NHTSA (USA)CriticalDo Not Drive
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
This page covers 6 recalls, 169 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 Mazda CX-9.
19 mpg combined
12.4 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
Brake complaints dominate what owners of the 2011 Mazda CX-9 report, and the pattern is consistent: brake pedal feel degrades significantly, with many owners describing the pedal sinking toward the floor or requiring dramatically increased foot pressure to slow the vehicle. Brake booster failure comes up repeatedly as the specific culprit, often appearing without warning signs like leaking hoses. The powertrain is the second most reported system, with owners describing AWD engagement problems, the system failing to deliver traction on snow and ice while a warning light illuminates, along with some reports of unintended acceleration at low speeds. Airbag complaints round out the top three, with owners reporting spontaneous airbag deployment during normal driving, including side airbags firing without any collision.
169
Total Complaints
7
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2011 Mazda CX-9 has 6 recalls, the most serious being a defective passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
Multiple recall campaigns cover this same airbag inflator defect, and prior repair attempts on some vehicles used replacement inflators of the same flawed design, meaning the hazard was not fully resolved for those owners. Some of these filings specifically target vehicles registered or sold in high-humidity states and territories, where elevated heat and moisture accelerate the deterioration of the inflator. In all cases, the risk is the same: the inflator can rupture violently and scatter sharp metal pieces toward anyone seated in the vehicle.
The one non-airbag recall involves the front suspension. Water can seep into the lower ball joints and cause them to corrode from the inside. Over time, a corroded ball joint can separate from the lower control arm entirely, which removes the front wheel's connection to the steering and suspension system. When that happens, the driver loses the ability to steer, and the front of the vehicle can drop without warning.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator with a different design at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during a crash. This happens because the inflator's propellant degrades after years of exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace your passenger front air bag inflator with a new one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to heat and humidity.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a new one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash because the propellant degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator with a new one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can leak into the front suspension ball joint fittings, causing them to corrode and potentially fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both the left and right lower control arms at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.