2021 Mazda CX-9
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 20 of 38 complaints (53%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Driver Assistance & Speed Control include more crash reports (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 19 in 2020 to 38 in 2021.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–2,700 | 2,600–2,700 | 2,600–2,700 | 2,700 | 2,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–24 | 23–24 | 23–24 | 23 | 23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–22 / 26–28 | 20–22 / 26–28 | 20–22 / 26–28 | 20 / 26 | 20 / 26 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 362–391 | 363–391 | 363–391 | 392 | 392 | |
| Complaints filed | 53 | 19 | 38 | 10 | 12 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 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 2021 Mazda CX-9 have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Mazda CX-9?
Engine: 20 of 38 NHTSA complaints (53%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Mazda CX-9 get?
EPA rates it 23–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 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) | 363 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 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 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 (1)
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER; SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY · Campaign 21V750000 · Sep 27, 2021
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CX-9 vehicles equipped with 60/40 split bench second-row seats. The left-side second-row seat may unexpectedly slide forward during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Consequence: A seat that slides forward during a crash can transfer excessive force onto a belted occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the internal parts of the affected second-row seats, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5221I.