2011 Mazda CX-9 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
170 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
74,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 137 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 97 of 170 complaints (57.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 98 | 57.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 8.8% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 5.9% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 1.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 97 |
| Power Train | 25 |
| Air Bags | 22 |
| Engine | 15 |
| Suspension | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 4 |
Service Brakes: 97; Power Train: 25; Air Bags: 22; Engine: 15; Suspension: 6; Electrical System: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 20 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 41 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 27 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 36 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 20; 50,000 to 74,999: 41; 75,000 to 99,999: 27; 100,000 to 149,999: 36; 150,000 and above: 4
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (41). 33 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 28 |
| 2016 | 30 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2013: 9; 2014: 20; 2015: 28; 2016: 30; 2017: 20; 2018: 16; 2019: 17; 2020: 10; 2021: 6; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 98 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10486941 · 2012-11-27 (November 27, 2012)
I HAD MY CX-9 GT DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I DROVE ON STREET AND STEPPED ON BRAKE THE PEDAL TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT. I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, BECAUSE MY BRAKE AT THIS TIME, ALL OF SUDDEN, TOOK LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE AS I EXPECTED. IT WAS A CLOSE CALL TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHILE MY BRAKING SYSTEM REACTED DIFFERENTLY. AFTER ALMOST HITTING THE CAR, I DROVE VERY CAUTIOUSLY IN A FEAR THAT I MIGHT LOSE THE CONTROL OF MY BRAKES TOTALLY; THE BAD FEELING FOR THE UNPREDICTABLE BRAKING SYSTEM REALLY PUT MY FAMILY'S SAF…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10486941 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10487938 · 2012-12-11 (December 11, 2012)
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 55,002 miles reported. Look up ODI 10487938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10522358 · 2013-06-26 (June 26, 2013)
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. THE CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING AND WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE, IT WOULD NOT MOVE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10522358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10778548 · 2015-09-29 (September 29, 2015)
HISSING NOISE WHEN PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. IF FEELS LIKE MORE FORCE IS NEEDED TO STOP VEHICLE. LOUD NOISE FROM TRANSMISSION WHEN SHIFTING FROM PART TO DRIVE/REVERSE
Owner-reported narrative. 3 miles reported. Look up ODI 10778548 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10516060 · 2013-06-10 (June 10, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-9. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE FUEL FUMES INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS CRACKED AND SEIZED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,300. UPDATED 07/30/13*LJ THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSFER CASE. UPDATED 08/01/13
Owner-reported narrative. 36,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10516060 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10780189 · 2015-10-06 (October 6, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE THEFT SYSTEM HAD TAKEN OVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE ABOUT THE PART THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEA…
Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10780189 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10758874 · 2015-08-24 (August 24, 2015)
THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO BACK THE CAR OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. AFTER MOVING THE CAR BACK AND FORTH AND SLIGHTLY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE POWER ASSIST CAME BACK. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE A TURN WITHOUT THE POWER ASSIST. THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS AND HAPPENS AT LOW SPEED OR WHEN I AM STOPPED AND TRYING TO MAKE A TURN. AS LONG AS I AM MOVING THE POWER ASSIST SEEMS TO WORK.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,585 miles reported. Look up ODI 10758874 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10909798 · 2016-09-26 (September 26, 2016)
AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A CITY STREET, I LOST ALL STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED - MAZADA THOUGHT IT WAS A SUCTION FROM THE BRAKE AND A TUBE THAT WAS BROKEN. HOWEVER IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN AS I WAS REVERSING IN A PARKING LOT. THE CAR IS NOW WITH MAZADA BEING LOOKED AT...
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10909798 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11165496 · 2019-01-06 (January 6, 2019)
OUR VEHICLE HAS WATER DRAINS OR "WEEP" LINES FOR THE SUNROOF. WE RECENTLY HAD THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STOP/START, DASH LIGHTS REMAIN ON CONSTANTLY AFTER SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY DURING THE RAIN. WE LEARNED THAT IF THE DRAINS BECOME BLOCKED THAT WATER LEAKS INTO THE CABIN DIRECTLY ONTO THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM). BECAUSE THE BCM IS NOT IN A SEALED OR WATER-PROOF CASE, YET IS SOAKED IN THESE CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE AS A RESULT. REPLACING THE BCM COSTS ABOUT $1,000. WHEN WE STARTED THE CAR THE DASH LIGHTS THAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11165496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11229676 · 2019-07-05 (July 5, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-9. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND NOTICED WATER DRIPPING FROM THE SUN ROOF INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEAK CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL SHOCK TO THE BLOWER MOTOR OF THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOU BACHRODT MAZDA COCONUT CREEK (LOCATED AT 5400 FL-7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE SUN ROOF NEEDED TO BE DE-CLOGGED. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 102,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11229676 at NHTSA ↗