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ProblemsByVinFile / 2011-MAZDA-CX-9NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Mazda
2011 Mazda CX-9 problems
The 2011 Mazda CX-9 has 3 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 170 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2011 Mazda CX-9 has 170 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 91 complaints, typically surfacing around 74,909 miles (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
3
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2011 CX-9?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 5.6/10 — around the segment average
4 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2011 Mazda CX-9 SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2011 Mazda CX-9? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
brakes — 91 owner reports
· tends to show around 74,909 mi · ~$450 to fix
powertrain — 21 owner reports
· tends to show around 84,689 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
airbags — 18 owner reports
· tends to show around 101,304 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
suspension — 8 owner reports
· tends to show around 112,333 mi · ~$900 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 101,304 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2011 CX-9· powertrain
My power train was supposed to be covered to 100,000 miles. When the tranfer case had to be replaced as per warning it happened at 93000 onstead of 90000 but I was told that not only eas I not covered but that the supposed warranty covered to 100000 miles was not valid either…
While driving the car on a county road, with the speed under 40 MPH, and following the bend in the road to lead to getting on the highway, the car jerked forward as if I hit something. As I continued to drive, the car was making loud clinking sounds and was jerking in motion. No…
The vehicle was identified at the dealership as having a leaking transfer case that needed to be replaced. During this replacement the transmission splines were also noted to be damaged due to the faulty transfer case. Therefore both the transfer case and transmission needed to…
Takata recall I had to put in my VIN to make an appointment for recalls & was sent a message back stating there are no recalls on my car. When I looked it up on your website it says my car is in recall for airbags and lower control arm. But according to the Mazda dealer & the…
Had a problem with your 2011 Mazda CX-9?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
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
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.6 out of 10 based on 170 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Mazda CX-9 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2011 Mazda CX-9?
The 2011 Mazda CX-9 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 5.6/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2011 Mazda CX-9?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 91 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 74,909 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2011 Mazda CX-9 a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 170 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 74,909 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Mazda CX-9?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 91 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 74,909 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 74,909 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mazda CX-9 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Mazda CX-9?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 170 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Mazda/CX-9.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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