NHTSA has 35 owner complaints on file for this SUV[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 18[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA records for this model year, biggest first.
- Engine. 18 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe warning lights, overheating, coolant loss and stalling on the road. Some describe a tow to a shop and a costly engine repair afterward.
- Unknown or other. 9 complaints[6]. These reports do not fit a single named component group.
- Brakes. 3 complaints[7]. Owners describe a leak near the brake fluid area, grinding and shaking when braking, and a hissing pedal.
- Power train. 3 complaints[8]. Owners describe a clunk when shifting and a vehicle that shut off while driving.
- Air bags. 2 complaints[9]. Owners describe a warning light and a crash where the bags stayed closed.
- Exterior lighting. 2 complaints[10].
- Visibility. 1 complaint[11].
- Seat belts. 1 complaint[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2015 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]
- 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.[14]
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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 Mazda CX-9 with 3.7L 6-cylinder[17] | 273 to 274 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2015 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 35 complaints and 2 recalls for 2015[3]. Among the 17 model years listed, 3 have fewer complaints than 2015 and 13 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2022 (11) and the most are for 2012 (221)[3]. 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 2015 CX-9?
The record for this model year is led by engine complaints[2]. Other groups are much smaller, such as brakes with 3[7] and air bags with 2[9]. One complaint mentions a crash and 5 injuries are reported in total[1]. These are unverified owner reports and one report can name several components, so read them as a pattern to check and not as a final answer. A pre-purchase inspection that looks closely at the engine and cooling system is a sensible step.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Mazda CX-9?
- The engine group has the most complaints, 18[2]. See the problems section above for what owners describe.
- Does the 2015 Mazda CX-9 have recalls?
- Yes, the by-year fact lists 2 recalls for this model year[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2015 Mazda CX-9?
- See the fuel economy section of this page, which is built from EPA data.
- Is the 2015 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
- NHTSA has 35 complaints for this year[1]. Engine reports lead with 18[2]. Check the sections on this page and compare with other years of the same model.
- Is 2015 the best year for the Mazda CX-9?
- The by-year comparison section on this page shows how model years line up.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Mazda CX-9
Compare all model years of the Mazda CX-9
Other Mazda models from 2015
Similar cars from 2015: small suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 35 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Mazda CX-9 (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,564). 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
- 9 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 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 16V203, filed April 11, 2016: Steering. 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, 2015 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 GS 4DR SUV FWD: 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
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CX-9 GS/GT 4DR SUV AWD: length 201 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,553 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov