The 2021 Mazda CX-9 presents a mixed reliability picture, primarily centered around seat safety concerns which may compromise occupant protection during collisions. With complaints reaching notable levels, particularly regarding seating, vigilance is warranted.
Key Factor:Seat safety issues
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Standard Safety Record
The 2021 CX-9 maintains a standard safety record for MAZDA, with 1 recall documented.
1 recall for this vehicle1.1 avg. recalls per vehicle (brand)
๐Why This Matters
In the highly competitive midsize SUV segment, where families often prioritize safety and reliability above all else, the presence of issues related to seating can signal deeper structural weaknesses. The recall concerning the second-row seats' ability to remain secured in a crash raises significant questions about Mazda's engineering integrity during a time when the market expects uncompromised safety features as standard. This recall not only highlights potential risks during collision scenarios but also jeopardizes consumer trust in a brand known for its commitment to quality and driving pleasure.
Moreover, with complaints totaling 33 and focusing predominantly on seating systems, current owners and prospective buyers should approach this vehicle with heightened caution. The implications extend beyond immediate usability; they touch upon Mazdaโs legacy of durability and reliability forged over decades. A failure to rectify such fundamental issues could tarnish what has been a respected brand image within the automotive landscape.
Focus Area:Safety Profile
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Expert Analysis
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Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
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Primary Risk Area:Warning
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Vs Brand: Better than avg (1.1)
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Summary: When examining the year-over-year safety trends for Mazda's offerings, it becomes evident that while some models have maintained commendable reliability figures, others like the CX-9 demonstrate concerning vulnerabilities that diverge from consumer expectations. The highlighted issues indicate that while Mazda is pushing innovative boundaries, they must also safeguard their reputation by addressing these critical defects effectively.
Safety & Reliability Score
90/100
Score Breakdown
Recall Impact-8
Complaint Impact-1.65
Investigation Impact-0
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2021 MAZDA CX-9
Model Year2021
MakeMAZDA
ModelCX-9
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle
Safety History Timeline
Jan21
NEWProduction
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Feb21
ISSUEFirst Report
Consumer Complaint Analysis
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Most Reported Issue
8 complaints (24% of total)
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Complaint Trend
Stable
No trend data
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Safety Incidents
No critical incidents
Complaint Severity Distribution
Breakdown of 33 consumer complaints by severity level.
๐ High
4(12%)
๐กMedium
10(30%)
๐ขLow
19(58%)
Mileage Failure Analysis
โ๏ธEngineering Insight
With peak failure occurrences identified between 0-20k miles and an average failure mileage of approximately 21,188 miles, owners should be especially vigilant early in their vehicle's lifespan. This suggests that significant problems may manifest shortly after purchase; thus, routine inspections for seat integrity are essential within this initial ownership period.
๐ Mileage data extracted from 14 of 33 complaints (42% coverage)
0-20k
10 reports (71%)
20k-40k
0 reports (0%)
40k-60k
2 reports (14%)
60k-80k
2 reports (14%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.
๐ ๏ธ DIY Diagnosis Center
Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).
Primary Risk Areas
SEATS
๐ฏRisk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
1
Seats
Issue: Left-side second-row seat may slide forward unexpectedly during crashes.
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Regularly inspect seat mechanisms for any signs of looseness or failure.
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Verify recall status and ensure repairs have been completed at the dealership.
Campaign:21V-209
๐กVisit NHTSA.gov or contact your MAZDA dealer to verify recall completion status.
Official Safety Recalls (1)
Campaign: 21V750000
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
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Summary
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CX-9 vehicles equipped with 60/40 split bench second-row seats. The left-side second-row seat may unexpectedly slide forward during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Consequence
A seat that slides forward during a crash can transfer excessive force onto a belted occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the internal parts of the affected second-row seats, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5221I.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Investigations
0 investigations
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No active investigations for this vehicle.
Consumer Complaints
33 total complaints
Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 CX-9.
Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis
Warning24%
Burn12%
Accident9%
Noise6%
Acceleration Issues6%
Battery6%
Leak6%
Safety Systems๐ถ Medium
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Backup camera shows three to four feet before red collision line is not accurate causing severe damage to my garage door.
