Head-to-head reliability
Mazda CX 9 vs Honda Accord
How the Mazda CX 9 and Honda Accord 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 9 vs Honda Accord: The CX-9 averages 51 complaints per year with 11 recalls, while the Accord averages 452 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The CX-9's top issue is engine (264 complaints), and the Accord's is also engine (1006). Both have safety-related reports. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda CX 9 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda CX 9
The Mazda CX-9 is a three-row SUV that averages about 51 complaints per year, which is relatively low for a vehicle of its size. The most common complaint area is the engine, often related to valve stem seals and warranty disputes. Electrical and power train issues also appear, with some owners reporting sudden shutdowns or unintended acceleration. Overall, the complaint pattern suggests a vehicle with some known engine and electrical quirks, but fewer yearly complaints than many competitors.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume, averaging about 452 complaints per year. The most frequent issues involve the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with some reports of stalling, warning lights, and braking problems. Recalls are also more numerous, covering hybrid software, fuel pumps, and air bags. This suggests that while the Accord is common, owners report a wide range of problems, some serious.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda CX 9 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 511 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 11 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 22 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 51.1 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 15 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
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 9
- 01ENGINE264
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER79
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM49
- 04POWER TRAIN48
- 05SERVICE BRAKES45
Owners report valve stem seal issues that can lead to oil consumption and warranty disputes, as seen in complaints about the SSPD5 class action. Some also describe uncommanded acceleration, which can be frightening in traffic.
Multiple owners report sudden electrical shutdowns, where the vehicle loses all power and coasts to a stop, as well as repeated 'Critical Vehicle Malfunction' alerts for parking brake and other systems. These can leave you stranded or cause loss of control.
Complaints include warning messages like 'Smart Brake System Malfunction' and 'Driver Attention' alerts appearing simultaneously, and issues with the valve stem seal settlement affecting the powertrain warranty. These can indicate underlying transmission or engine management problems.
Some owners report brake-related warnings and malfunctions, including electric parking brake failures. While not the most frequent, brake issues are safety-critical and should be checked.
“This complaint refers to Mazda and it's dealer refusal to properly execute the warranty work under the SSPD5 Valve Stem Seal Class Action Campaign and does not follow the Court's approval of the final Settlement Agreement. I assert that Mazda and it's dealer…”
“THE MAZDA CX-9 UNCOMMANDED ENGINE ACCELERATION REPORTED HEREIN DID NOT RESULT IN ANY DAMAGE PRIMARILY BECAUSE IT COMMENCED SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER I BEGAN LIGHT BRAKING WHILE APPROACHING A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. MY IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WAS TO INCREASE BRAKE PRESSURE;…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises while accelerating, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and jerking when the charge button is pressed. Some also experience loss of speed and multiple warning alarms, which can lead to dangerous situations.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking systems at highway speeds, as well as TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. These electrical glitches can compromise control and safety.
Owners describe the system activating unexpectedly or failing to prevent collisions, with incidents occurring under similar conditions. This can cause sudden braking or a false sense of security.
Some owners report persistent rotten-egg odors and fuel system issues, which may indicate problems with the fuel delivery or emissions components. These can be costly to diagnose and repair.
“Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…”
“Vehicle makes rattling noises while accelerating similar to a diesel engine also rough transitions between EV mode and Gas mode also when you press the charge button the engine makes a very noticeable jerk once it’s on ,Honda does not want to fix my issue and…”
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 9 — 11 recalls
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…
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 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.
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
Buyer analysis
Mazda CX 9 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mazda CX-9 has far fewer complaints per year (about 51) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452), suggesting the CX-9 may have fewer reported issues overall. However, the CX-9 still has notable engine and electrical complaints, while the Accord's higher volume includes many advanced driver-assist and hybrid-related problems. In practice, the CX-9 might be less likely to send you to the shop frequently, but both have serious safety-related reports.
Key differences
- The Mazda CX-9 averages about 51 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages about 452, a nearly nine-fold difference.
- The CX-9's top complaint is engine (264 total), often valve stem seals and warranty disputes; the Accord's top complaint is also engine (1006 total), but includes hybrid drivetrain jerking and stalling.
- The Accord has many complaints about forward collision avoidance (837) and electrical system failures (895), including power steering and braking lockups; the CX-9 has fewer such reports but still has electrical shutdowns.
- The Accord has 38 recalls and 3 deaths reported, while the CX-9 has 11 recalls and 0 deaths, though recall counts alone don't tell the whole story.
- Check for oil consumption or leaks around the valve stem seals, especially on 2021-2022 models covered by the settlement; ask for repair records.
- Test all electrical functions, including the parking brake and infotainment, and look for any history of sudden shutdowns or 'Critical Vehicle Malfunction' alerts.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system and adaptive cruise control on a test drive to ensure they don't activate unexpectedly or fail to respond.
- Listen for rattling noises during acceleration and check for rough transitions between EV and gas modes on hybrid models; also inspect for fuel odors.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, especially the Mazda valve stem seal settlement and Honda hybrid software updates.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine for oil leaks, unusual noises, and check the electrical system for any stored fault codes.
- Test drive at highway speeds to feel for transmission jerking, unintended acceleration, or warning lights on the dashboard.
- Verify that all safety systems (brakes, steering, forward collision avoidance) work properly and have not been subject to recalls.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and specifically inquire about any past repairs related to the common complaints listed here.
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 9 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 13 | 226 |
| 2022 | 10 | 252 |
| 2021 | 39 | 234 |
| 2020 | 19 | 362 |
| 2019 | 53 | 691 |
| 2018 | 128 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 61 | 537 |
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 9 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda CX 9 vs Honda Accord
- Mazda CX 9 total complaints
- 511
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Mazda CX 9 total recalls
- 11
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mazda CX 9 avg complaints/year
- 51.1
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Mazda CX 9
- Mazda CX 9 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE