2020 MAZDA CX-9 Problems

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Complaints Reported

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Complaints by Component

ENGINE

3 complaints

Excessive oil consumption. In less than 3000 miles, I have to add a quart of oil

Feb 11, 2025

Some vehicles may have coolant leaks at the cylinder head around the exhaust manifold. There may be cracks at the stud bolt hole or at the outside of the exhaust manifold - from Mazda's TSB. Excessive coolant leak leading to engine-overheating and going into 'limp mode' couldn't drive faster than around 30 mph. Mazda has repeatedly declined help with goodwill requests and any further assistance. ref. https: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Aug 14, 2023

THE MAZDA CX-9 UNCOMMANDED ENGINE ACCELERATION REPORTED HEREIN DID NOT RESULT IN ANY DAMAGE PRIMARILY BECAUSE IT COMMENCED SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER I BEGAN LIGHT BRAKING WHILE APPROACHING A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. MY IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WAS TO INCREASE BRAKE PRESSURE; THERE WAS NO NEED FOR ME TO MOVE MY LEG OTHER THAN PRESSING HARDER WITH MY FOOT. MY FOOT HAD BEEN OFF THE ACCELERATOR FOR MANY SECONDS WHILE ALLOWING THE CAR TO SLOWLY DECELERATE WHILE COASTING TOWARD TRAFFIC STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WITHIN TWO SECONDS OF COMMENCEMENT OF UNCOMMANDED ENGINE ACCELERATION AND WITH THE CAR FULLY STOPPED, I SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY GENERATED THE NOISE OF VERY HIGH RPM. ALTHOUGH THE DASHBOARD INCLUDES A TACHOMETER, I DID NOT IMMEDIATELY THINK TO LOOK AT IT; INSTEAD, I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. A FEW SECONDS LATER, I SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND RESTARTED THE CAR WHICH OPERATED NORMALLY THEREAFTER. MY FOOT DID NOT MOVE OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL DURING ANY OF THE PRECEDING SEQUENCE. ONLY THE NHTSA AND POSSIBLY THE MANUFACTURER WOULD KNOW IF THIS IS A ONE IN A BILLION-HOURS OR A MORE COMMON OCCURRENCE. I AM WILLING TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THE NHTSA OR THE MANUFACTURER MIGHT HAVE. I GRADUATED FROM MIT, WORKED OVER 29 YEARS FOR THE LEADING USA COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER AND AM CURRENTLY RETIRED.

Feb 04, 2020

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

The vehicle will hesitate/stall while driving down the road. The vehicle has done this multiple times and has actually shut off on 2 different occasions while at a stop. on 2 occasions now the vehicle has not wanted to start. I have taken vehicle to Mazda dealership and they can never duplicate it. When they check for any codes, the vehicle computer does not give accurate times when happened. This last date I took it to them 6/9/25, the computer said it happened 4000 miles ago. The time before, I took it in the morning it happened, 5 min after it happened and the computer said it happened 10 starts ago. The last time, 6/9/25 they said they suspect fuel pump going bad, but until the vehicle gives a "check engine" light or dies all together they are not 100% sure. The vehicle is unsafe if it dies in the middle of the freeway/road with no warning to myself or the other vehicles around me. This has been going on for at least 1 year now, maybe longer Dealership has all records. Seeing how the 2018 & 2019 Mazda CX-9 had fuel pump recalls makes me wonder if the 2020 should have been included in this recall. This has been an on going problem.6/7/25 was most recent incident.

Jun 10, 2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

Vehicle randomly displays "smart brake system malfunction," "forward smart city brake malfunction" and " front radar system malfunction." This has been going on for at least a year. I will be driving on a highway, trying to accelerate and these messages will pop up. I'm not able to accelerate when these messages pop up and I have to turn on my hazard lights and pull over to the side of the road. The only thing that clears these warnings are for me to completely shut down my car and restart it. Luckily I have been able to get over to the side of the road on the highway without an accident, but these warning lights pop up when it's sunny out and there is no reason for the car to act the way it does. I took my car to the dealer the first time it happened and paid several hundred dollars for them to tell me that they don't know why it happened. There are several forums posted online with people having the same issues. Online posts say to make sure the sensors are clean and that the malfunction can activate if it's too hot, rainy, snowing or foggy? In my experience, it has happened only when it has been sunny. When the system decides to malfunction, the car will not accelerate, and it could make it easier for the car to be hit by another car. It's like the car just shuts down.

