Head-to-head reliability
Mazda CX 9 vs Toyota Camry
How the Mazda CX 9 and Toyota Camry 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 Toyota Camry: The CX-9 averages 50.6 complaints per year, with engine issues like water pump failures, while the Camry averages 214.3, including transmission and brake problems. The Camry has more crashes and injuries, but the CX-9's engine failures can be sudden. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda CX 9 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda CX 9
The Mazda CX-9, in ownership terms, is a family SUV that has drawn a moderate number of complaints over the past decade, with engine issues dominating the reports. Owners frequently describe check engine lights, water pump failures leading to coolant leaks, and sudden power loss, which can be alarming and potentially dangerous, especially on highways. The pattern suggests that while not every vehicle will experience these problems, engine-related reliability is a significant concern for this model.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, a popular sedan, has a higher total number of complaints, but this is partly due to its larger sales volume. The complaints are spread across multiple systems, including powertrain, engine, brakes, and electrical, with no single issue dominating. Owners report transmission grinding, sudden acceleration incidents, brake failures, and HVAC odors, indicating a range of potential problems that vary by model year and individual vehicle.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda CX 9 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 506 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 11 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 22 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 50.6 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 15 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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
- 01ENGINE262
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER79
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM49
- 04POWER TRAIN47
- 05SERVICE BRAKES45
Owners report flashing check engine lights, often accompanied by rattling sounds, and water pump failures that leak coolant into the engine, potentially causing overheating and engine damage. These issues can lead to sudden power loss while driving, posing a safety risk.
Multiple 'Critical Vehicle Malfunction' alerts, including parking brake malfunctions, have been reported through the Mazda app, indicating electronic system glitches that may affect vehicle operation and driver confidence.
Electrical issues include false alerts from the vehicle's monitoring system and a reported seat warmer malfunction that caused discomfort or potential burn risk. These problems suggest wiring or sensor faults.
Some owners describe the vehicle shutting off while driving, often linked to water pump failures and coolant loss, which can lead to engine seizure. This is a critical safety concern, especially when merging onto 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…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission issues are reported, including grinding noises upon acceleration and the need for transmission replacement. Some owners mention recalls for similar problems, but not all vehicles are covered, leading to out-of-pocket costs.
HVAC problems include a recurring vinegar-like or mildew odor from the air conditioning, which can be unpleasant and may indicate mold growth in the system. Also, AC condensers can be damaged by rocks, leading to refrigerant leaks.
There are reports of sudden, uncontrollable acceleration, which is extremely dangerous and has led to crashes. Additionally, some owners receive engine maintenance warnings related to a coolant bypass valve, but their VINs are not included in recalls, leaving them with potential engine damage.
Brake failure incidents are described, where the brake pedal provides no response, especially on hills, leading to near-misses or crashes. This is a critical safety issue that requires immediate attention.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
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 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…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Mazda CX 9 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mazda CX-9 has fewer complaints per year (50.6) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), but the nature of the issues differs. The CX-9's engine problems are more concentrated and potentially severe, while the Camry's issues are more varied. In practice, the Camry's higher complaint count may reflect its larger market presence, but buyers should not overlook the CX-9's engine risks.
Key differences
- The CX-9's complaints are heavily concentrated on engine failures (262 out of 506), while the Camry's top issue is powertrain (395 out of 2143), but with more spread across other areas.
- CX-9 owners report water pump failures leading to coolant leaks and engine shutdowns, a specific and dangerous pattern; Camry owners report transmission grinding and sudden acceleration, which are also serious but different.
- The Camry has a higher number of crash-related complaints (181 vs 22) and injuries (163 vs 15), but this may be due to higher sales volume; the CX-9 has zero deaths reported, while the Camry has one.
- Electrical issues in the CX-9 include false parking brake alerts, while the Camry has HVAC odor problems and AC condenser damage, indicating different electronic and comfort system concerns.
- Check for any history of check engine lights or water pump replacements; ask for service records and consider a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the cooling system.
- Look for signs of coolant leaks under the vehicle or in the engine bay, and listen for rattling noises from the engine that could indicate internal damage.
- Inspect the transmission for any signs of grinding or slipping during a test drive, and verify if any transmission-related recalls have been performed.
- Ask about any brake issues and have the braking system checked, especially if the vehicle has been driven in hilly areas; also, check for any HVAC odor by running the A/C.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine and cooling system for the CX-9, and the transmission and brakes for the Camry.
- Test drive both vehicles on a variety of roads, including highways, to feel for any unusual vibrations, noises, or power loss.
- Ask for maintenance records and verify that all recommended services have been performed on time.
- Check the NHTSA website for the specific model year you are considering to see if there are any common complaints or recalls.
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 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 62 |
| 2022 | 9 | 59 |
| 2021 | 38 | 155 |
| 2020 | 19 | 270 |
| 2019 | 53 | 393 |
| 2018 | 126 | 736 |
| 2017 | 61 | 148 |
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 Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda CX 9 vs Toyota Camry
- Mazda CX 9 total complaints
- 506
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Mazda CX 9 total recalls
- 11
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mazda CX 9 avg complaints/year
- 50.6
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Mazda CX 9
- Mazda CX 9 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN