SO we have a 2013 CX9 Touring no navi and have all the same very annoying issues. My wife has a USB stick with about 500+ songs, and every time she starts the car has to listen to song number 1 which is some Alicia Keys song! She then has to either switch to shuffle mode (which as one user noted does not really shuffle the whole list of songs but seems to repeat the first 45 or so) or fast forward, or switch to album setting, where it plays the album, but if it finishes the album restarts it! And of course on the way home, has to do this all over again....She loves the car but this (and the bluetooth not downloading her phonebook) are very annoying, especially in a brand new $30k plus vehicle, that Mazda touts with as having a great interface with the touch screen etc. I hate to get down on the entire car, but honestly you use the stereo system alot! And Mazda could do better so easily. I am hoping for a software upgrade (but think it is doubtful) or maybe if enough complaints they will replace the head unit? Dreaming, I know..... I am going to send email to Mazda as well as talk to my dealer, they can give feedback to Mazda on the sales side too hopefully will help. We came out of a 2005 Honda Pilot in which I had installed an aftermarket touchscreen navigation, etc unit that was about $600 and far outperformed the stock new Mazda unit. And the songs picked up where you left off!
