Owners have reported 4 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Mazda CX-9. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints60
ENGINE
Owners report frequent issues with the 2018 Mazda CX-9 involving cracked cylinder heads, leading to coolant leaks and engine overheating. Symptoms commonly described include sudden engine overheating warnings, loss of power, and visible leaks or smoke, often resulting in the vehicle becoming undriveable. These problems are typically noted around 55,000 to 130,000 miles, with some owners mentioning technical service bulletins and extended warranties that address the issue. Safety implications include the potential for sudden loss of engine power while driving, though no crashes or injuries are reported. Buyers should be aware of these recurring engine issues and the associated repair costs, as well as the potential for vehicles to be outside warranty coverage.
Owner complaints17
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report recurring issues with the infotainment screen on the 2018 Mazda CX-9, frequently describing spider-like cracks or frost inside the screen, which can obscure navigation and backup camera displays. These symptoms often appear after a few years of ownership, with some complaints noting the problem at around 23,000 miles. Additionally, there are reports of sudden unintended acceleration while braking, with at least one incident leading to a crash. Some owners also mention overheating issues linked to coolant leaks, particularly in turbo models, resulting in significant repair costs. These issues highlight potential safety concerns, including impaired visibility and loss of vehicle control.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Mazda CX-9 frequently report issues with the vehicle's infotainment system, particularly "spider cracking" on the screen, which obstructs visibility of critical functions such as navigation and backup cameras. These complaints often note the problem emerging around two years after purchase and worsening over time. Another common issue involves the vehicle's electrical system causing unexpected braking, as indicated by a "Smart System Brake Malfunction" warning, posing a risk of sudden loss of control. Additionally, some owners describe battery drainage linked to the liftgate and seat heater malfunctions, with one instance resulting in a fire. These patterns suggest potential safety implications, including the risk of rear-end collisions and vehicle fires.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints12
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with coolant leaks in the 2018 Mazda CX-9, often attributed to cracked cylinder heads. Complaints frequently mention symptoms like coolant loss, lack of warning lights, and overheating, with some cases leading to engine damage. These issues are typically reported around 53,000 to 102,000 miles. Safety implications include potential engine failure at highway speeds, with some owners expressing concern over the risk of fire due to undetected high temperatures. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these documented issues and the potential repair costs involved.
Owner complaints5
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Mazda CX-9 report issues with the vehicle's braking system, particularly concerning the emergency parking brake (EPB) and brake pedal function. Complaints frequently mention the EPB malfunctioning, leading to unexpected releases or failure to release, with one instance involving a crash where the vehicle lurched forward. Another common issue is brake vibration and squealing, with resurfacing and rotor replacement needed under 60,000 miles, despite some owners being advised that the brakes appear fine. These issues often occur at relatively low mileages, around 25,000 to 60,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of near-misses and loss of vehicle control, which potential buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints3
STEERING
Owners report that the 2018 Mazda CX-9 experiences steering-related issues, including knocking noises when turning, which appear suddenly without prior damage. This issue is noted by one owner to have a technical service bulletin (TSB) but no recall. Another complaint highlights a more severe problem where the power steering cuts out while driving, accompanied by multiple warning messages and system failures, such as the stereo and HVAC, due to an engine harness defect. This defect is mentioned as affecting a lot of 500 vehicles, although no recall is issued. These issues occur at varying mileage, with one report indicating problems with less than 4,000 miles. Safety implications include potential loss of control, particularly concerning if the vehicle is in motion, as one owner reports power steering failure while driving at 20 mph.
Owner complaints2
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners report issues with the visibility components of the 2018 Mazda CX-9, specifically involving the sun visor and sunroof. One complaint describes a passenger side sun visor that fails to stay in place, drooping and impairing the driver's field of vision. Another owner reports a sunroof that unexpectedly exploded while driving. These issues do not specify a mileage range, but both have potential safety implications, such as vision obstruction and sudden debris entry, which could affect driving safety. These patterns suggest potential areas of concern for prospective buyers of this model.
Owner complaints2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2018 Mazda CX-9 report issues related to engine overheating and coolant leaks. Complaints frequently mention the engine overheating within approximately 15 minutes of driving, accompanied by a warning message advising to stop driving. Some owners describe discovering coolant leaks, with one instance linked to a fracture in the cylinder head, requiring engine replacement. These issues are reported at mileages around 76,000 to 88,080 miles. No crashes, fires, or loss of control are mentioned in the complaints, but the need for significant repairs like engine replacement could be a consideration for potential buyers.
Owner complaints2
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Mazda CX-9 report issues related to the fuel system, with one complaint involving a recall where parts are unavailable, and another describing a loss of motive power and stalling when the vehicle is low on fuel. Symptoms include the vehicle stalling when approaching a gas pump and the check engine light illuminating, with one owner noting this occurred around 65,000 miles. This issue required adding gasoline to restart the vehicle, and a diagnosis indicated a faulty fuel pump and sensor. Safety implications include the potential for stalling in traffic, though no crashes or fires are reported. Buyers should be aware of these fuel system issues, especially when considering vehicles with similar mileage.
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners report issues with the airbag system in the 2018 Mazda CX-9, specifically noting failures to deploy during collisions. Complaints frequently mention situations where the airbags did not activate in crashes, leading to injuries. Both reported incidents involve crashes, with one owner describing a head-on collision where other vehicles' airbags deployed, but theirs did not. The failure of airbags to deploy during accidents poses significant safety implications, as both complaints involve injuries. These reports suggest potential concerns for used car buyers regarding the reliability of the airbag system in crash scenarios.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
