AI Damage2023 Mazda CX-9: common problems
Owners of the 2023 Mazda CX-9 filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and steering. The maker issued 220 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 220
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 15% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 15% of all complaints
- 3 Forward collision avoidance 15% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 8% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 8% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
- Steering: 2 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Forward collision avoidance: 2 complaints (15% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 107.
- Structure: 1 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
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: 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 13 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 12 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 107 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 17 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 37 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 9 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
During this time, the driver reported: • Total loss of steering • Complete brake failure • No response to acceleration or driver input • No ability to slow, stop, or maneuver the vehicle • No meaningful warnings that allowed corrective action The vehicle became completely uncontrollable.
The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that his wife was a passenger in the vehicle and was seated in the front passenger seat. There were no injuries sustained. The front driver's side of the vehicle was damaged during the crash. No police or fire report was filed.
None of the vehicles collision avoidance warnings or safety features seemed to assist in the warning of the impending collision or deployed upon contact. No air bags, beeping of warning light - nothing.
Structural bolt (p#: 9-YA01-1401-A) connecting the lower control arm assembly to subframe has rusted apart. The head of the bolt was found in my driveway, otherwise there would be no indication of this potentially catastrophic failure. Vehicle is only 3 years old, was a cpo purchase, and has just 55k miles.
If you press both the brake and gas at the same time (even if accidental), the onboard computer apparently thinks that the driver is confused, and it sets the gas flow to “idle”.
My tire pressure light came on all of a sudden, I started to slow down and make my way over to the right lane and then shoulder to check it out and all of a sudden the tire tread completely ripped away from the rest of the tire. Some of the sidewalls stayed intact, which ultimately protected my wheel from damage.
I brought my vehicle in on 2/22/25 for a brake issue. I had to pump the brakes every time before I stopped to get the brake pedal to work. If I just hit the brakes the pedal would go almost to the floor. Greico Mazda has attempted 4 times to fix this issue with no success and has had my car in their shop for 4 months.
Starting [XXX], through [XXX], we began receiving multiple "Critical Vehicle Malfunction" alerts (46 alert messages)via the Mazda app, including "Parking Brake Malfunction" and "Electric Parking Brake Malfunction." During this time, the vehicle experienced delayed starts and eventually required a jump-start.
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 1,401 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 33% least complained about).
On average one model year of the CX-9 has 53 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 13, below average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Index General Questions MAZDA CONNECT Indication Setup and Getting…
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Index General Questions MAZDA CONNECT Indication Setup and Getting Started Dealer Processes Registration / Enrollment / Take-Over Customer Subscription Status WI-FI General Informatio…
- 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…
- Some customers may complain about any of the following
1. Infotainment Center Display does not provide the Authorization Code (OTP) during the MyMazda App
- Customers having MAZDA CONNECT concerns should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair…
- Some customers may complain about any of the following
1. Infotainment Center Display does not provide the Authorization Code (OTP) during the MyMazda App Connected Vehicle enrollment. 2. Remote functions inoperative. Engine Start / Stop Door Lock / Unlock Lights ON / OFF…
- Some customers may complain about the infotainment system and/or the MyMazda App showing incorrect clock…
Some customers may complain about the infotainment system and/or the MyMazda App showing incorrect clock and/or tire pressures and/or tire pressure missing. This may be caused by: Incorrect calendar entry…
- Some customers may complain about any of the following
1. Infotainment Center Display does not provide the Authorization Code (OTP) during the MyMazda App Connected Vehicle enrollment. 2. Remote function(s) inoperative. Engine Start / Stop Door Lock / Unlock Lights ON /…
- Mazda Connect Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Index General Questions MAZDA CONNECT Indication Setup and…
Mazda Connect Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Index General Questions MAZDA CONNECT Indication Setup and Getting Started Dealer Processes Registration / Enrollment / Take-Over Customer Subscription Status WI-FI…
- Some customers may experience a Connected Vehicle failure
The MyMazda App may display an Error Code. This document provides Error Code description and recovery information to assist with repairs. Index System Outline • MYMAZDA App Connected Vehicle (CV) Error Codes • Vehicle…
- Customers having MAZDA CONNECT concerns should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair…
Customers having MAZDA CONNECT concerns should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure. REPAIR PROCEDURE NOTE: Before proceeding: Document the vehicle's current MAZDA CONNECT CMU software…
- 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…
- When the Telematics Control Unit (TCU) replacement is necessary due to a failure, use MDARS to activate…
When the Telematics Control Unit (TCU) replacement is necessary due to a failure, use MDARS to activate the new TCU after replacement. Use the information in this service alert to initialize the new TCU until the…
NHTSA lists 220 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 2023 Mazda CX-9?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, steering, forward collision avoidance. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (15%), warning lights, check engine (15%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2023 Mazda CX-9?
NHTSA lists 220 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 2023 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 2023 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.