Engine/Powertrainโ ๏ธ High
POWER TRAIN
My vehicle is part of Mazda's 2021-2022 Mazda Valve Stem Seal Settlement. The dealership had yet to call me in for the repair of said valve seal repair as I was on a list. The settlement is suppose to extend out the powertrain warranty on the vehicle 2 years/24,000 to 7 years/84,000. My vehicle has 60,083 miles on it. One of the cylinders on my vehicle lost compression. The dealership and Mazda both say they will not cover the cost for repair as they only are covering things in the powertrain relate to oil consumption. The cylinders are part of the powertrain and carbon buildup from excessive oil burning because of the defective seal causes valve damage or sticking which will cause compression loss. Mazda is actively denying what they agreed to in the settlement and costing people money for repairs that should be covered.
Otherโ ๏ธ High
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My MazdaCx9 engine consumes (burns) an excessive amount of oil, necessitating frequent top-offs between oil changes.This issue started after the first oil change and continued since then.
Safety Systems๐ถ Medium
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
On [XXX], [XXX], [XXX] I was driving on an interstate highway with a 65 mph speed limit with no warning and received the following codes which slowed the vehicle to the limp mode. 1) Smart Brake Support and Forward Obstruction Warning 2) Activsense system malfunction 3) Front Radar Sensor Malfunction 4) Engine Malfunction 5) Dynamic Stability Control Malfunction I reported all three incidents to the dealer and no codes were left and the dealership had no solution for the problem. They suggested dirt, sunlight, or blowing debris caused it, but that was not the case. Luckily the first two incidents happened with little or no traffic around but the third was during rush hour and almost caused a major accident trying to get off the highway. I shut the car off, restarted and the problem resolved no lights left on or warnings appearing all three times. Contacted Mazda several times and all representatives at the dealership and California Headquarters claim no knowledge of this happening. I found a few others reporting the same issue and wanted to report this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Brakes๐ต Low
SERVICE BRAKES
Hello, I have been to a Mazda dealer complaining of clicking and squeaky brakes for 2 years now. Dealer replaced both front and back breaks and rotors around 22k year ago and to my surprise the issues persist, currently vehicle is at 49k. There is a TSB( 04-001/22) out for my vin and year, so they know its a manufacturing defect and all they do is throw white break grease and a month later the noise is there again when breaking , backing up. I am not the only one, people of reddit confirm this and so does a general google search. Besides that i love the car and the dealer was super cool about it all but I'm sorry, this is unacceptable, Every time i go get an oil change i ask about a fix and nothing.
Other๐ต Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Please add the 2021 CX9 model to the following bulletin. [XXX] This is exactly what is happening with my car and is extremely frustrating that a recall has not been issued to fix the problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering/Suspension๐ต Low
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and turning, there was a popping sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The front-end popping sound also occurred while driving over bumps in the roadway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,811.
Engine/Powertrain๐ต Low
ENGINE
Car loses oil and coolant rapidly
Engine/Powertrain๐ถ Medium
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while accelerating quickly and entering the highway, there was no motive power to the vehicle. While crossing the highway in the right lane, driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle in front moved over; there was a parked vehicle. The contact was able to stop the vehicle before causing a crash. The driver was starting to accelerate, but there was no motive power when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The smart brake system malfunction message was displayed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, who scheduled an appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact to have the vehicle diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 53,186.
Engine/Powertrain๐ต Low
ENGINE
Consumes over 2 quarts of oil between recommended oil changes. The dealer made excuses about needing to use a different oil but it has not improved the problem. The warning light for low oil went off after less than 3000 miles. It was 2 quarts down.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common problems reported with the 2021 Mazda CX-9?
Commonly reported issues with the 2021 Mazda CX-9 include concerns about seat stability during collisions as noted in a recent NHTSA recall. Additionally, there are numerous complaints related to HVAC system performance and engine-related noises that could indicate early wear or misdiagnosis.
How does the recall history affect the resale value of the Mazda CX-9?
A vehicle's recall history significantly influences its resale value; potential buyers often perceive recalls as indicators of underlying quality issues. For the CX-9 specifically, ongoing concerns about seating can deter buyers who prioritize safety features highly, potentially impacting market demand and resale prices.
๐Year-over-Year Context
โก๏ธStable Pattern
Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.
๐งญWhat This Means for You
Families with young passengers, pregnant drivers, or those with frequent highway commutes should prioritize this information.
If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.
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If You Own This Vehicle
Immediate Action: If any recalls are listed as 'incomplete', contact a certified MAZDA service centerโrepairs are performed at no cost to you.
Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
Proactive tip: Enroll in MAZDA's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used
Request the VIN from the seller and verify the 'Clean' recall status via NHTSA.
This specific CX-9 year is noted for its strong reliability foundations.