May 22, 2025

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

I've had it repaired for over 30+ times. I'm tired of the car not being fixed. The last visit I was told maybe its the way I drive.

May 01, 2025

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

1 complaint

The vehicle was overheating and a message came up that power will be reduced. Then it would go away and come up every 3 minutes while driving. I brought it to the service center, we filled it up with coolant and the issue kept coming back this time with a lot of white smoke coming out at vehicle start up. My mechanic said this is a bigger issue most likely to do with a coolant leak at the cylinder head. There is a technical service bulletin but no recall as of yet.

Apr 14, 2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

We were on the freeway and all of a sudden it stopped accelerating and the engine light, sensor light, and sensor warning came on. We could not accelerate, that became disabled and we had to pull over. My husband said our fluid levels were normal and he checked them all in the shoulder of the freeway. We turned the vehicle off then on again and all lights went away and we continued on. This is a safety hazard because the car would not accelerate while we were going 60 mph on the freeway. I quickly took a picture of the dash as this was happening so I can take it to the dealer.

May 14, 2023

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

While driving at freeway speed in Oregon, with 85 degrees ambient temperature and A/C inside set to 74 degrees, our CX-9 sunroof exploded outward. The sound was close to a very loud pop, and not the sound of rock/debris impact. At the time of explosion, there were no vehicles nearby and no overpasses from which an object could have dropped. The vehicle had been washed the day before and there was no visible damage to the sunroof. At the time of explosion, the sunroof and interior cover were closed. Upon stopping the vehicle (within less than one mile) inspection showed that nearly no glass fell downward, and approximately 50% of the total sunroof area had blown upward and out of the vehicle. The remainder of the shattered glass was still contained within the frame, with the edges visibly curved upward as though the glass had been pulled away from the car. There were three people in the vehicle at the time (driver, front seat passenger, and middle row passenger behind the driver). The two passengers were asleep and woke abruptly thinking we had been hit by something, as the explosive bang was followed by the sound of air rushing past the hole. There was no sound of glass rattling in the area over the sunroof cover, which seems to indicate glass had not broken inward and then blew out before stopping. I (driver) kept the cover closed and promptly pulled off the freeway to assess damage. I was unable to visit a dealer for warranty assessment due to vacation travel. A phone call to my local dealer did indicate it should be covered under warranty but it has not been inspected, this has not yet been confirmed. I rarely open the sunroof cover and have only opened the sunroof itself 3-4 times since purchase two years prior (2020). I did open the sunroof to give my son fresh air on curvy roads approximately one hour prior. No injuries, but if the cover had been opened we may have had glass falling into the cabin. No other visible or audible warnings occurred.

Jul 18, 2022

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

The passenger rear plastic wheel trim fell off with no incident/ damage

Mar 22, 2022

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

On 10/12/2021 we were driving on and urban street when the vehicle infront of us signaled and initiated a right hand turn. At that point were we traveling approximately 20 mph, and we were driving with active cruise disengaged. When we were around 150 feet behind the vehicle taking a right when our CX-9 falsely engaged the emergency braking. Our car with our whole family in it locked up the brakes and stopped in 80 feet short of the car taking a right. The vehicle behind us only managed to stop 10 feet short of hitting us in the rear. It is in the 4 people in our vehicles opinion that this operation was both terrifying and dangerous to use and those following.

