2020 Mazda CX-9 Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Updated on August 25th, 2023 Author: Brian Jones

The 2020 Mazda CX-9 is a three-row SUV designed for families. The company’s slogan is “driving matters,” but it seems Mazda didn’t put enough energy into making this a model worth driving anywhere. It seems to suffer from a defective engine and a faulty electrical system.

Click on other model year to view more problems: 2018   2019   2021

NHTSA Complaints for the 2020 Mazda CX-9

Problems with the Engine

By far, the most important part of the vehicle is the engine. With this SUV, the engine is what is most disappointing to some customers.

Here is an NHTSA complaint. “The Mazda CX-9 uncommanded engine acceleration reported herein did not result in any damage primarily because it commenced several seconds after I began light braking while approaching a red traffic light. My immediate response was to increase brake pressure; there was no need for me to move my leg other than pressing harder with my foot. My foot had been off the accelerator for many seconds while allowing the car to slowly decelerate while coasting toward traffic stopped at a red light. Within two seconds of commencement of uncommanded engine acceleration and with the car fully stopped, I shifted the transmission into Neutral. The engine immediately generated the noise of very high RPM. Although the dashboard includes a tachometer, I did not immediately think to look at it; instead, I turned the ignition off. A few seconds later, I shifted the transmission into Park and restarted the car which operated normally thereafter. My foot did not move off the brake pedal during any of the preceding sequence.”

While this engine issue should have received a lot of fanfare from the automaker, nothing has been said. Instead, the communications look more like this. Service Bulletin #09-005-20-3653 discusses an engine-related concern where vehicles have a rattling noise coming from the front of the vehicle. This noise is caused by loose cowl panel bolts. While this is important to note, it’s not nearly as concerning as the above complaint. If driving matters, these are situations that Mazda would address.

Problems with the Electrical System

On top of the engine failures, the electrical system is also getting a lot of negative attention. 

Here is one Edmunds review. “The worst thing is the navigation. I can’t zoom once moving, I can’t use touchscreen at all and the knob is limited. Ultimately, I don’t understand why you get a bigger screen along with bigger fonts.”

Again, this concern isn’t being discussed. Instead, Service Bulletin #SSPC2b talks about the power liftgate control unit that might switch into a power saving mode when the push button start is used. This is caused by incorrect logic of the PLG Control Unit. If this occurs and isn’t noticed, the battery could completely discharge, leaving owners without a way to work and school the next day. Basically, Mazda is saying “driving matters,” but only if the vehicle starts in the first place. Otherwise, owners are out of luck.

Your Lemon Law Legal Rights

Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Mazda pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.

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