MODELYEARINDEX

Mazda CX-9

538 complaints across 11 scored model years and 12 recall campaigns.

Which years to avoid

Ownership label · Mazda CX-9 Full report
F
Grade 2010–2021
2012 vs model median 2.4×
Model median3× median
Brakes 76
Engine 9
Drivetrain 6
Avoid

2011 · 2012

Best

2015 · 2017

Year by year

Severity-weighted complaints filed in each model year’s first 60 months on the road, so every year is measured over an identical window.

Year Complaint volume vs median Reports Grade
2010
1.40× 66 D
2011
1.45× 62 D
2012
2.44× 121 F
2013
0.82× 36 C
2014
0.46× 24 B
2015
0.31× 17 B
2016
1.11× 42 B
2017
0.16× 11 A
2018
1.01× 42 C
2019
0.62× 38 B
2021
1.00× 40 B
2022 P
0.26× 13 A
2023 P
0.60× 17 A

P — provisional. These years have not completed 60 months on the road, so their totals are incomplete and they are excluded from the verdict.

What it costs to run

EPA figures for the most recent model year on record.

Combined MPG23
City / Highway20 / 26
Engine2.5L, 4 cyl
Drive4-Wheel Drive
Annual fuel cost$2,650

Recalls

12 campaigns on record, 5 carrying a Park It or Park Outside warning.

Campaign Component Model years Units affected
17V429000 Park it AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 2010, 2011 205,377
15V451000 SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT 2010–2014 193,484
18V717000 Park it AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 2010–2015 155,436
21V875000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP 2018, 2019 121,038
17V457000 Park it AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 2012 79,402
18V018000 Park it AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 2010, 2013 70,227
19V782000 Park it AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 2010–2012 69,879
10V051000 SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER 2010 12,300

+ 4 further campaigns

Others in Midsize SUVs

Same body and size class. Each grade describes that model against its own history — these are not ranked against each other.

Model Years to avoid Grade
Acura MDX
20162020
C
Audi Q7
20172021
C
Audi Q8
2019
C
BMW X5
20112021
D
BMW X6
none flagged
C
Chevrolet Traverse
20102011
C
Dodge Durango
20112012
C
Dodge Journey
20142015
C

How this was calculated

Every model year is scored over an identical window: complaints filed with NHTSA during the first 60 months after that model year went on sale. Without this, older cars look worse purely because they have had longer to accumulate reports.

Limitations. Complaints are unverified reports submitted voluntarily by owners; they are allegations, not findings, and reporting rates vary between models. Model years with fewer than 60 months on the road are marked provisional and excluded from verdicts. Cross-model comparison is withheld pending production-volume data.

Full methodology · Sources · Data vintage August 9, 2026

Working 2012 CX-9
Complaints in window
121
Severity-weighted
167.5
Model median (weighted)
69
vs model median
2.44×
Recall campaigns (weighted)
10
Open investigations
0
Score 23.9 F