NHTSA has 170 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Mazda CX-9[1]. The brakes group is the biggest one in the stories we read[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.
- Brakes. 99 complaints[2]. Owners describe a hissing sound when pressing the pedal, a soft pedal that sinks, and longer stops than they expected. Some say they had to pump the pedal to slow down.
- Power Train. 25 complaints[5]. Owners describe jolts when the vehicle shifts, vibration with grinding, and a stall while driving. Some stories mention a smell of burning or fuel fumes.
- Air Bags. 22 complaints[6]. Owners describe a warning light that comes on with the passenger seat occupied, and a crash where the bags did not open. Others say they waited a long time for recall parts.
- Engine. 15 complaints[7]. Owners describe flames under the hood while driving, an overheating engine, and surging that happens without touching the gas pedal.
- Suspension. 8 complaints[8].
- Electrical System. 5 complaints[9].
- Unknown Or Other. 5 complaints[10].
- Electronic Stability Control. 4 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2011 CX-9 is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V782), October 2019. About 69,879 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V717), October 2018. About 155,436 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V429), June 2017. About 205,377 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint (15V451), July 2015. About 193,484 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of steering, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2011 Mazda CX-9 with 3.7L 6-cylinder[19] | 273 to 274 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2011 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 86 | 5 |
| 2008 | 172 | 5 |
| 2009 | 59 | 6 |
| 2010 | 195 | 6 |
| 2011 | 170 | 4 |
| 2012 | 221 | 4 |
| 2013 | 68 | 4 |
| 2014 | 54 | 3 |
| 2015 | 35 | 2 |
| 2016 | 107 | 0 |
| 2017 | 61 | 0 |
| 2018 | 128 | 2 |
| 2019 | 53 | 2 |
| 2020 | 19 | 1 |
| 2021 | 40 | 1 |
| 2022 | 11 | 0 |
| 2023 | 13 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the CX-9 show 170 complaints and 4 recalls for 2011[3]. Among the 17 model years listed, 13 have fewer complaints than 2011 and 3 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2022 (11) and the most are for 2012 (221)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2011 CX-9?
The complaint record for this CX-9 is dominated by the brakes group[2]. Power train, air bags and engine follow with smaller counts[5][6][7]. Fires were named in 3 complaints and crashes in 7[1]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide to what to check. The page also lists 4 recalls for this model year[3].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mazda CX-9?
- Brakes lead the owner complaints with 99 reports[2]. Power train comes next with 25[5], then air bags with 22[6] and engine with 15[7].
- Does the 2011 Mazda CX-9 have recalls?
- Yes. The page lists 4 recalls for this model year[3]. See the Recalls section for the details.
- Is the 2011 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
- Owners filed 170 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Brakes account for the largest group[2]. These reports are unverified and not adjusted for sales.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2011 Mazda CX-9?
- See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
- How safe is the 2011 Mazda CX-9?
- See the safety section for crash test ratings. Owners also reported 7 crashes and 3 fires in their complaints[1].
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Mazda CX-9
Compare all model years of the Mazda CX-9
Other Mazda models from 2011
Similar cars from 2011: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 170 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Mazda CX-9 (7 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 99 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,203). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda CX-9 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for CX-9 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 25 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 104,585). NHTSA vehicle records
- 15 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 19V782, filed October 31, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V717, filed October 12, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V429, filed June 29, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V451, filed July 20, 2015: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for CX-9 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2011 Mazda CX-9 with 3.7L 6-cylinder: rated 273 to 274 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CX-9 4DR SUV AWD GT: length 200 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,533 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CX-9 4DR SUV FWD GS: length 200 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,319 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov