← New search

2011 Mazda CX-9

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most CX-9 years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Mazda CX-9 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 61.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all CX-9 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

137 reports with mileage · 33 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

97 reports
Clear category filter
42,300 miles · Aug 25, 2015
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED THERE WAS A HISSING SOUND AND THE BRAKES WERE HARD TO PRESS. REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE I APPLIED TO THE BRAKES THEY DID NOT REACT AND IT TOOK THE VEHICLE LONGER TO SLOW DOWN EVEN AT VERY LOW SPEEDS (5-10 MPH) OR FASTER. THIS CAME ON SUDDENLY AND CAUSED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN…

Read full complaint

WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED THERE WAS A HISSING SOUND AND THE BRAKES WERE HARD TO PRESS. REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE I APPLIED TO THE BRAKES THEY DID NOT REACT AND IT TOOK THE VEHICLE LONGER TO SLOW DOWN EVEN AT VERY LOW SPEEDS (5-10 MPH) OR FASTER. THIS CAME ON SUDDENLY AND CAUSED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. THE MAZDA TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLES AND COMPLETED A DIAGNOSTICS OF THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER HAVE FAILED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10759279

72,246 miles · Jul 26, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

ON 24 JULY 2015, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY BRAKING TO AVOID A COLLISION WHICH CAUSED ME TO DO THE SAME. FROM THE MOMENT I TRIED TO ACTUATE THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT FELT AS IF THE PEDAL WAS IN THE FLOOR AND IMMOVABLE. LITTLE, IF ANY, BRAKE FORCE WAS APPLIED AND REQUIRED BOTH FEET WIT…

Read full complaint

ON 24 JULY 2015, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY BRAKING TO AVOID A COLLISION WHICH CAUSED ME TO DO THE SAME. FROM THE MOMENT I TRIED TO ACTUATE THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT FELT AS IF THE PEDAL WAS IN THE FLOOR AND IMMOVABLE. LITTLE, IF ANY, BRAKE FORCE WAS APPLIED AND REQUIRED BOTH FEET WITH ALL THE POWER OF MY LEGS TO GET EVEN A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKING. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY DIVE INTO THE MEDIAN AT SPEEDS OF 60-65 MPH TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS CAUSED TWO TIRES TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I LEFT MY PARKING GARAGE AND ALL THE WAY TO THE FREEWAY, BRAKING WAS NORMAL. NO DASH LIGHTS WERE ACTIVE NOR ARE THEY NOW. THE ISSUE PERSISTS NOW AND DRIVING THE VEHICLE IS NOT AN OPTION.

NHTSA ODI #10743515

83,000 miles · Jun 22, 2015
Service Brakes

BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY HARD TO PUSH IN. TRIED TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND THE BRAKES WOULDN'T STOP THE CAR, LUCKILY THERE WAS'T SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME. BRAKES FEEL LIKE I AM PUSHING AGAINST A WALL, ALSO CAN HEAR A HISSING OR LEAKING SOUND WHEN I TRY TO PUSH THE BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI #10726619

74,000 miles · Jun 8, 2015
Service BrakesCrash

THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND TO TYPICAL PRESSURE REQUIRED TO STOP... WHEN I PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE STARTING TO ENGAGE, HOWEVER I COULD NOT GET THEM TO FULLY ENGAGE AND STOP IN TIME TO AVOID REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I TOOK EVASIVE ACTION AND JUMPED THE CURB AND DIRECTED THE VEHI…

Read full complaint

THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND TO TYPICAL PRESSURE REQUIRED TO STOP... WHEN I PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE STARTING TO ENGAGE, HOWEVER I COULD NOT GET THEM TO FULLY ENGAGE AND STOP IN TIME TO AVOID REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I TOOK EVASIVE ACTION AND JUMPED THE CURB AND DIRECTED THE VEHICLE AT BANK OF NEWSPAPER STANDS IN ORDER TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP.

