Short answer
Among Mazda CX-9 model years through 2024, 2017, 2022 and 2023 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2009 and 2010 have the most (6). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Mazda CX-9: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 16 (2007–2023)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 13
- Fewest recalls
- 2017, 2022 and 2023 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2009 and 2010 (6)
- Most recalled system
- Air bags (24)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2018, 2019, 2020 and 3 more years
Mazda CX-9 Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2022 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2021 | 1 | 5 stars | Seats |
| 2020 | 1 | 5 stars | Seats |
| 2019 | 2 | 5 stars | Fuel system, gasoline, Tires |
| 2018 | 2 | 5 stars | Electrical system, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2017 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2015 | 2 | 4 stars | Air bags, Steering |
| 2014 | 3 | 4 stars | Air bags, Steering, Suspension |
| 2013 | 4 | 4 stars | Air bags, Steering, Suspension |
| 2012 | 4 | Not rated | Air bags, Suspension |
| 2011 | 4 | Not rated | Air bags, Suspension |
| 2010 | 6 | Not rated | Air bags, Seats, Suspension |
| 2009 | 6 | Not rated | Air bags, Electrical system, Suspension |
| 2008 | 5 | Not rated | Air bags, Electrical system, Suspension |
| 2007 | 5 | Not rated | Air bags, Electrical system, Suspension |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20230 recalls
- 20220 recalls
- 20211 recall
- 20201 recall
- 20192 recalls
- 20182 recalls
- 20170 recalls
- 20152 recalls
- 20143 recalls
- 20134 recalls
- 20124 recalls
- 20114 recalls
- 20106 recalls
- 20096 recalls
- 20085 recalls
- 20075 recalls
Mazda CX-9: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Mazda CX-9 recalls are air bags (24), suspension (8), electrical system (4), seats (3) and steering (3). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 9 of these 16 model years, and 2018, 2019, 2020 and 3 more years earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Mazda CX-9 Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Mazda CX-9?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2017, 2022 and 2023 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Mazda CX-9 model years have the most recalls?
2009 and 2010 have the most, with 6 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "CX-9", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy