Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-9
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Ford Explorer
- Total complaints
- 34,267
- Avg per model year
- 857
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 116
- Most complained year
- 2002 (3,294)
Top problems: Power Train, Structure, Steering
Mazda CX-9
- Total complaints
- 1,456
- Avg per model year
- 87
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 13
- Most complained year
- 2012 (221)
Top problems: Service Brakes, Engine, Power Train
Complaints by model year
| Year | Ford Explorer | Mazda CX-9 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 102 | 12 | ||
| 2022 | 253 | 9 | ||
| 2021 | 407 | 36 | ||
| 2020 | 1,185 | 19 | ||
| 2019 | 287 | 52 | ||
| 2018 | 716 | 125 | ||
| 2017 | 1,669 | 61 | ||
| 2016 | 2,437 | 103 | ||
| 2015 | 1,758 | 35 | ||
| 2014 | 1,672 | 54 | ||
| 2013 | 2,228 | 68 | ||
| 2012 | 822 | 221 | ||
| 2011 | 1,195 | 170 | ||
| 2010 | 115 | 195 | ||
| 2009 | 33 | 59 | ||
| 2008 | 148 | 172 | ||
| 2007 | 208 | 86 |
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.