The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 78 of 128 complaints (61%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 61 in 2017 to 128 in 2018.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 128
- Recall campaigns
- 2
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,600–$2,700
- Combined MPG
- 23–24
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–2,700 | 2,600–2,700 | 2,600–2,700 | 2,600–2,700 | 2,600–2,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–24 | 23–24 | 23–24 | 23–24 | 23–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–22 / 26–28 | 20–22 / 26–28 | 20–22 / 26–28 | 20–22 / 26–28 | 20–22 / 26–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 364–384 | 362–390 | 362–391 | 362–391 | 363–391 | |
| Complaints filed | 108 | 61 | 128 | 53 | 19 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Mazda CX-9 have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Mazda CX-9?
Engine: 78 of 128 NHTSA complaints (61%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Mazda CX-9 get?
EPA rates it 23–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Mazda CX-9?
EPA estimates $2,600–$2,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 362 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 391 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 78 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Defect
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
- Consequence
- Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
- Defect
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 CX-9 vehicles. The wiring harness may disrupt electrical communications and disable the passenger frontal air bag, turn signals, and/or engine starting system.
- Consequence
- The passenger frontal air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury. Inoperable turn signals prevent the driver from signaling to other drivers, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3419E.