NHTSA ODI #10724159

50,120 miles · Jun 7, 2015
Service Brakes

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES MOSTLY WHEN RAINING OR SNOW. AT TIMES WHEN I GO TO HIT THE BRAKES THEY GET STUCK OR MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND DON'T WANT TO STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HIT ANOTHER CAR ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. I WILL TAKE IT IN SOON TO HAVE IT CHECKED NOW THAT I SEE THAT …

Read full complaint

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES MOSTLY WHEN RAINING OR SNOW. AT TIMES WHEN I GO TO HIT THE BRAKES THEY GET STUCK OR MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND DON'T WANT TO STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HIT ANOTHER CAR ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. I WILL TAKE IT IN SOON TO HAVE IT CHECKED NOW THAT I SEE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS ISSUE. STARTING IN JAN 2015 I NOTICE A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I HAD AN OIL CHANGE AND CHECKED FOR AN OIL LEAK TO FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER RUNNING THE CAR FOR AT LEAST 20 MINUTES THE SMELL CONTINUES.

NHTSA ODI #10723885

96,000 miles · Jun 5, 2015
Service Brakes

VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW OR STOP, HAD TO PUSH PEDAL HARD ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO GET IT SLOWED. REALLY THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. TOOK VEHICLE INTO SHOP ON 6/5/2015 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE POWER BRAKE ASSIST MODULE WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. OWNER OF SHOP SAID WE WERE LUCKY TO NOT HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDE…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW OR STOP, HAD TO PUSH PEDAL HARD ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO GET IT SLOWED. REALLY THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. TOOK VEHICLE INTO SHOP ON 6/5/2015 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE POWER BRAKE ASSIST MODULE WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. OWNER OF SHOP SAID WE WERE LUCKY TO NOT HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. COME ON MAZDA YOU ARE AWARE OF THIS SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI #10723589

100,200 miles · Jun 1, 2015
Service Brakes

I HAD 3 CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS, MYSELF AND MY OLDEST SON IN OUR CX9. I CRESTED A HILL AND STARTED DOWN THE OTHER SIDE AND I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND THEY WERE HARD AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO STOP. I ALMOST HIT THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. HE WAS THANKFULLY WATCHING HIS MIRROR AND RAN A RED LIGHT TO GET OUT OF THE WAY SO I …

Read full complaint

I HAD 3 CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS, MYSELF AND MY OLDEST SON IN OUR CX9. I CRESTED A HILL AND STARTED DOWN THE OTHER SIDE AND I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND THEY WERE HARD AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO STOP. I ALMOST HIT THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. HE WAS THANKFULLY WATCHING HIS MIRROR AND RAN A RED LIGHT TO GET OUT OF THE WAY SO I DIDN'T HIT HIM. AFTER STANDING ON THE BRAKES FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE A LIFE TIME THEY FINALLY ENGAGED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND HISSED WITH A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE. I REMOVED MYSELF FROM THE INTERSECTION AND AT 5 MILES PER HOUR WENT TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC. I WAS TOLD TO CALL MAZDA BECAUSE THE POWER ASSIST BRAKING SYSTEM HAD FAILED. I CALLED MAZDA AND THEY TOLD ME NOT DRIVE IT AS IT WAS UNSAFE. THEY WOULD HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IS DOLAN MAZDA KIA IN RENO NEVADA. I WAS INFORMED BY STEVE TO LOOK AT IT IN THE SHOP I WAS LOOKING AT $125. AND THAT IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE MY CX9 HAS OVER A 100K MLS. AND THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 90K. THE BRAKES FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY WITH NO WARNING. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE FROM MAZDA NOR THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM. I SEE THAT THE NHTSA HAS CLOSED IT'S INVESTIGATION WITH NO RECALL OR THAT MAZDA CUSTOMERS WERE INFORMED. MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN KILLED.

