2018 Mazda CX-9 problems and complaints

Owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Mazda CX-9. The most-reported areas: Engine (76), Unknown Or Other (19), Electrical System (15).

Key takeaways

  • 128 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 4 involve a crash, 1 a fire, 2 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine7659%
Unknown Or Other1915%
Electrical System1512%
Power Train1310%
Service Brakes119%
Fuel/Propulsion System54%
Forward Collision Avoidance43%
Visibility/Wiper32%
Back Over Prevention32%
Steering32%
Seats22%
Engine And Engine Cooling22%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2018 Mazda CX-9 SUV FWD5/54/55/54/5
2018 Mazda CX-9 SUV AWD5/54/55/54/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Engine - filed 2026-09-17

While driving at highway speed in heavy rain the oil light suddenly came on followed within 30 seconds by an urgent need to immediately stop the car due to overheating. There was no radiator fluid left due to the sudden and catastrophic structural failure caused by a known manufacturing defect. Mazda calls it csp-11. T...

Engine - filed 2026-09-15

My 2018 Mazda Cx-9 equipped with the skyactiv-g 2.5T developed a serious cylinder-head/cooling-system failure. The vehicle began to lose coolant with no apparent external leak and subsequently displayed and engine -overheating warning. It continued to lose coolant after a flush. The Mazda dealership inspected the vehic...

Engine - filed 2026-08-08

I was driving home from work and may car started overheating out of nowhere. I was stuck in traffic and white smoke was exiting my exhaust. I pulled over and all of my coolant leaked out of my car. Took it the shop and they said I had a cracked head and need a whole new engine. I seen that there was a warranty sent out...

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More for the 2018 Mazda CX-9

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.