2018 Mazda CX-9
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2018 Mazda CX-9 has 165 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.1x the segment average of 78. The most common issue is engine problems (45% of all complaints), specifically: i was waiting in a stationary position, at a red light, behind some other vehicles, with my foot on the brake pedal. all of a sudden, the vehicle started to lurch forward as if someone had stepped hard on the gas pedal! i was struggling to keep the car still by depressing the brake pedal harder, bu. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
165
Total Complaints
2
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
2.1x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
74 complaints- • I WAS WAITING IN A STATIONARY POSITION, AT A RED LIGHT, BEHIND SOME OTHER VEHICLES, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LURCH FORWARD AS IF SOMEONE HAD STEPPED HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL! I WAS STRUGGLING TO KEEP THE CAR STILL BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER, BU
- • HAPPENED TO ME TWO TIMES IN PAST THREE WEEKS, WHERE I AM COMING TO A STOP, OR HARDLY MOVING, AND CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR WAS STILL TRYING TO ACCELERATE. YESTERDAY, 4/24/21 IT TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM PULLING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC
- • When I shifted into reverse the back up camera wouldn’t come on and instead a screen that said check your surroundings stayed on the screen. I reset it using the 3 button reset method and it came back on. Drove it to the grocery store, and then it sat in my driveway for 3 hours. When I went to go ba
“I WAS WAITING IN A STATIONARY POSITION, AT A RED LIGHT, BEHIND SOME OTHER VEHICLES, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LURCH FORWARD AS IF SOMEONE HAD STEPPED HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL! I WAS STRUGGLING TO KEEP THE CAR STILL BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER, BU”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2018 Mazda CX-9
Based on 25 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 19K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
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 (2)
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 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 2018 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 2018 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 165 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: I WAS WAITING IN A STATIONARY POSITION, AT A RED LIGHT, BEHIND SOME OTHER VEHICLES, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LURCH FORWARD AS IF SOMEONE HAD STEPPED HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL! I WAS STRUGGLING TO KEEP THE CAR STILL BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER, BU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: I PURCHASED A NEW MAZDA CX-9 IN SEPT 2017 BECAUSE IT HAD THE HIGHLY TOUTED SMART CITY BRAKING SYSTEM FOR WHICH I PAID THOUSANDS EXTRA. I HAD HAD A PREVIOUS REAR END COLLISION AND WANTED TO BE SURE THIS SYSTEM WOULD AT LEAST WARN ME. I SET UP SOME CARDBOARD BOXES WRAPPED IN ALUMINUM FOIL. I SLOWLY (1
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE CAR TO AN ABRUPT STOP AND I HAD NO CONTROL. THE DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH ALL TYPES OF WARNINGS AND HEAT WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: the cars engine makes loud rattling noise and slips gear. the vecicle jerks hard and feels as if transmission is slipping. car hesitates when i shift into gear, followed by a jerking and jolting into gear. my brakes are replaced frequently. mazda at 65643 miles on car found excess operating noise co
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)
Mazda CX-9 — Year Comparison
How does 2018 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 165
- Recalls
- 2
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 3
- Injury reports
- 1
- Segment avg
- 78
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2018 Mazda CX-9