NHTSA ODI #10722817

80,000 miles · Apr 28, 2015
Service Brakes

BRAKE BOOSTER GOES OUT CAUSING BRAKES TO UNEXPECTEDLY MALFUNCTION AND NOT STOP THE CAR IN A TIMELY MANNER. BRAKES BECOME HARD TO PRESS, SOUND OF HISSING AIR FROM UNDER DASHBOARD, BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR AND STILL DID NOT STOP THE CAR IN A SAFE MANNER. NO WARNING LIGHTS ALERTED TO THIS PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS…

Read full complaint

BRAKE BOOSTER GOES OUT CAUSING BRAKES TO UNEXPECTEDLY MALFUNCTION AND NOT STOP THE CAR IN A TIMELY MANNER. BRAKES BECOME HARD TO PRESS, SOUND OF HISSING AIR FROM UNDER DASHBOARD, BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR AND STILL DID NOT STOP THE CAR IN A SAFE MANNER. NO WARNING LIGHTS ALERTED TO THIS PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713471

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2015
Service Brakes

I NOTICED A HISSING NOISE WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT GOES AWAY WHEN I LET OFF THE BRAKE. I HAVEN'T NOTICED A DIFFERENCE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT I WILL BE PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED ASAP. I HAVE 2 KIDS THAT RIDE IN THIS CAR. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE AN APPOINTMEN…

Read full complaint

I NOTICED A HISSING NOISE WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT GOES AWAY WHEN I LET OFF THE BRAKE. I HAVEN'T NOTICED A DIFFERENCE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT I WILL BE PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED ASAP. I HAVE 2 KIDS THAT RIDE IN THIS CAR. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TOMORROW. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY HEARD ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT HAVEN'T HAD A REPAIR LIKE THIS YET. I WILL UPDATE WHAT I FIND OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10701902

58,800 miles · Mar 20, 2015
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

THIS IS THE SECOND HAPPENED TO MY MAZDA CX9, 2011. THE BRAKE STARTED TO HAVE HISSING SOUNDS WHILE STEPPING ON BRAKE. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HARDER THAN USUAL TO DEPRESS. THE BRAKE FUNCTIONS HAS BEEN REDUCED AROUND 30~50% LESS THAN NORMAL. THIS HAS PUT DERIVING SAFETY IN JEOPARDIZED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY CX9'S BRAKE BOOSTER FAI…

Read full complaint

THIS IS THE SECOND HAPPENED TO MY MAZDA CX9, 2011. THE BRAKE STARTED TO HAVE HISSING SOUNDS WHILE STEPPING ON BRAKE. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HARDER THAN USUAL TO DEPRESS. THE BRAKE FUNCTIONS HAS BEEN REDUCED AROUND 30~50% LESS THAN NORMAL. THIS HAS PUT DERIVING SAFETY IN JEOPARDIZED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY CX9'S BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME IS IN YEAR 2012. I WORKED WITH MAZDA TO HAVE BRAKE BOOSTER REPLACED. HOWEVER, DEALER SEEMED NOT REALIZED THERE IS A WARRANTY EXTENDED PROGRAM FROM MAZDA --- MAZDA SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM -93 (SSP93). THIS IS OFFICIAL RECORDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE14005. DEALER TRIED CONTACTING MAZDA FOR THIS PROGRAM. BUT MAZDA KEPT NOT RESPONDING, IT HAS BEEN TWO WEEKS BUT STILL NOT MESSAGE BACK FROM THEM. I PAID THE REPAIRMEN OF THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE BOOSTER (PARTS & LABOR) FROM MY OWN PACKET AT THIS POINT. DESPITE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS FOR JEOPARDIZING DRIVING SAFETY, MY COMPLAINTS TO MAZDA IS ALSO FOR THEIR NON-RESPONSIVE TO CUSTOMER'S WARRANTY PROGRAM WHICH THEY HAVE MADE.

NHTSA ODI #10695534

Official recalls

4

19V782000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Oct 31, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 16V356 and 17V012.

18V717000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Oct 12, 2018

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, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 29, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.

15V451000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Jul 20, 2015

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The second phase will be for model year 2010-2014 vehicles in the same states. Finally, all remaining vehicles will be remedied. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 8515G.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

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.

Consequence: 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, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The second phase will be for model year 2010-2014 vehicles in the same states. Finally, all remaining vehicles will be remedied. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 8515G.

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

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.

