MazdaCX92018Overview/mazda/cx9/2018/base/

2018 Mazda CX9

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 CX9.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2018 Mazda CX-9 is an SUV equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission, delivering an EPA-rated 22 city, 28 highway, and 24 combined mpg. Routine servicing of its powertrain requires exactly 5.1 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, reflecting the specific fluid demands of this platform. Within the vehicle's reliability history, this model year occupies a flagged position due to 125 total owner complaints and two separate recalls. Because the engine emerges as the top complaint area, researchers should approach this iteration with an eye toward potential powertrain vulnerabilities.

Model year20202019201820172016201520142013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80-108 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/28/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 1WPY14302. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire sizeP255/60R18OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1WPY14302
Engine air filterPY8W133A0
Spark plugPY8V18110
Battery0000800035WB
Front wiper bladesTK7867330 alt TK4867330
Serpentine beltP30115908 alt PY0115909A
ThermostatP50215171
Cabin air filterTK4861J6X

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 28 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.1 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, Mazda Gear oil type SG1 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80-108 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilMazda Gear oil type SG1
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.74 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity10.5
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.1 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12-14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32-47 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80-108 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)725 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)75 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMazda
Spark Plug Gap.028 - .031 in
Spark Plug Torque12 - 14 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.60-1.70 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.09 oz

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum79.1 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum100.0 psi
Engine Compression109

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 62-; Rear: 17-
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque88-95
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.024; Rear: .354
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.055; Rear: .386
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002; Rear: .004

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1110.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 180 degrees, Step 3: 175.0-202.0110 ft. lbs
Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1110.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 180 degrees, Step 3: 175.0-202.0110 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
167.0-81.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 55 degrees-6567–81 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
167.0-81.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 55 degrees-6567–81 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 40,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Tire Pressure Monitoring System (reset)
Every 15,000 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
Every 37,500 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect)
Every 40,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2018 Mazda CX9 dominate in one area — the engine, 57 of 125 reports (46%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 2 recall campaigns target the engine, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 4 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
469
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
125
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 125 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine57
Unknown Or Other11
Power Train,Engine8
Electrical System6
Service Brakes4
Power Train3
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System3
Seats2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V875000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 12/11/2021

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and… Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4…

19V403000Electrical System:WiringReported 30/05/2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 CX-9 vehicles. The wiring harness may disrupt electrical communications and disable the passenger frontal air bag, turn signals, and/or engine starting… Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 469 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SA-041-262026-06-18Electrical SystemThis SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in…
01-008-262026-05-01Power TrainThis bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are…
SA-031-262026-04-30StructureDESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle…
SA-029-262026-04-21Power TrainThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
SA-026-262026-04-16EngineThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific CX9. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 CX9 take?

5.1 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 CX9 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the CX9 get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpg.