2010 Mazda CX-9
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.

- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD GT, 4dr SUV FWD Gs
- Engines
- 3.7L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 18 combined · 16 city / 22 hwy
- Length
- 200.4 in
- Curb weight
- 4,319–4,533 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 18 MPG combined, 13% below the 2010 SUV - average of 20.7 MPG.
- Many owner complaints135 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 32 for similar models — most often about the service brakes.
- "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2010 Mazda CX-9 is a SUV - offered with a 3.7L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 200 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,533 lb (4dr SUV AWD GT).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 22 highway), 13% worse than the 2010 SUV - average of 20.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.
It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 135 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2010
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2009 CX-9 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 CX-9 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD GT | 200.4 in | 76.4 in | 68.1 in | 113.4 in | 65.4 / 65 in | 4,533 lb | 55/45 |
| 4dr SUV FWD Gs | 200.4 in | 76.4 in | 68.1 in | 113.4 in | 65.4 / 65 in | 4,319 lb | 55/45 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-9 2WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -13% | $3,700 | 494 |
| CX-9 4WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -7% | $3,950 | 523 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Mazda CX-9 under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2010 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Mazda CX-9 (this car) | 18 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe | 22 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2010 Ford Expedition | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2010 Nissan Pathfinder | 18 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2010 Honda Pilot | 19 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2010 Toyota Sequoia | 16 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
Recalls (6)
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Oct 31, 2019 Do not drive
NHTSA campaign 19V782000 · 69,879 vehicles
- Problem
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V356 and 17V012.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Oct 12, 2018 Do not drive
NHTSA campaign 18V717000 · 155,436 vehicles
- Problem
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2018 Do not drive
NHTSA campaign 18V018000 · 70,227 vehicles
- Problem
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2013 Mazda6 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2010 Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 Mazda6, CX-7, and CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 29, 2017 Do not drive
NHTSA campaign 17V429000 · 205,377 vehicles
- Problem
- Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint · Jul 20, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V451000 · 193,484 vehicles
- Problem
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 CX-9 vehicles manufactured October 24, 2006, to December 28, 2013. The affected vehicles have front suspension ball joints that may corrode from water leaking into the fitting.
- Risk
- Over time, the ball joint corrosion may result in the front lower control arm separating from the ball joint, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both the left and right lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. The recall will begin with model year 2007-2009 vehicles registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The second phase will be for model year 2010-2014 vehicles in the same states. Finally, all remaining vehicles will be remedied. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 8515G.
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler · Feb 19, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V051000 · 12,300 vehicles
- Problem
- MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CX-9 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRICALLY HEATED FRONT SEATS. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY UNDER EXTREMELY COLD CONDITIONS FOR THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL CIRCUIT TO OVERHEAT AND FAIL DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL GROUNDING.
- Risk
- THIS MAY CAUSE BURN DAMAGE OF THE SEAT CUSHION SURFACE, OR A RISK OF SMOKE/FIRE.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL GROUND HARNESS ON THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL SYSTEM. THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL CIRCUIT WILL BE REPLACED IF NECESSARY AND/OR THE SEAT WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Not every 2010 Mazda CX-9 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2010 Mazda CX-9 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
- Service Brakes — 56 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Engine — 19 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Air Bags — 17 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 100,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Mazda CX-9. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other CX-9 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 CX-9 | 23 | 199.6 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 13 |
| 2022 CX-9 | 23 | 199.6 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 11 |
| 2021 CX-9 | 24 | 199.6 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 40 |
| 2020 CX-9 | 24 | 199.6 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 19 |
| 2019 CX-9 | 24 | 199.6 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 53 |
| 2018 CX-9 | 24 | 199.6 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 128 |
| 2017 CX-9 | 24 | 199.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 61 |
| 2016 CX-9 | 24 | 199.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 107 |
| 2015 CX-9 | 19 | 201.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 35 |
| 2014 CX-9 | 19 | 201.2 in | Not rated | 3 | 53 |
| 2013 CX-9 | 19 | 201.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 58 |
| 2012 CX-9 | 19 | 200.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 188 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mazda. How we calculate this →