BestCarRank
Mazda

2015 Mazda CX-9

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2015 Mazda CX-9 has 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 78. The most common issue is engine problems (40% of all complaints), specifically: we bought this vehicle in june of 2015 and about 2 or 3 moths after i noticed that the rear driver side rotor had a deep scratch on it. they fixed it by sanding the rotor insted of replacing the rotor. next time i brought was an oil leak on the front side of the motor about 4000miles. they said that. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report 5 injuries

45

Total Complaints

2

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

18 complaints
40%
  • WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2015 AND ABOUT 2 OR 3 MOTHS AFTER I NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE ROTOR HAD A DEEP SCRATCH ON IT. THEY FIXED IT BY SANDING THE ROTOR INSTED OF REPLACING THE ROTOR. NEXT TIME I BROUGHT WAS AN OIL LEAK ON THE FRONT SIDE OF THE MOTOR ABOUT 4000MILES. THEY SAID THAT
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING 68-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, SMOKE WAS DETECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY, AND OIL WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP BLEW UP AN
  • WHILE DRIVING MY 2015 MAZDA CX-9 ON A VERY BUSY INTERSTATE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DRIVER PANEL. I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY VERY YOUNG CHILDREN, AGES 4 AND 20 MONTHS. APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES LATER, I STARTED HEARING A RATTLING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, MY CAR STALLED OU
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2015 AND ABOUT 2 OR 3 MOTHS AFTER I NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE ROTOR HAD A DEEP SCRATCH ON IT. THEY FIXED IT BY SANDING THE ROTOR INSTED OF REPLACING THE ROTOR. NEXT TIME I BROUGHT WAS AN OIL LEAK ON THE FRONT SIDE OF THE MOTOR ABOUT 4000MILES. THEY SAID THAT

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2015 Mazda CX-9

Based on 27 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 65K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
11
30-60K
2
60-100K
9
100-150K
5
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

High-mileage issuemedian 85K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
0
60-100K
4
100-150K
4
150-200K
0
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 (2)

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 2015 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 2015 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 2015 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
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 45 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2015 AND ABOUT 2 OR 3 MOTHS AFTER I NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE ROTOR HAD A DEEP SCRATCH ON IT. THEY FIXED IT BY SANDING THE ROTOR INSTED OF REPLACING THE ROTOR. NEXT TIME I BROUGHT WAS AN OIL LEAK ON THE FRONT SIDE OF THE MOTOR ABOUT 4000MILES. THEY SAID THAT

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

  • OTHER: I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW ON SEPTEMBER 18,2015. HAVING THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT 3 TIMES. I GOT HOME THE FIRST DAY AND THE BELT WAS NOT REGISTERING AND WAS MAKING NOISE WHEN I HAD IT ON. THE LAST 2 TIMES I CONTINUE TO HEAR NOISE COMING FROM THE CAR. THE NOISE IS HEAR

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

  • BRAKES: WE HAVE 2015 MAZDA CX-9 WITH 8400 MILES THAT HAS A LEAK ON THE BREAK MASTER CYLINDER. WHICH THE DEALERSHIP WAS DENYING TO BE A LEAK BECAUSE THEY SAW AN OLD DRY DEBRIS ON TOP OF THE FLUID DEPOT. BUT HAVE IT CHECKED TO AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN HAVING A SHIMMY PROBLEM WHEN BRAKING FOR

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

  • TRANSMISSION: THE TRANSMISSION OCCASIONALLY WOULD MAKE A CLUNK SOUND WHEN SHIFTING FROM N TO D. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT.

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

  • RECALLS: Verify all 2 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
45
Recalls
2
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
1
Injury reports
5
Segment avg
78

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2015 Mazda CX-9