Mazda · CX-9 · 2021
2021 Mazda CX-9
1
Recall
33
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2021 Mazda CX-9 has 1 recall and 33 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (15 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2021 Mazda CX-9 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 15 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2021 Mazda CX-9 currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 33 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (15), unknown or other (3), service brakes (2).
- Vehicle
- 2021 Mazda CX-9
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 33
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
15.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: Standard
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 21V750000September 27, 2021
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
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."
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
33 totalBACK OVER PREVENTION
CRASHDec 8, 2025
Backup camera shows three to four feet before red collision line is not accurate causing severe damage to my garage door.
POWER TRAIN
May 22, 2025
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,...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 11, 2024
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.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Sep 3, 2024
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 R...
Preview excerpt
SERVICE BRAKES
Aug 26, 2024
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 ...
Preview excerpt
SUSPENSION
Aug 15, 2024
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 i...
Preview excerpt
ENGINE
Jan 1, 2024
I just purchased this vehicle 2 months ago. Yesterday my oil light came on, I pulled over and checked the oil it was completely low. I had to put a quart of oil in it. After that I did some research and learned this seems to be an issue with some 2021 models the cx9 included. The...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dec 29, 2023
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. 55...
Preview excerpt
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
CRASH1 injuryOct 10, 2023
I was in a parking lot and came to a stop and placed the car in reverse to back into a parking space. The back-up camera was on and I began to back into the parking space when the car suddenly lurched/jerked forward and accelerated on its own. The car jumped the parking lot medi...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Oct 4, 2023
6/29/2023--Vehicle stopped suddenly with i-ACTIVESENSE system malfunction, Dynamic Stability Control malfunction, Engine malfunction, engine output reduced, Front radar sensor malfunction. Dealer said these faults due to bad battery--replaced battery per Service Manager [XXX] at...
Preview excerpt
Showing 10 recent complaints from 33 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2021 Mazda models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Mazda CX-9 Years
2022 Mazda CX-9Compare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.9c2020 Mazda CX-9Compare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.1r16c2023 Mazda CX-9Compare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.10c2019 Mazda CX-9Compare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.2r50c2018 Mazda CX-9Compare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.2r122c2017 Mazda CX-9Compare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.59c
More 2021 Mazda Models
2021 Mazda CX-5Another 2021 Mazda option for same-year comparison.132c2021 Mazda CX-30Another 2021 Mazda option for same-year comparison.2r94c2021 Mazda Mazda3Another 2021 Mazda option for same-year comparison.1r49c2021 Mazda Mazda6Another 2021 Mazda option for same-year comparison.17c2021 Mazda CX-3Another 2021 Mazda option for same-year comparison.1r3c2021 Mazda MX-5 MiataAnother 2021 Mazda option for same-year comparison.1r1c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Mazda CX-9 have?
The 2021 Mazda CX-9 has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2021 Mazda CX-9?
NHTSA has received 33 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Mazda CX-9.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Mazda CX-9?
The 2021 Mazda CX-9 received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Mazda CX-9?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2021 Mazda CX-9 are engine (15 reports), unknown or other (3 reports), service brakes (2 reports).
Does the 2021 Mazda CX-9 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2021 Mazda CX-9. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.