AI Damage2020 Mazda CX-9: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Mazda CX-9 filed 19 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 312 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 19
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 312
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 26% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 21% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 16% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 11% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 5% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 5% of all complaints
- Engine: 5 complaints (26% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 97.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 3 complaints (16% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 28.
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 22.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 19 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 19 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 97 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 28 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 22 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 30 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 11 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 98 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 37 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 18 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
During the head-on crash, no air bags inside the vehicle deployed. The contact sustained a concussion and right eye injury and later received medical attention. A Police report was filed at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a local storage facility.
The mazda Cx-9 is having the same fuel pump issues that was recalled up until 2018 models. The issue with the lean codes and faulty fuel pump continues
All warning lights were displayed on the short trip home. Being too dangerous to drive the vehicle was towed to a different repair shop. Diagnostic equipment determined the throttle body needed to be replaced. This was done prior to [XXX].
Warning signal front camera sensor system malfunction Forward Smart City Brake Support malfunction When this initial happen the steering wheel becomes hard to maneuver than releases The front and back cameras are clear from any debris or obstructions What should I do next?
All 4 of my BH255/50R20 XL 109v NOKIAN WR G4 vehicle tires are exhibiting abnormal tread degradation and excessive sidewall cracking. The tire defect includes a circumferential crack along the top of all 4 tires, where the top of the tire's sidewall and tread base meet.
The information screen is getting 'spider cracks" spreading across the face and turning opaque making the information unreadable. Mazda is apparently aware of this defect and issued a TSB for earlier models. Dealers were unhelpful and quoted $1000 - $3000 to repair depending on the VIN.
The vehicle will hesitate/stall while driving down the road. The vehicle has done this multiple times and has actually shut off on 2 different occasions while at a stop. on 2 occasions now the vehicle has not wanted to start. I have taken vehicle to Mazda dealership and they can never duplicate it.
Luckily I have been able to get over to the side of the road on the highway without an accident, but these warning lights pop up when it's sunny out and there is no reason for the car to act the way it does.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,274 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 39% least complained about).
On average one model year of the CX-9 has 53 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 19, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...),…
If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been…
- The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing
If the Mazda DCA-8000 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use the following test procedures in this Service Bulletin to test Mazda vehicle batteries and to generate a…
- Some customers may experience all of following symptoms
The door lock/unlock operation will not work using the remote transmitter button. 1. The door lock/unlock operation will not work using the door lock/release touch sensor. 2. The engine will not start using the…
- Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label
To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left area of the windshield), contact DAG (Dealer Assistance Group) using VIN Plate Request Form available on One Mazda. To obtain a…
- Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems
Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not…
- If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake…
If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manifold internally before installing a replacement engine assembly. If the intake manifold is not cleaned properly…
- Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt…
Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. This may be caused by insufficient sealing at the drive belt auto tensioner damper when the auto…
- There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not faulty, due to signs of a very…
There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not faulty, due to signs of a very small coolant leak from the bleed hole. This Service Alert is to inform you about the water pump sealing mechanism…
- There are currently 2 methods for cutting a new auxiliary key blank
A. Auxiliary Key Trace Cut Method • B. Auxiliary Key Code Cut Method 2019 and newer models require a 10-digit key code to accurately cut keys • 5-digit codes CANNOT be provided for 2019 and newer vehicles (the…
- Some customers may report an odor or water in the HVAC system and upon inspection, the cabin air filter…
Some customers may report an odor or water in the HVAC system and upon inspection, the cabin air filter may be found to be wet.
- A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating
It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in the A/C evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the cooling unit. This condition…
- When inspected, the differential or PTO oil is dark or black
This is considered normal and NO repair should be performed. During production, differential ring and pinion gears receive a manganese phosphate coating (commonly referred to as black oxide). This coating forms a…
NHTSA lists 312 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Mazda CX-9?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 19. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (16%), fuel system, fuel smell (11%), overheating, coolant loss (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Mazda CX-9?
NHTSA lists 312 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2020 Mazda CX-9 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2020 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.