Consequence: 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, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The second phase will be for model year 2010-2014 vehicles in the same states. Finally, all remaining vehicles will be remedied. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 8515G.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

PE19006 · Inadvertent Curtain Air Bag Deployment

Opened May 2, 2019 · Closed Jan 15, 2021

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:side/window; Air Bags:side/window:curtain

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE19-006) on May 2, 2019 to investigate two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and Early Warning Reporting data related to allegations of inadvertent deployment (IAD) of side curtain airbags in Model Year (MY) 2010 through 2013 Mazda CX-9 vehicles. ODI sent an Information Request (IR) to Mazda North America Operations, LLC. to gather information about the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In the 20 months since opening the PE, ODI has received three additional VOQs. To date, there have been a total of 11 IAD incidents within the identified population of 104,360 vehicles. Of the 11 incidents, no serious injuries were reported. The last known incident occurred in December 2020.Mazda's response to ODI's IR letter identified the root cause as a manufacturing issue of the Bosch SMG076 Roll Rate Sensor within the Restraint Control Module (RCM). During the manufacturing calibration process, small particles may be generated that could affect roll sensor capacitance, which could lead to a loss of curtain airbag protection or an erroneous deployment command. On November 19, 2012, a revised Roll Rate Sensor calibration process was launched, establishing a clean point for the issue. In its responses to ODI, Mazda has assessed the condition as a low risk to motor vehicle safety, with low incident frequency not warranting action. Any RCM data indicating a malfunctioning Roll Rate Sensor will result in the illumination of the airbag warning light. In the event of an erroneous curtain airbag deployment, there is no contact with properly seated occupants. Additionally, the condition is not affected by deterioration or wear, and known incidents established a random pattern of occurrence.During the investigation, ODI examined the injury risk to vehicle occupants from curtain airbag deployments. It was determined that the subject vehicles do not pose a substantial risk to out of position occupants, as testing data falls within Technical Working Group (TWG) reference values. Modeling simulation based on data provided by Mazda for properly seated occupants during static and dynamic airbag deployments indicated sufficient head clearance and no risk of brain injury. ODI analysis reveals that inadvertent deployment incident rates of curtain airbags in the subject vehicles are low through approximately ten years in service. Incident frequency does not meet values warranting recall action, but rather align closely with baseline frequency of general inadvertent deployments which are known to occur in rare driving conditions. Additionally, warranty analysis of RCM failures resulting in a loss of curtain airbag protection revealed low claim rates.Based on the analysis conducted, this investigation has been closed. The closing of this investigation does not foreclose the Agency from taking further action, if warranted, or the potential for a future finding that a safety-related defect exists, based upon additional information the Agency may receive.The five ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following identification numbers: 10905492, 11165925, 11270089, 11310044, 11385219.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE19-006) on May 2, 2019 to investigate two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and Early Warning Reporting data related to allegations of inadvertent deployment (IAD) of side curtain airbags in Model Year (MY) 2010 through 2013 Mazda CX-9 vehicles. ODI sent an Information Request (IR) to Mazda North America Operations, LLC. to gather information about the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In the 20 months since opening the PE, ODI has received three additional VOQs. To date, there have been a total of 11 IAD incidents within the identified population of 104,360 vehicles. Of the 11 incidents, no serious injuries were reported. The last known incident occurred in December 2020.Mazda's response to ODI's IR letter identified the root cause as a manufacturing issue of the Bosch SMG076 Roll Rate Sensor within the Restraint Control Module (RCM). During the manufacturing calibration process, small particles may be generated that could affect roll sensor capacitance, which could lead to a loss of curtain airbag protection or an erroneous deployment command. On November 19, 2012, a revised Roll Rate Sensor calibration process was launched, establishing a clean point for the issue. In its responses to ODI, Mazda has assessed the condition as a low risk to motor vehicle safety, with low incident frequency not warranting action. Any RCM data indicating a malfunctioning Roll Rate Sensor will result in the illumination of the airbag warning light. In the event of an erroneous curtain airbag deployment, there is no contact with properly seated occupants. Additionally, the condition is not affected by deterioration or wear, and known incidents established a random pattern of occurrence.During the investigation, ODI examined the injury risk to vehicle occupants from curtain airbag deployments. It was determined that the subject vehicles do not pose a substantial risk to out of position occupants, as testing data falls within Technical Working Group (TWG) reference values. Modeling simulation based on data provided by Mazda for properly seated occupants during static and dynamic airbag deployments indicated sufficient head clearance and no risk of brain injury. ODI analysis reveals that inadvertent deployment incident rates of curtain airbags in the subject vehicles are low through approximately ten years in service. Incident frequency does not meet values warranting recall action, but rather align closely with baseline frequency of general inadvertent deployments which are known to occur in rare driving conditions. Additionally, warranty analysis of RCM failures resulting in a loss of curtain airbag protection revealed low claim rates.Based on the analysis conducted, this investigation has been closed. The closing of this investigation does not foreclose the Agency from taking further action, if warranted, or the potential for a future finding that a safety-related defect exists, based upon additional information the Agency may receive.The five ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following identification numbers: 10905492, 11165925, 11270089, 11310044, 11385219.

