MazdaCX92020Overview/mazda/cx9/2020/base/

2020 Mazda CX9

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 CX9.

Transmission Automatic (S6)

The 2020 Mazda CX-9 is a three-row crossover SUV equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission (S6), achieving EPA-estimated fuel economy of 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. This model year recorded 19 owner complaints, with engine-related issues representing the primary concern among those reported, alongside a single recall. The complaint volume and focus on engine systems suggest this particular model year experienced more notable reliability reports than some contemporaries within the CX-9 lineup. For researchers evaluating vehicle dependability, the 2020 CX-9 presents a case where targeted scrutiny of engine performance and powertrain systems is warranted given the complaint distribution, though the single recall indicates the manufacturer addressed at least one identified issue through official action.

Model year20202019201820172016201520142013

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · 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 a BCI 35 · 520 CCA battery, 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.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 520 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP255/60R18 107HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · 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 engine oil, SAE J1703 · Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80-108 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 23.0 - 30.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.5 qt
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · Dot 3
Engine Coolant Capacity10.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.1 qt

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug23.0 - 30.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80-108 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts80-108 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.60 - 1.706 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeFD46XG
Oil Capacity6.09 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance520 cca

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 62.0 -; Rear: 17.0 -
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque88.0 - 95.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
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

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 80-100°20–23 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
167.0-81.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 55°-65°67–81 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)
Every 15,000 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 30,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
Every 37,500 miExhaust 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 2020 Mazda CX9 top in one area — the engine, 3 of 19 reports (16%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 1 recall campaigns target the engine, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 1 of the reports describe a crash and 0 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.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
326
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
19
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 19 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine3
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other2
Air Bags1
Back Over Prevention1
Tires1
Unknown Or Other,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Electrical System,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V750000Seats:Mid/Rear AssemblyReported 27/09/2021

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 326 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…
09-019-262026-06-17Electrical SystemThis bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are…
SA-027-26a2026-06-16Electrical SystemThis SA supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted…
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…

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 2020 CX9 take?

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

Does the 2020 CX9 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 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.