2011 Mazda CX-9
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 170
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 2011
Opened by NHTSA
59% of complaints
Complaints per year
2011: 170 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 67 |
| 2008 | 172 |
| 2009 | 59 |
| 2010 | 162 |
| 2011 | 170 |
| 2012 | 221 |
| 2013 | 68 |
| 2014 | 54 |
| 2015 | 35 |
| 2016 | 107 |
| 2017 | 61 |
| 2018 | 128 |
| 2019 | 53 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2021 | 39 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 13 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
59% · 100 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Mazda CX9. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 13 MPH and attempting to slow down, the brake pedal was harder than usual to depress.
NHTSA ODI report, 2020-01-02
Also filed under Air bags
Brakes failed to engage 3 times this morning, the first time failed to stop the SUV so had to swerve to the center median and slightly hit the metal barrier. Then going back home making a turn, brakes failed again to engage.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-03-31
Approaching a red light on a dry sunny day, my brakes failed halfway through coming to a stop.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-05-15
Power train
15% · 26 reportsMost commonly citing transfer case (4-wheel drive).
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-06-26
Air bags
13% · 22 reportsShow complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2011 Mazda CX-9.
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-08-01
Also filed under Vehicle speed control
Takata inflators recall? No incident to report
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-10-29
Engine
9% · 15 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Driving kids to school a few months ago. Car started to smell like burning rubber. I thought it was the garbage truck ahead of us. As we turned the corner 2 blocks later, the car dead stopped and we all went flying forward.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-26
Suspension
5% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing lower arm and control arm.
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2011Complaint volume 170 complaints filed for this model year.
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2014-02-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2014-06-26 Brake Booster Failure
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2015-06-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-08-20 Lower ball joint separation
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2015-09-14Suspension15V451000 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 CX-9 vehicles manufactured October 24, 2006, to December 28, 2013.
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.
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2017-08-30Air bags17V429000 Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles.
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.
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2018-11-09Air bags18V717000 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...
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.
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2019-05-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 2021-01-15 Inadvertent Curtain Air Bag Deployment
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2019-12-03Air bags19V782000 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles.
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2011 Mazda CX-9 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 100 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 26 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 22 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 15V451000 · Suspension
- Recall 17V429000 · Air bags
- Recall 18V717000 · Air bags
- Recall 19V782000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2011 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Mazda CX-9 is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mazda CX-9?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 59% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2011 Mazda CX-9 have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.