2015 Mazda Cx-9 Safety Report

The 2015 Mazda CX-9 presents a mixed safety picture, with strong crash test performance but a concerning pattern of engine-related complaints and a critical recall. NHTSA awarded the vehicle an overall 4-star safety rating, including a 5-star rating for side impact and a 4-star rating for rollover. However, its frontal crash rating was only 3 stars, indicating moderate protection in head-on collisions. The vehicle has accumulated 35 total complaints, with 1 crash, 0 fires, and 5 injuries reported, suggesting that while incidents are not extremely frequent, they can lead to harm. A significant safety concern stems from the two recalls issued for this model. One recall addresses a critical issue with the passenger-side frontal airbag inflator module, which, if it explodes, can cause serious injury or death due to metal fragments. The other recall, while primarily for other Mazda models, also mentions steering issues that could lead to a loss of control and increased crash risk. These recalls highlight potential severe safety defects that owners should ensure have been addressed. The most prevalent complaint pattern revolves around the ENGINE, accounting for 11 out of 35 complaints (31%). Many of these complaints detail sudden engine failure, overheating, water pump failure leading to coolant mixing with oil, and subsequent engine destruction. This recurring issue, often described as a 'known issue by Mazda' in complaints, poses a significant safety risk as it can lead to sudden loss of power while driving, as reported in multiple instances, including one crash and several near-misses with children in the vehicle. Other notable complaints include exterior lighting issues (melting wiring harnesses) and service brake problems, though less frequent than engine failures. In summary, while the 2015 Mazda CX-9 performs well in side and rollover crash tests, the persistent and severe engine issues, particularly water pump failures causing sudden power loss, coupled with a critical airbag recall, present substantial safety concerns. Prospective buyers should be aware of these documented problems and verify all recall repairs have been completed.

Our recommendation: Given the critical airbag recall and prevalent, severe engine failures reported, thoroughly verify all recall completions and have a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection focusing on the engine and cooling system before buying a 2015 Mazda CX-9.