Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2021 Mazda CX-9. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Seat May Slide Forward in a Crash/FMVSS 210
- Summary
- 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."
- Consequence
- A seat that slides forward during a crash can transfer excessive force onto a belted occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (39)
39 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 39 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 20 | 51.3% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 15.4% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 4 | 10.3% |
| Power train | 4 | 10.3% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 10.3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 7.7% |
| Air bags | 2 | 5.1% |
| Back over prevention | 2 | 5.1% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2.6% |
| Steering | 1 | 2.6% |
How 2021 compares with other CX-9 years
Best and worst CX-9 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 54 | 3 |
| 2015 | 35 | 2 |
| 2016 | 106 | 0 |
| 2017 | 61 | 0 |
| 2018 | 128 | 2 |
| 2019 | 53 | 2 |
| 2020 | 19 | 1 |
| 2021 | 39 | 1 |
| 2022 | 10 | 0 |
| 2023 | 13 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2021 Mazda CX-9 suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 24 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,800
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 363 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 24 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 24 | $2,800 | 363 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 23 | $2,900 | 391 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2021 CX-9 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2021 Mazda CX-9 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2021 Mazda CX-9 have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 21V750000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2021 Mazda CX-9 problems?
Owners filed 39 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (20), Unknown or other (6), Forward collision avoidance (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2021 Mazda CX-9 get?
EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 22 city, 28 highway and 24 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2021 Mazda CX-9 get?
NHTSA rated the 2021 Mazda CX-9 suv fwd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (15.1% rollover risk).
How does the 2021 CX-9 compare with other years?
Among the 2014–2021 Mazda CX-9 model years at least five years old, the 2020 drew the fewest complaints (19) and the 2018 the most (128). The 2021 drew 39. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.