Carlexica

2011 Mazda CX-9: problems, recalls and reliability

4 recalls and 170 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (54% of complaints); the 2009 and 2013 model years look more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Oct 2019

4
recalls
170
owner complaints
3
fire reports
74,500
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testRollover ★★★★
One of the most complained-about CX-9 years (#3 of 15, age-adjusted)Weak spot: service brakes (54%)3 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 170 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Service Brakes (brakes)54% · 90 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)13% · 21 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)11% · 19 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)7% · 11 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)3% · 5 complaints
Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)2% · 3 complaints
The front driver-side lower ball joint suffered a catastrophic structural failure and sheared completely apart while moving. This vehicle was previously serviced under Safety Recall Campaign 15V451000 / Mazda Recall 8515G for this exact defect. The recall remedy part failed a second time, collapsing the front wheel assembly, ripping the CV axle completely out of the transmission casing, causing a hazardous transmission fluid spill, and leaving the vehicle stranded and immobilized in the middle of a live roadway in the darkOwner report · Power Train · Jun 2026
While driving the side airbags exploded and I had to stop in the middle of the street, get vehicle towed to mazda dealer in Alpharetta, GA Now, im without a vehicle. What do I do now?Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the contact lost control of the vehicle, and the front driver's side suspension lowered to the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the subframe was severely rusted, causing the control arm to detach. The contact was informed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.Owner report · Structure · Apr 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
Brake booster failure. The power assisted braking has stopped working. There are no leaking vacuum hoses and the check valve is working. The brake pedal travels to the floorboard.Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the brakes. The contact stated that the brake pedal was firm and difficult to depress while attempting to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 67,000.Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2023
The front door windows no longer work. Most recently, the drivers side back door will NOT open. The lock is completely jammed - will not open or shut, which is a safety hazard for my child. The plastic parts in this car are failing and putting my family at risk.Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2022
When getting off highway engine began to knock. Engine stalled and would not restart. Upon inspection the water pump was found to have failed and leaked engine coolant into oil. This caused engine to have a complete failure. No check engine light illuminated but when car was scanned multiple codes were found. The car was also found to have a bad Transfer Case.Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2021
I purchased a vehicle from a buy here pay here and later realized after two weeks of having the car that has a recall for the airbag on the passenger side...but the car was sold as is from auto sales in buford gaOwner report · Air Bags · Feb 2021
While driving straight on a highway the water pump bearing failed causing coolant to leak and mix with the engine oil. The car immediately started to make a rattle noise and smoke or steam came from under the hood. The underside of the car was covered with coolant and what appeared to be oil. The car was not drivable and had to be towed to a mechanic. Once at the mechanic the took the engine out to get to the water pump, once everything was put back together it was found that the failure also caused damage to the vvt actuater and alternator. The engine is completely shot.Owner report · Engine · Oct 2020
The brake pedal seems hard too stop the car when in motion on public streets, vehicle continues too roll upon pumping brakes, have too continuously pump the brake hard too stop the vehicle, had the front brakes replaced recently, and brake pedal is still not functioning correctly, possibly the brake booster.Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2020

When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 4 campaigns

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE19V782000 · Oct 2019

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.

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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE18V717000 · Oct 2018

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.

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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE17V429000 · Jun 2017

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.

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.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT15V451000 · Jul 2015

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.

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.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2011 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Engines3.7L
Drive type4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 · 4x2
Body stylesSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]

How other years compare

Check your exact CX-9 by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Mazda CX-9 reliable?

NHTSA has 170 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Mazda CX-9. The most complained-about area is service brakes (54% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2011 Mazda CX-9 problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 74,500 miles or less.

Does the 2011 Mazda CX-9 have open recalls?

4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.