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2020 Mazda CX-9 engine problems

5 owner reports

This is a safety-related system. If you notice symptoms, stop driving and have it inspected.

What owners report

  • “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, …”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 06/10/2025

  • “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.”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 04/14/2025

  • “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.…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 08/14/2023

  • “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. WITHI…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 02/04/2020

Unverified owner reports from NHTSA's public complaint database.

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How common are 2020 Mazda CX-9 engine problems?
5 owners reported engine issues to NHTSA for the 2020 Mazda CX-9. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Is there a recall for 2020 Mazda CX-9 engine problems?
No matching recall is on file. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest.

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