Air Bags:side/window:curtain

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE19-006) on May 2, 2019 to investigate two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and Early Warning Reporting data related to allegations of inadvertent deployment (IAD) of side curtain airbags in Model Year (MY) 2010 through 2013 Mazda CX-9 vehicles. ODI sent an Information Request (IR) to Mazda North America Operations, LLC. to gather information about the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In the 20 months since opening the PE, ODI has received three additional VOQs. To date, there have been a total of 11 IAD incidents within the identified population of 104,360 vehicles. Of the 11 incidents, no serious injuries were reported. The last known incident occurred in December 2020.Mazda's response to ODI's IR letter identified the root cause as a manufacturing issue of the Bosch SMG076 Roll Rate Sensor within the Restraint Control Module (RCM). During the manufacturing calibration process, small particles may be generated that could affect roll sensor capacitance, which could lead to a loss of curtain airbag protection or an erroneous deployment command. On November 19, 2012, a revised Roll Rate Sensor calibration process was launched, establishing a clean point for the issue. In its responses to ODI, Mazda has assessed the condition as a low risk to motor vehicle safety, with low incident frequency not warranting action. Any RCM data indicating a malfunctioning Roll Rate Sensor will result in the illumination of the airbag warning light. In the event of an erroneous curtain airbag deployment, there is no contact with properly seated occupants. Additionally, the condition is not affected by deterioration or wear, and known incidents established a random pattern of occurrence.During the investigation, ODI examined the injury risk to vehicle occupants from curtain airbag deployments. It was determined that the subject vehicles do not pose a substantial risk to out of position occupants, as testing data falls within Technical Working Group (TWG) reference values. Modeling simulation based on data provided by Mazda for properly seated occupants during static and dynamic airbag deployments indicated sufficient head clearance and no risk of brain injury. ODI analysis reveals that inadvertent deployment incident rates of curtain airbags in the subject vehicles are low through approximately ten years in service. Incident frequency does not meet values warranting recall action, but rather align closely with baseline frequency of general inadvertent deployments which are known to occur in rare driving conditions. Additionally, warranty analysis of RCM failures resulting in a loss of curtain airbag protection revealed low claim rates.Based on the analysis conducted, this investigation has been closed. The closing of this investigation does not foreclose the Agency from taking further action, if warranted, or the potential for a future finding that a safety-related defect exists, based upon additional information the Agency may receive.The five ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following identification numbers: 10905492, 11165925, 11270089, 11310044, 11385219.

