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Mazda

2013 Mazda CX-9

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Mazda CX-9 has 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 78. The most common issue is engine problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: the vehicle was being driven at the time on a busy city street. we noticed some noises which was sounding like metal clanking. this became louder immediately in the span of 5mins and the temperature sensor went off on the dashboard. the vehicle was becoming unresponsive to brakes in the middle of co. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 5 crash reports 4 injuries

80

Total Complaints

4

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

17 complaints
21%
  • THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT THE TIME ON A BUSY CITY STREET. WE NOTICED SOME NOISES WHICH WAS SOUNDING LIKE METAL CLANKING. THIS BECAME LOUDER IMMEDIATELY IN THE SPAN OF 5MINS AND THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR WENT OFF ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS BECOMING UNRESPONSIVE TO BRAKES IN THE MIDDLE OF CO
  • THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT THE TIME ON A BUSY FREEWAY. WHEN STARTED OVERHEATING WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE THEN CUT OFF ON FREEWAY WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AT A FAST SPEED. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO SHOULDER. TOWED CAR TO SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT MAZDA HAS FAULTY WATER PUMPS AND THAT MY ENG
  • WATER PUMP CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO MIX WITH MOTOR OIL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO HAVE TO BE REPLACE ON THREE OCCASIONS WITHIN 6 MONTHS
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT THE TIME ON A BUSY CITY STREET. WE NOTICED SOME NOISES WHICH WAS SOUNDING LIKE METAL CLANKING. THIS BECAME LOUDER IMMEDIATELY IN THE SPAN OF 5MINS AND THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR WENT OFF ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS BECOMING UNRESPONSIVE TO BRAKES IN THE MIDDLE OF CO

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Mazda CX-9

Based on 51 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 53K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
13
30-60K
16
60-100K
15
100-150K
4
150-200K
3
200K+
0

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 25K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
2
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
1
200K+
0

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 38K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
1
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BRAKES

Later than typicalmedian 59K mi · 14 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
5
60-100K
6
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

Later than typicalmedian 89K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
1
60-100K
5
100-150K
2
150-200K
1
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE12/10/2018

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Mazda CX-9

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,527
Per month
$211
Per mile
21.1¢
MPG
19
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,824/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$2,001/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Mazda CX-9

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,585
Full coverage / month
$132
Liability only / year
$626
vs US avg
-5%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating0.98x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1585

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mazda CX-9 Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
120K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

SkyActiv-G naturally aspirated engines. AWD models need transfer case and rear differential service every 60K.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mazda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Mazda. If you're buying a used 2013 CX-9, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mazda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
SUSPENSION(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 80 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT THE TIME ON A BUSY CITY STREET. WE NOTICED SOME NOISES WHICH WAS SOUNDING LIKE METAL CLANKING. THIS BECAME LOUDER IMMEDIATELY IN THE SPAN OF 5MINS AND THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR WENT OFF ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS BECOMING UNRESPONSIVE TO BRAKES IN THE MIDDLE OF CO

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BRAKES: WHILE DRIVING MY 2013 CX9 I NOTICED THE BRAKES REQUIRED EXTREME FORCE TO ENGAGE AND I HEARD A HISSING SOUND WHEN I ENGAGED MY BRAKES. SINCE I HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES ON MY 2010 MODEL, I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY ARE CURRENTLY REPAIRING THE BRAKES UNDER WARRANTY.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: THE VOICE ACTIVATED NAVIGATION FEATURE ON THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AND BECOMES INOPERABLE WHEN STOPPING OR ACCELORATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE VOICE ACTIVATED FEATURE ONLY WORKS WHILE IN ONE LONG CONTINUOUS MOTION WHICH DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF THE HANDS-FREE VOICE ACTIVATED NAVIGATION AND MAKES

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEACTIVATED WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A PASSENGER OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING UP TO SPECIFICATIONS

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Mazda dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
80
Recalls
4
Fire reports
1
Crash reports
5
Injury reports
4
Segment avg
78

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2013 Mazda CX-9