
2013 Mazda CX-9
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
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.
80
Total Complaints
4
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
17 complaints- • 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
“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.
AIR BAGS
OTHER
BRAKES
ENGINE
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)
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 pricesBased 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 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Mazda CX-9
How this estimate is calculated
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
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
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
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)
Mazda CX-9 — Year Comparison
How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
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