2011 Mazda CX-9 Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Mazda CX-9.

20102012
Complaints
207
Crashes
10
Fires
5
Injuries
2
Fatalities
Recalls
4

Worst 2011 Mazda CX-9 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#197 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:73,326 mi
Crash-related:4
#224 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:83,558 mi
Fires:1
#322 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:100,271 mi
Crash-related:4
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 Mazda CX-9.

Brakes
97
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
73,326
Transmission / Drivetrain
24
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
83,558
Airbags
22
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
100,271
Engine Problems
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
81,304
Electrical Faults
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
68,018
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
92,000
Electronic Stability Control
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Electrical:Anti-Theft Devices
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front:Control Arm
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Fan/Motor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 Mazda CX-9. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2011 Mazda CX-9

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~624,176 vehicles.

19V782000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~69,879 affected

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.

18V717000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~155,436 affected

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.

17V429000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~205,377 affected

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.

15V451000Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
~193,484 affected

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.

Other Mazda CX-9 Years

2011 Mazda CX-9 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2011 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2011 Mazda CX-9 has 207 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Brakes with 97 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2011 Mazda CX-9?
Top reported problems: Brakes (97 complaints, avg 73,326 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (24 complaints, avg 83,558 mi); Airbags (22 complaints, avg 100,271 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 Mazda CX-9?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 79,426 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2011 Mazda CX-9?
NHTSA complaints for the 2011 Mazda CX-9 include 10 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2011 Mazda CX-9 have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 624,176 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2011 Mazda CX-9?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Mazda CX-9 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2011 Mazda CX-9

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