CarBrief

NHTSA has 195 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Mazda CX-9, and brakes are the largest group[1][2]. The car also has 6 recalls, and most of them involve the front passenger air bag inflator[3][4].

195owner complaints[1]
6recalls[3]
17–18MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 195 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Of those, 7 mention a crash, 5 a fire and 6 an injury[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Component group Complaints
Brakes[2] 91
Engine[6] 27
Power train[7] 23
Air bags[8] 18
Suspension[9] 16
Speed control[10] 9
Structure[11] 6
Electrical system[12] 6

Brakes. This is the biggest group, with 91 complaints, 5 crashes, 2 injuries and a median mileage at failure of 85,000[2]. In the 12 brake complaints we read, 7 name the brake booster or the master cylinder[2]. Owners describe a hard pedal or having to pump the brakes to stop[2].

Power train. There are 23 complaints, with 4 fires and a median mileage at failure of 76,600[7]. In the 12 power train complaints we read, 11 describe a failed transfer case or power transfer unit[7]. Owners mention leaking oil, a burning smell and smoke in the cabin[7].

Engine. There are 27 complaints and no crashes, fires or injuries[6]. In the 12 engine complaints we read, 4 describe the engine losing power or shutting off while driving[6]. Another 3 describe a ticking noise that is louder when the engine is cold[6].

Air bags. There are 18 complaints, with 2 crashes and 3 injuries[8]. In the 12 air bag complaints we read, 10 are owners who were told about a recall and were waiting for repair parts[8].

Suspension, speed control, structure and electrical system each have fewer complaints, so we do not treat them as common problems[9][10][11][12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2010 model year[3]. Newest first:

Some of these recalls apply only to certain vehicles. Check the VIN on the NHTSA recall site before you buy or drive the car.

Fuel economy

EPA lists two versions with the same 3.7L 6-cylinder engine and an Automatic (S6) transmission, both on regular gas[5][18].

Version City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
2WD (front-wheel drive)[5] 16 MPG 22 MPG 18 MPG $3,700
4WD[18] 15 MPG 21 MPG 17 MPG $3,950

The EPA annual cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[5][18].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2010 CX-9 4 stars for rollover resistance, with a rollover risk of 14.3%[19].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list shows a rating of 273 hp for a 2010 CX-9 listed with an electric motor[20]. The fuel economy listings name a 3.7L 6-cylinder engine[5].

These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

FWD GS AWD GT
Length[21][22] 200 in 200 in
Width[21][22] 76 in 76 in
Height[21][22] 68 in 68 in
Wheelbase[21][22] 113 in 113 in
Curb weight[21][22] 4,319 lb 4,533 lb

How 2010 compares with other years

2007: 86 complaints, 5 recalls20072008: 172 complaints, 5 recalls2009: 59 complaints, 6 recalls20092010: 195 complaints, 6 recalls19520102011: 170 complaints, 4 recalls20112012: 221 complaints, 4 recalls2013: 68 complaints, 4 recalls20132014: 54 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 35 complaints, 2 recalls20152016: 107 complaints, 0 recalls2017: 61 complaints, 0 recalls20172018: 128 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 53 complaints, 2 recalls20192020: 19 complaints, 1 recalls2021: 40 complaints, 1 recalls20212022: 11 complaints, 0 recalls2023: 13 complaints, 0 recalls2023
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each CX-9 model year. The 2010 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2007865
20081725
2009596
20101956
20111704
20122214
2013684
2014543
2015352
20161070
2017610
20181282
2019532
2020191
2021401
2022110
2023130

The 2010 model year has 195 complaints and 6 recalls[3]. Of the 17 model years on file, only 2012 has more complaints, at 221[3]. 2008 (172) and 2011 (170) come next[3]. 2009 also has 6 recalls, so the two years tie for the most[3]. The 2009 model year has far fewer complaints, at 59[3].

Model years from 2013 on all have fewer complaints than 2010. 2016 has 107 complaints and no recalls, and 2022 has 11 complaints and no recalls[3]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read them as a rough guide within this one model.

Should you buy a used 2010 CX-9?

This model year has a long complaint file, and it ranks second among the CX-9 years we have data for[1][3]. Brake complaints lead the list, and in the 12 brake complaints we read, 7 name the brake booster or the master cylinder[2]. Power train complaints in our sample center on the transfer case[7].

Ask for service records on the brakes and the transfer case, and run the VIN for open recalls, especially the air bag inflator ones[4][15]. Our data cannot tell you repair costs or how any single car was kept.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Mazda CX-9?
Brakes have the most complaints at 91 out of 195 on file[2][1]. Engine has 27 and power train has 23[6][7]. In the small samples of complaint texts we read, owners describe brake booster trouble and transfer case failures.
Does the 2010 Mazda CX-9 have recalls?
Yes, 6 recalls are on file[3]. Four are about the front passenger air bag inflator, one is about front ball joints and one is about seat heaters[4][16][17].
How many miles per gallon does a 2010 Mazda CX-9 get?
The 2WD version is rated 18 MPG combined and the 4WD version 17 MPG combined by the EPA[5][18].
Is the 2010 CX-9 the worst CX-9 year?
It has the second highest complaint count at 195, behind 2012 at 221[3]. It ties 2009 for the most recalls at 6[3].
What safety rating does the 2010 Mazda CX-9 have?
NHTSA lists a rollover rating of 4 stars and a rollover risk of 14.3%[19].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 195 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Mazda CX-9 (7 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 91 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda CX-9 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 19V782, filed October 31, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for CX-9 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 27 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 23 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,600). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 18 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 16 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 125,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 9 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 19,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 6 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,546). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 6 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,521). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 18V717, filed October 12, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 18V018, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 17V429, filed June 29, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 15V451, filed July 20, 2015: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 10V051, filed February 19, 2010: Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater / Cooler. NHTSA recall database
  18. EPA rating for CX-9 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2010 Mazda CX-9 with electric motor: rated 273 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CX-9 4DR SUV FWD GS: length 200 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,319 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CX-9 4DR SUV AWD GT: length 200 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,533 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.