2010 Mazda CX-9 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jun 24, 2026 · 195 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other CX-9 years
Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 17 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 195 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Mazda CX-9. That ranks 2nd out of 17 CX-9 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes (88 complaints, 45%), typically at around 83,600 miles. Complaints mention 7 crashes, 5 fires, 6 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.

Mazda CX-9
Mazda_CX-9_(TC) in Böblingen. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2010 Mazda CX-9 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Service Brakes88 · ~83,600 mi
Engine23 · ~85,401 mi
Power Train23 · ~76,600 mi
Air Bags18 · ~44,000 mi
Suspension16 · ~125,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control9 · ~19,000 mi
Electrical System6 · ~44,521 mi
Structure6 · ~66,546 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling5 · ~74,711 mi
Unknown or Other5 · ~104,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Service Brakes problems8845%83,600“brake booster” (43%)$1,200
Engine2312%85,401——
Power Train2312%76,600——
Air Bags189%44,000——
Suspension168%125,000——
Vehicle Speed Control95%19,000——
Electrical System63%44,521——
Structure63%66,546——
Engine and Engine Cooling53%74,711——
Unknown or Other53%104,000——
Exterior Lighting42%82,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic42%128,382——
Steering42%101,500——
Wheels42%125,000——
Seats32%30,023——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)21%1,600——
Traction Control System21%2,423——
Fuel/propulsion System11%128,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline11%44,521——
Latches/locks/linkages11%35,000——
Seat Belts11%18,000——
Tires11%55,000——
Visibility11%77,500——
Visibility/wiper11%111,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2016, with 27 complaints
2010: 4201042011: 442012: 9201292013: 21212014: 222014222015: 12122016: 272016272017: 22222018: 192018192019: 21212020: 9202092021: 882022: 8202282023: 332024: 3202432026: 33

n = 195 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2010 Mazda CX-9 recalls (6)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveOct 31, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V782000 · 69,879 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V356 and 17V012.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveOct 12, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V717000 · 155,436 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJan 9, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V018000 · 70,227 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2013 Mazda6 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2010 Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 Mazda6, CX-7, and CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJun 29, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V429000 · 205,377 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.

Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint; suspension:front:control arm:lower armJul 20, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V451000 · 193,484 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 CX-9 vehicles manufactured October 24, 2006, to December 28, 2013. The affected vehicles have front suspension ball joints that may corrode from water leaking into the fitting.

Risk: Over time, the ball joint corrosion may result in the front lower control arm separating from the ball joint, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both the left and right lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. The recall will begin with model year 2007-2009 vehicles registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The second phase will be for model year 2010-2014 vehicles in the same states. Finally, all remaining vehicles will be remedied. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 8515G.

Seats:front assembly:seat heater/coolerFeb 19, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V051000 · 12,300 vehicles

Problem: Mazda is recalling certain model year 2010 cx-9 vehicles equipped with electrically heated front seats. There is a possibility under extremely cold conditions for the seat heater control circuit to overheat and fail due to insufficient electrical grounding.

Risk: This may cause burn damage of the seat cushion surface, or a risk of smoke/fire.

Fix: Dealers will install an additional ground harness on the seat heater control system. The seat heater control circuit will be replaced if necessary and/or the seat will be repaired free of charge. The safety recall began on march 9, 2010. Owners may contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Inadvertent Curtain Air Bag Deployment (PE19006) — opened May 2, 2019, closed Jan 15, 2021.
  • Lower ball joint separation (PE15022) — opened Jun 9, 2015, closed Aug 20, 2015, led to recall 15V451000.
  • Brake Booster Failure (PE14005) — opened Feb 10, 2014, closed Jun 26, 2014.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The break booster went out without any warning or indicators while driving almost resulting in a collision. There are no warning lights on the dashboard.

Service Brakes · received Jun 24, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11746341

Front suspension broke while my husband was driving back from a fire as he is a volunteer firefighter. He states car did not have any lights on dash to report there was a problem. The next thing he knew he heard a loud squealing noise and lost control of the vehicle taking him off road in a small…

Suspension · received Mar 23, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11726414

The contact owns a 2010 Mazda CX-9. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V782000 (Air Bags). The contact called the dealer and was advised to tow the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair. The contact stopped driving the vehicle due to the recall. The contact…

Air Bags · received Jan 27, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11713717

Driver side Lower control arm fail off from the ball joint

Suspension · received Oct 29, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11622620

Stiff brake pedal , more effort to stop and longer distant to stop.

Service Brakes · received Sep 13, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11614349

Other Mazda CX-9 years

← 2009 CX-9 · 2011 CX-9 →

See all Mazda CX-9 problems by year, every Mazda model, or the Mazda VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Mazda CX-9?

Owners most often report service brakes, engine, power train problems. The top one, service brakes, accounts for 88 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2010 Mazda CX-9?

Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2010 Mazda CX-9 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other CX-9 model years, the 2010 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.