NHTSA has 68 owner complaints on file for this Mazda[1]. The page also lists 4 recalls for the model year[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints under several parts of the car, and these are the groups from biggest to smallest.
- Engine. 17 complaints[5]. Owners describe overheating, loud metal noises, and the car stalling without warning. Some stories blame the cooling system for serious engine damage.
- Brakes. 16 complaints[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe a stiff pedal that needs a hard push, along with a hissing sound when they brake.
- Air Bags. 9 complaints[7]. Owners describe a passenger air bag warning light that says the seat is empty when someone is sitting there. Others say the side air bags went off with no clear reason.
- Unknown Or Other. 9 complaints[8]. These reports do not point to one part of the car.
- Suspension. 9 complaints[9]. Owners describe waiting a long time for a repair part after getting a recall notice. One also mentions a sun visor that will not stay up.
- Power Train. 5 complaints[10].
- Structure. 4 complaints[11].
- Seat Belts. 2 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2013 CX-9 is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V717), October 2018. About 155,436 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V018), January 2018. About 70,227 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Steering (16V203), April 2016. About 578 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of steering, steering problems, parts separating. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint (15V451), July 2015. About 193,484 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of steering, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2013 Mazda CX-9 with 3.7L 6-cylinder[19] | 273 to 274 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2013 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 86 | 5 |
| 2008 | 172 | 5 |
| 2009 | 59 | 6 |
| 2010 | 195 | 6 |
| 2011 | 170 | 4 |
| 2012 | 221 | 4 |
| 2013 | 68 | 4 |
| 2014 | 54 | 3 |
| 2015 | 35 | 2 |
| 2016 | 107 | 0 |
| 2017 | 61 | 0 |
| 2018 | 128 | 2 |
| 2019 | 53 | 2 |
| 2020 | 19 | 1 |
| 2021 | 40 | 1 |
| 2022 | 11 | 0 |
| 2023 | 13 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the CX-9 show 68 complaints and 4 recalls for 2013[2]. Among the 17 model years listed, 9 have fewer complaints than 2013 and 7 have more[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2022 (11) and the most are for 2012 (221)[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2013 CX-9?
The 2013 CX-9 has 68 complaints on file[1]. The engine and brakes groups are the largest, with 17 and 16 complaints[5][6]. Air bag reports are a smaller group, yet they include a crash and an injury[7]. These are unverified reports from owners and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold[1]. Check the recall section on this page before you buy or keep one.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mazda CX-9?
- Engine complaints are the biggest group at 17[5], followed by brakes at 16[6]. See the problems section for what owners describe.
- Does the 2013 Mazda CX-9 have recalls?
- Yes, the by-year data shows 4 recalls for this year[2]. They are listed in the recalls section of this page.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2013 Mazda CX-9?
- See the fuel economy section on this page, which is built from EPA data.
- Is the 2013 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
- Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Read the problems section to see which parts they name, and the safety section for crash ratings.
- Is 2013 a good year for the Mazda CX-9?
- The by-year section on this page compares this model year with the others, using complaint and recall counts[2].
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Mazda CX-9
Compare all model years of the Mazda CX-9
Similar cars from 2013: small suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 68 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Mazda CX-9 (3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda CX-9 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for CX-9 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,950). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 18V717, filed October 12, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V018, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V203, filed April 11, 2016: Steering. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V451, filed July 20, 2015: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for CX-9 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2013 Mazda CX-9 with 3.7L 6-cylinder: rated 273 to 274 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CX-9 4DR SUV AWD GT: length 201 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,533 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CX-9 4DR SUV FWD GS: length 201 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,319 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov