical problems in the CX-5 involve infotainment glitches, whereas the CX-9 has more safety-critical electrical issues like parking brake malfunctions and seat warmer overheating.
- The CX-5's power train issues include oil consumption and a broken trailing link, while the CX-9's power train problems are linked to the water pump causing engine shutdowns.
- Check for any signs of oil leaks around the timing cover and ask for service records related to engine oil consumption.
- Test the infotainment system for any flickering or signal drops, and be aware of any history of unintended acceleration.
- Inspect the water pump and cooling system for leaks, and ask if the water pump has been replaced or if there are any recalls outstanding.
- Test the electric parking brake and seat warmers to ensure they function properly without triggering warnings.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine for oil leaks, especially around the timing cover on the CX-5 and the water pump on the CX-9.
- Test drive at various speeds and listen for unusual noises, especially from the engine and rear suspension.
- Check the electrical systems, including the infotainment display, parking brake, and seat warmers.
- Review service records for any previous repairs related to the common issues mentioned.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Mazda CX 5 | Mazda CX 9 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 61 | 12 |
| 2022 | 63 | 9 |
| 2021 | 143 | 38 |
| 2020 | 106 | 19 |
| 2019 | 267 | 53 |
| 2018 | 117 | 126 |
| 2017 | 148 | 61 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Mazda CX 5 or Mazda CX 9 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda CX 5 vs Mazda CX 9
- Mazda CX 5 total complaints
- 988
- Mazda CX 9 total complaints
- 506
- Mazda CX 5 total recalls
- 6
- Mazda CX 9 total recalls
- 11
- Mazda CX 5 avg complaints/year
- 98.8
- Mazda CX 9 avg complaints/year
- 50.6
- More reliable overall
- Mazda CX 9
- Mazda CX 5 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Mazda CX 9 top complaint area
- ENGINE