Sep 17, 2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

The 2020 Mazda completely shut off following an exit from an expressway, turn under a bridge and slow down for a red light. The Mazda electrically shut off and coasted to a braked stop in the center lane of a 3 lane road. The entire electrical system went dead, no exterior lights, signals, instrument panel or radio. There was no warning, everything electrical just shut off. In a moving traffic situation the car could not maneuver or restart without being placed in PARK. (There is a history of Mazda CX 9's having a similar problem which sent the driver to the local dealership.) The car was restarted by shifting into Park and pressing the start button, all functions appeared normal as the driver moved it to a parking lot to review the situation. The driver was unable to re-create the complete shut down and finished the trip. The driver took the Mazda to the dealer following the incident and was asked to leave the Mazda for observation. The driver was notified by the dealership that the problem was being elevated to the national team for diagnosis. 10 days later the local dealer called the driver and said that they; nor the Mazda engineers in California; could reproduce the system shutting off or find any error codes. They wanted to return the car to the driver with no need for a repair. The driver spoke to the National Mazda help line and the representative was aware of the situation. The representative reiterated that engineers had been unable to find the source for the incident in the computer logs so they could not provide a remedy. The representative offered the driver the choose of a purchase buy back and a discount on the purchase of a new car.

Aug 10, 2021

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

FUEL CAP LIGHT ON IN DEC 2020. OUR CAR MILEAGE ~14,000 MILES . WE BOUGHT BRAND NEW CX9 2020 IN AUGUST. DEALER INSPECTED IT AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. DEALER REPROGRAMMED IT. A MONTH LATER JAN 1,2021, FUEL CAP LIGHT IS ON ON AGAIN. WE IGNORED IT THINKING IT IS ANOTHER PROGRAM ISSUE. CAR STARTED TO JERK AND VIBRATE AT STOP SIGN. WE BROUGHT TO DEALER THE NEXT DAY. DEALER SAID CHARCOAL BOX IS LEAKING. I THOUGHT CHARCOAL BOX SHOULD LAST A LIFE TIME. THEY SAID IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY: $680 LATER, THE JERKING/VIBRATING ISSUE IS FIXED. HOPEFULLY THAT IS IT SINCE WE ONLY HAVE THE CAR FOR 5 MONTHS

Feb 01, 2021

4.5/5.0

96 reviews

Where to Find VIN for Problems Check

To check for problems and complaints on your 2020 MAZDA CX-9, you'll need the VIN number. Find your VIN in one of these 4 common locations.

Where to Find VIN Number on 2020 MAZDA CX-9 for Problems Lookup - Dashboard, Door Jamb, Engine Bay, Documents

Understanding VIN Structure for Problem Reports

Each character in your 2020 MAZDA CX-9 17-digit VIN helps identify specific complaints and problems affecting your vehicle model.

2020 MAZDA CX-9 VIN Structure for Complaint Verification - WMI, VDS, Check Digit, Model Year, Plant Code

How to Check 2020 MAZDA CX-9 Problems in 3 Steps

Locate Your VIN

Find the 17-character VIN on your 2020 MAZDA CX-9 dashboard (visible through windshield), door jamb, engine bay, or vehicle documents.

Review by Component

Browse owner-reported complaints organized by vehicle component (engine, transmission, brakes, electrical) to identify common issues and problem patterns for this model year.

Check Safety Issues

Review crash and fire incidents for each component to assess safety concerns. Contact your MAZDA dealer or report problems to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2020 MAZDA CX-9 have?

The 2020 MAZDA CX-9 currently has 13 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2020 MAZDA CX-9?

The most common problems reported for the 2020 MAZDA CX-9 are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2020 MAZDA CX-9 problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2020 MAZDA CX-9 comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

How do I report problems with my 2020 MAZDA CX-9?

You can report safety problems with your 2020 MAZDA CX-9 directly to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov or call 1-888-327-4236. Your complaint helps identify patterns and may lead to recalls or investigations.

Where can I find my VIN to check problems?

Your 2020 MAZDA CX-9 VIN is located in 4 places: (1) Dashboard near windshield on driver's side, (2) Driver's door jamb sticker, (3) Engine bay, (4) Vehicle registration and insurance documents.

Is the 2020 MAZDA CX-9 reliable?

Reliability can be assessed by reviewing the number and severity of owner complaints for the 2020 MAZDA CX-9. Check complaints by component, crash reports, and fire incidents above to evaluate potential issues and problem patterns.