The Lemon Index

All cars · Mazda CX-9 · 2011

2011 Mazda CX-9. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index82100 = average car
Complaints33NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold34,421U.S. model year
Per 100K sold96complaints
Year rank#6 of 10#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 2

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.7L 6-cylAuto (S6)FWD17 / 24 / 19Regular$3,300
3.7L 6-cylAuto (S6)4WD16 / 22 / 19Regular$3,300

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 53,300 and 103,000 miles. Median 74,000, from 137 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Brakes72,60052,600–97,00090
Transmission & drivetrain87,00052,700–110,50021
Airbags104,60061,000–147,5009
Engine81,00065,000–126,00011

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Brakes79%
Transmission & drivetrain9%
Traction control system3%
Brakes3%
Seat belts3%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
17073105

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 4

  • 19V782000 Oct 2019 Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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

  • 18V717000 Oct 2018 Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

    Defect. 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, Nebra

    Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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.

  • 17V429000 Jun 2017 Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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 a

  • 15V451000 Jul 2015 Suspension / Front / Control Arm / Lower Ball Joint

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. Over time, the ball joint corrosion may result in the front lower control arm separating from the ball joint, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.

    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, Pennsylvani

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedInadvertent curtain air bag deployment20192021
ClosedLower ball joint separation20152015
ClosedBrake booster failure20142014

Manufacturer communications 296

Mazda filed 296 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Clunk/bang noise during first forward movement after sitting
  • Some customers may report a slight clunk/bang/buzz noise or jolt from the front of the vehicle
  • One or more of the following concerns: engine surging concern when the vehicle

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Mazda CX-9 SUV AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆
Mazda CX-9 SUV FWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2008–1726,100Steering
2009–421,132Lights
20101203828,908Brakes
2011823334,421Brakes
20122016324,442Brakes
2013852624,628Suspension

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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