CarBrief

Owners filed 54 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Mazda CX-9, and the engine group has the most of them[1][2]. The model also has 3 recalls on file, so check your VIN before you buy or keep one[3].

54owner complaints[1]
3recalls[3]
19MPG combined (EPA)[4]
4★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 54 owner complaints on file for the 2014 CX-9[1]. One mentions a crash and one a fire. No injuries or deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints
Engine[2] 20
Brakes[6] 9
Unknown or other[7] 9
Power train[8] 7
Fuel/propulsion system[9] 5
Suspension[10] 5
Seats[11] 3
Steering[12] 3

Engine. The median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 81,000[2]. We read a sample of 12 engine complaints[2]. In 6 of them, owners describe a failed water pump[2]. Some of those owners say the engine stopped with little or no warning, and they describe expensive repairs[2].

Brakes. One brake complaint involves a crash, and the median mileage at failure is 48,000[6]. In a sample of 9 brake complaints we read, 8 describe weak, soft, hard or unpredictable braking[6]. In 5 of them, owners name the brake booster[6]. None of the three recalls listed below covers the brakes[13][14][15].

Power train. One of the 7 power train complaints mentions a fire[8]. In a sample of 7 we read, 3 describe a water pump failure and 2 describe a transfer case leaking fluid[8]. Some of these texts are also in the engine sample, so the two samples overlap.

Suspension. In a sample of 5 suspension complaints we read, 3 involve corroded front ball joints or the ball joint recall, and 2 describe wheel bearing noise and replacement[10]. The ball joint recall is covered below.

We have no complaint texts for the other groups, so we cannot say what owners describe there.

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls for this model year[3]. Newest first:

Build dates matter. A given 2014 car may or may not fall inside a recall's range, so look up the VIN with NHTSA or a Mazda dealer. Mazda customer service takes recall questions at 1-800-222-5500[14][15].

Fuel economy

The EPA rates both versions at 19 MPG combined[4][16]. Both use a 3.7L 6-cylinder engine with an Automatic (S6) transmission and take regular gas[4][16].

Version City Highway Combined
2WD (front-wheel drive)[4] 17 24 19
4WD[16] 16 22 19

The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,550 for each version[4][16]. That estimate uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2014 CX-9 an overall rating of 4 stars in both the AWD and FWD versions[5][17]. Frontal crash is 3 stars, side crash is 5 stars and rollover is 4 stars[5][17].

NHTSA puts the rollover risk at 14.3% for AWD[5] and 15.1% for FWD[17]. Frontal crash is the lowest of the four ratings.

Engine and size

The 3.7L 6-cylinder engine is rated at 273 to 274 hp, depending on version[18].

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

AWD GT FWD GS
Length[19][20] 201 in 201 in
Width[19][20] 76 in 76 in
Height[19][20] 68 in 68 in
Wheelbase[19][20] 113 in 113 in
Curb weight[19][20] 4,546 lb 4,248 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

2007: 86 complaints, 5 recalls20072008: 172 complaints, 5 recalls2009: 59 complaints, 6 recalls20092010: 195 complaints, 6 recalls2011: 170 complaints, 4 recalls20112012: 221 complaints, 4 recalls2013: 68 complaints, 4 recalls20132014: 54 complaints, 3 recalls5420142015: 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 2014 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 2014 CX-9 has 54 complaints and 3 recalls on file with NHTSA[3].

On complaints, 2014 has fewer than 10 of the 17 model years and more than 6[3]. The highest counts are 221 for 2012, 195 for 2010 and 172 for 2008[3]. Several years have fewer than 2014: 2015 with 35, 2019 with 53, 2020 with 19, 2021 with 40, 2022 with 11 and 2023 with 13[3].

On recalls, the 2007 to 2013 model years each have 4 to 6[3]. The 2015 to 2023 model years each have 0 to 2[3]. At 3, 2014 sits between the two groups[3].

These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they are not a reliability ranking.

Should you buy a used 2014 Mazda CX-9?

The 2014 complaint count of 54 is lower than 10 of the 17 model years and higher than 6[3]. The engine group has the most complaints, and 6 of the 12 engine texts we read describe a water pump failure[2]. Engine repairs can be costly, so ask for service records and a thorough inspection. Check the VIN for all three recalls, since two of them involve a loss of steering control if the part fails[14][15]. Fuel economy is 19 MPG combined, which matters if you drive a lot[4][16].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Mazda CX-9?
Engine is the biggest group with 20 of 54 complaints[1][2]. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 6 describe a water pump failure[2]. Brakes have 9 complaints[6].
Does the 2014 Mazda CX-9 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists three: a passenger air bag inflator (18V717), front strut bolts (16V203) and front ball joints (15V451)[13][14][15]. Coverage depends on your VIN.
What is the gas mileage of a 2014 Mazda CX-9?
The EPA rates the 2WD at 17 city, 24 highway and 19 combined MPG[4]. The 4WD is 16 city, 22 highway and 19 combined[16].
How safe is the 2014 Mazda CX-9?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall, 3 for frontal crash, 5 for side crash and 4 for rollover[5][17].
How does the 2014 CX-9 compare with other model years?
It has 54 complaints and 3 recalls[3]. 2012 has the most complaints at 221, and 2022 has the fewest at 11[3]. The counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 54 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Mazda CX-9 (1 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 20 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda CX-9 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 9 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 9 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 7 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 5 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 5 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 18V717, filed October 12, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 16V203, filed April 11, 2016: Steering. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 15V451, filed July 20, 2015: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint. NHTSA recall database
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Mazda CX-9 with 3.7L 6-cylinder: rated 273 to 274 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  19. 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 4,546 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. 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 4,248 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.