VehicleVerdict

2011 Mazda CX-9 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 209 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.7 times the median CX-9 year — the 2011 model ranks #4 of 17 CX-9 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 48% of all reports (100 of 209), far ahead of transmission at 26.

209

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

3

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other CX-9 years?

See all CX-9 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Mazda CX-9 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes10048%
Transmission2612%
Airbags2211%
Engine157%
Electrical System115%
Suspension84%
Other52%
Tires & Wheels42%
Steering42%
Speed Control42%
Lighting31%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Seat Belts21%
Body & Structure10%
Seats10%
Fuel System10%

Does the 2011 Mazda CX-9 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V782000AirbagsOctober 31, 2019 · 69,879 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V356 and 17V012.

18V717000AirbagsOctober 12, 2018 · 155,436 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

17V429000AirbagsJune 29, 2017 · 205,377 units

Defect

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.

15V451000SuspensionJuly 20, 2015 · 193,484 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 CX-9 vehicles manufactured October 24, 2006, to December 28, 2013. The affected vehicles have front suspension ball joints that may corrode from water leaking into the fitting.

Consequence

Over time, the ball joint corrosion may result in the front lower control arm separating from the ball joint, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both the left and right lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. The recall will begin with model year 2007-2009 vehicles registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The second phase will be for model year 2010-2014 vehicles in the same states. Finally, all remaining vehicles will be remedied. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 8515G.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND TO TYPICAL PRESSURE REQUIRED TO STOP... WHEN I PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE STARTING TO ENGAGE, HOWEVER I COULD NOT GET THEM TO FULLY ENGAGE AND STOP IN TIME TO AVOID REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I TOOK EVASIVE ACTION AND JUMPED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 24, 2015 · crash

2011 MAZDA CX-9. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION/TRANSFER CASE FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, IT WAS PUT OUT BEFORE ANY EXCESSIVE DAMAGE WAS DONE. THE CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 17, 2013 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-9. ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS IDLING. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND BOTH FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTOBODY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 26, 2015 · crash

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 77, NORTH BOUND, AT 55MPH, OTHER MOTORISTS INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE UNDERNEATH. THERE WERE NO DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS OR SIGNALS THAT CAME ON IT LIGHT UP AS A WARNING SIGN. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE PUT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 15, 2014 · fire

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 77, NORTH BOUND, AT 55MPH, OTHER MOTORISTS INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE UNDERNEATH. THERE WERE NO DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS OR SIGNALS THAT CAME ON IT LIGHT UP AS A WARNING SIGN. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE PUT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 15, 2014 · fire

2011 Mazda CX-9 — common questions

Is the 2011 Mazda CX-9 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 209 complaints put the 2011 model at #4 of 17 CX-9 years. It is one of the CX-9 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 CX-9 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (100 complaints), transmission (26 complaints), airbags (22 complaints).

Does the 2011 Mazda CX-9 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Mazda CX-9. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 Mazda CX-9 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mazda CX-9 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CX-9 years to avoid are 2012, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2018, 2016, 2007. The cleanest record among CX-9 years belongs to 2022.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.