2017 Mazda Cx-9 Safety Report

2017 Mazda CX-9 plagued by widespread engine failures and coolant leaks, lacking NHTSA safety ratings.

59Complaints
0Recalls
30/100Reliability Score
Most reported components: Engine (33)Unknown Or Other (4)Unknown Or Other,Engine (3)Fuel/Propulsion System (3)Suspension (3)Unknown Or Other,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System (2)Steering (1)Back Over Prevention (1)Steering,Power Train,Engine (1)Power Train (1)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Mazda Cx-9

The 2017 Mazda CX-9 exhibits a concerning safety profile primarily due to a prevalent engine defect, despite having no official recalls or crash test ratings from NHTSA. With 59 total complaints, a significant 33 (56%) are related to the ENGINE component. A recurring pattern within these complaints describes coolant leaks, cracked cylinder heads, and subsequent engine overheating or failure, often leading to complete engine replacement. Several complaints explicitly reference Mazda Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) like 01-013/21 and 01-002/23, indicating Mazda's awareness of this design flaw. While there are no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths directly linked to these issues in the NHTSA data, the sudden loss of power or overheating on highways, as described by multiple owners, poses a substantial safety risk. The lack of NHTSA safety ratings (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover are all N/A) means there's no independent government assessment of its crashworthiness. However, the high volume of engine-related complaints, particularly concerning critical failures like cracked cylinder heads and coolant leaks, suggests a significant reliability and potential safety concern. Owners report being stranded, experiencing sudden power loss, and incurring substantial repair costs, sometimes for multiple engine replacements. This consistent pattern points to a systemic issue rather than isolated incidents. In summary, while the 2017 Mazda CX-9 has no official recalls or crash test data from NHTSA, the overwhelming number of complaints regarding engine failures due to cracked cylinder heads and coolant leaks is a major red flag. This issue, often leading to overheating and loss of power, presents a clear safety hazard, despite the absence of reported injuries or crashes in the provided data. The vehicle's safety is significantly compromised by this widespread and costly engine defect.

Reliability Score

The 2017 Mazda Cx-9 receives a reliability score of 30 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.

Known Issues for the 2017 Mazda Cx-9

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Mazda Cx-9:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Cracked Cylinder Head/Coolant Leak
Numerous reports of coolant leaks originating from a cracked cylinder head, often leading to engine overheating, stalling, and requiring full engine replacement. This issue is frequently linked to Mazda TSBs.
High Common 50000-90000 miles
Engine Overheating/Failure
Directly related to the cracked cylinder head issue, vehicles experience sudden overheating, loss of power, and engine failure, sometimes while driving on highways.
High Common 50000-90000 miles
Fuel Pump Failure
Reports of fuel pump failure, with owners smelling gas inside the car prior to the failure, indicating a potentially dangerous situation.
High Occasional unknown miles
Infotainment Screen Malfunction
Infotainment screen goes black periodically, causing loss of access to backup cameras and other functions, requiring the car to be turned off and on to reset.
Medium Occasional 0-80000 miles
Spontaneous Sunroof Explosion
One report of a sunroof spontaneously exploding while driving, without any external impact.
Medium Rare unknown miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Mazda Cx-9:

Engine 56% of complaints

The most significant problem, accounting for 33 out of 59 complaints, involves coolant leaks, cracked cylinder heads, overheating, and subsequent engine failure, often requiring costly replacement.

Fuel/Propulsion System 5% of complaints

Several complaints mention issues with the fuel pump, including failure and gas odor inside the cabin.

Unknown Or Other 7% of complaints

A few complaints fall under this category, including infotainment screen issues and a spontaneous sunroof explosion.

Suspension 5% of complaints

A small number of complaints relate to suspension issues.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Mazda Cx-9

Is the 2017 Mazda CX-9 safe?

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2017 Mazda CX-9 has significant safety concerns primarily due to widespread engine failures, specifically cracked cylinder heads and coolant leaks, which can lead to sudden overheating and loss of power. While there are no reported crashes or injuries in the data, these issues pose a clear risk. The vehicle also lacks official NHTSA crash test ratings.

What are common problems with the 2017 Mazda CX-9?

The most reported issues for the 2017 Mazda CX-9 are overwhelmingly related to the ENGINE, accounting for 33 of 59 complaints. These include coolant leaks, cracked cylinder heads, engine overheating, and complete engine failure. Other less frequent problems include fuel pump issues and infotainment system malfunctions.

Are there any recalls for the 2017 Mazda CX-9?

According to the provided NHTSA data, there are no official recalls for the 2017 Mazda CX-9. However, owners frequently reference Mazda Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) regarding the prevalent engine issues, indicating manufacturer awareness of the problems.

How does the 2017 Mazda CX-9 perform in crash tests?

The 2017 Mazda CX-9 does not have official NHTSA safety ratings for Overall, Frontal, Side, or Rollover crash tests, as indicated by 'N/A' for all categories in the provided data.

What is the severity of the engine problems in the 2017 Mazda CX-9?

The engine problems, particularly cracked cylinder heads and coolant leaks, are of high severity. They often lead to engine overheating, stalling, and require expensive engine replacement, sometimes leaving drivers stranded and posing a safety risk due to sudden power loss.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Given the high frequency and severity of engine-related complaints, particularly cracked cylinder heads and coolant leaks, exercise extreme caution when considering a 2017 Mazda CX-9; a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a Mazda specialist is essential, focusing heavily on the engine's condition and service history.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Mazda Cx-9

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Mazda Cx-9. The data includes 59 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.