Decode a Mazda CX-9 VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.
VIN prefixJM3
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Mazda CX-9
About the Mazda CX-9
Mazda sold the CX-9 in the US for model years 2007–2023, across two generations. The TB came first (2007–2015), and the TC took over for 2016–2023. Across those years NHTSA lists 13 vehicle recall campaigns and 1,489 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the TB. Its 2012 and 2010 model years alone account for 416 of them, with owners bringing up brakes most often and the suspension after that. EPA rates the TB at 17–19 mpg combined, while the TC gets 23–24 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
US model years2007–2023
GenerationsTB · TC
NHTSA recall campaigns13
Owner complaints1,489 at NHTSA
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations
Mazda CX-9 generations
Two generations since the 2007 model year. The TB (2007–2015) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (9).
NHTSA has 13 campaigns on file for CX-9 model years 2007–2023, and the 2010 shows up in more of them than any other year (7), ahead of the 2009 (6). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
2019
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recall
Pick a row
What to ask
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Transport Canada recalls for these model years were checked against this list; each one matches an NHTSA campaign shown here. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Owner reports · NHTSA complaints
What Mazda CX-9 owners report
Owner summaries + NHTSA data
Complaints peak with the 2012 (221 of 1,489). Tap any bar or generation.
1,489NHTSA complaints, 2007–2023
62mention a crash
13mention a fire
40injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearTC: 429 complaints · most for the 2018 (128)
2007··2010····2015····2020···
Top complaint areas · TC
Mentions in 429 complaints, 2016–2023.
Engine and cooling237
Electrical system46
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)38
Brakes33
Fuel system24
Forward collision avoidance22
Crashes 20Fires 2Injuries 10
2016–2023 (TC)
NHTSA data summary
Engine and cooling owns this generation. Its 237 mentions are more than twice the next area, electrical system (46). Complaints peak with the 2018 (128 of 429).
Top complaint areas · TB
Mentions in 1,060 complaints, 2007–2015.
Brakes418
Suspension146
Air bags139
Engine and cooling134
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)128
Steering49
Crashes 42Fires 11Injuries 30
2007–2015 (TB)
NHTSA data summary
The 2012 is the outlier. On its own it has 221 of the TB’s 1,060 complaints (21%), more than any other CX-9 model year, and owners across the generation name brakes most often (418 mentions), then suspension (146). Of all CX-9 complaints, 71% are for the TB.
What CX-9 owners report across recent generations
Owner summary
2016–2023 (2nd generation)
Coolant loss from the turbo engine is the main theme. CarComplaints ranks coolant leaking from a cracked cylinder head first for 2016, and many NHTSA owners of the 2018 describe coolant loss, overheating and cracked cylinder heads, some ending in engine failure. CarComplaints also lists cracked or glitchy infotainment screens for 2018. Recalls cover a wiring harness on 2018 models that may disable the passenger air bag, turn signals or starting and fuel pumps on some 2018–2019 models that may fail. [1][2][3]
2007–2015 (1st generation)
Brake booster failure is the main complaint. Many NHTSA owners of the 2010 and 2012 describe a brake pedal that suddenly turns hard and a longer stop, and CarComplaints notes that Mazda extended the booster warranty on 2007–2013 models, a coverage that has now run out for most owners. Water pump and transfer case failures also appear. Recalls cover front ball joints on 2007–2014 models that may corrode and passenger front air bag inflators on 2007–2011 models that may rupture. [4][5]
✓
What to check before buying
Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the air bag inflator and ball joint recalls on older models and the wiring harness recall on 2018 models.
On a 2016 or newer, check the coolant level and ask about cylinder head repairs.
On an older model, press the brake pedal firmly with the engine running to check for a hard pedal and listen for transfer case noise.
EPA lists 32 CX-9 versions for model years 2007–2023. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 362 g/mi (2019). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
TB2007–2015
17–19 mpg · CO₂ 456–523 g/mi
TC2016–2023
23–24 mpg · CO₂ 362–392 g/mi
2023
23combined MPG
392CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,900EPA yearly fuel cost
5/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
5/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III ULEV70 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2023: 4WD · Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo — 23 MPG · 392 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
Gas
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Compare rivals
CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot
NHTSA + EPA data
Take 2016–2023. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the CX-9, against 23 for the Toyota Highlander and 28 for the Honda Pilot. Pick a range to compare.
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Mazda CX-9 VIN number location
Where to find the VIN on a CX-9
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Before completing a CX-9 purchase, locate the VIN at the lower driver's windshield and compare it to the door jamb sticker, B-pillar label, and cargo area sticker. CX-9 was discontinued after 2023, so verify the model year carefully on remaining new-old-stock inventory. The TC generation starts with the 2016 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (G for 2016) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ
Common Mazda CX-9 VIN questions
Which Mazda CX-9 model years have the most owner complaints?
The 2012 leads with 221, ahead of the 2010 (195) and 2008 (172). Those first two alone make up 28% of the 1,489 CX-9 complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
How many recalls has the Mazda CX-9 had?
NHTSA’s recall records show 13 vehicle campaigns for model years 2007–2023, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, TB leads with 9. Then come the TC (4), and a campaign can span two generations.
Which Mazda CX-9 recalls are high risk?
17V-429 and 17V-457 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 19V-782, 18V-018 and 18V-717 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 10V-051. Do-not-drive advisories came with 17V-429, 17V-457, 19V-782, 18V-018 and 18V-717. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
Which CX-9 generation am I looking at?
By US model year, the TB is 2007–2015 and the TC 2016–2023. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (G is 2016).
What fuel economy does the Mazda CX-9 get?
It varies. EPA rates the 2016–2023 TC at 23–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 17–19 mpg for the 2007–2015 TB (fueleconomy.gov).
How does the Mazda CX-9 compare with the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot on recalls?
For 2016–2023 models the CX-9 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Toyota Highlander has 23, the Honda Pilot 28. Complaints run 429, 2,474 and 5,216 in that order, with no sales adjustment.
What crash rating does the Mazda CX-9 have?
NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2023 CX-9 5 stars overall. One version, AWD, is rated.