Air Bags:side/window

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE19-006) on May 2, 2019 to investigate two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and Early Warning Reporting data related to allegations of inadvertent deployment (IAD) of side curtain airbags in Model Year (MY) 2010 through 2013 Mazda CX-9 vehicles. ODI sent an Information Request (IR) to Mazda North America Operations, LLC. to gather information about the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In the 20 months since opening the PE, ODI has received three additional VOQs. To date, there have been a total of 11 IAD incidents within the identified population of 104,360 vehicles. Of the 11 incidents, no serious injuries were reported. The last known incident occurred in December 2020.Mazda's response to ODI's IR letter identified the root cause as a manufacturing issue of the Bosch SMG076 Roll Rate Sensor within the Restraint Control Module (RCM). During the manufacturing calibration process, small particles may be generated that could affect roll sensor capacitance, which could lead to a loss of curtain airbag protection or an erroneous deployment command. On November 19, 2012, a revised Roll Rate Sensor calibration process was launched, establishing a clean point for the issue. In its responses to ODI, Mazda has assessed the condition as a low risk to motor vehicle safety, with low incident frequency not warranting action. Any RCM data indicating a malfunctioning Roll Rate Sensor will result in the illumination of the airbag warning light. In the event of an erroneous curtain airbag deployment, there is no contact with properly seated occupants. Additionally, the condition is not affected by deterioration or wear, and known incidents established a random pattern of occurrence.During the investigation, ODI examined the injury risk to vehicle occupants from curtain airbag deployments. It was determined that the subject vehicles do not pose a substantial risk to out of position occupants, as testing data falls within Technical Working Group (TWG) reference values. Modeling simulation based on data provided by Mazda for properly seated occupants during static and dynamic airbag deployments indicated sufficient head clearance and no risk of brain injury. ODI analysis reveals that inadvertent deployment incident rates of curtain airbags in the subject vehicles are low through approximately ten years in service. Incident frequency does not meet values warranting recall action, but rather align closely with baseline frequency of general inadvertent deployments which are known to occur in rare driving conditions. Additionally, warranty analysis of RCM failures resulting in a loss of curtain airbag protection revealed low claim rates.Based on the analysis conducted, this investigation has been closed. The closing of this investigation does not foreclose the Agency from taking further action, if warranted, or the potential for a future finding that a safety-related defect exists, based upon additional information the Agency may receive.The five ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following identification numbers: 10905492, 11165925, 11270089, 11310044, 11385219.

PE15022 · Lower Ball Joint Separation

Opened Jun 9, 2015 · Closed Aug 20, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

In an July 7,2015 letter to NHTSA, Mazda identified a safety defect that could result in lower ball joint separation in approximately 193,484 model year (MY) 2007 through 2014 Mazda CX-9 vehicles (NHTSA Recall No. 15V-451,Mazda 8515G).Mazda indicated that damage to the ball joint boot may allow water to enter the front suspension ball joint fitting during use which may result in premature ball joint wear and a progressively looser joint.In January 2014, Mazda implemented redesigned lower control arms in production vehicles to improve the durability of the lower ball joints.The redesign involved changing the shape of the top surface of the ball joint boot cover and adding a suspension plate to the undersurface of the knuckle.Mazda's recall will replace the defect lower control arms with the redesigned parts.ODI's analysis of information collected during PE15-022 identified a total of 62 ball joint separation incidents, including 34 identified in ODI complaints and 31 identified in Mazda complaints and field reports (3 of the Mazda records involve vehicles/incidents that were also reported to ODI).When Mazda's design change was implemented, most of the field experience related to lower ball joints involved complaints of noise and premature wear-out.Only 1 of the ODI and 6 of the additional Mazda separation complaints identified in ODI's analysis were reported prior to January 2014.Significant increases in the number and trend in separation complaints were observed in 2015, when 30 of the ODI complaints and 16 of the additional Mazda complaints were reported.The report trend appears to be accelerating, with 29 of the reports received after ODI opened PE15-022 on June 9, 2015.There has been one crash reported to ODI related to the alleged defect (VOQ 10746510). This investigation is closed based on Mazda's recall.The 34 VOQs associated with this investigation are: 10747358, 10746510, 10744897, 10743509, 10736229, 10735938, 10734763, 10734302, 10734290, 10733813, 10732578, 10732217, 10732154, 10731850, 10730736, 10730280, 10730143, 10730114, 10726622, 10726480 10726448, 10726168, 10725839, 10725567, 10725488, 10725427, 10725390, 10717510, 10714469, 10695142, 10668978, 10648429, 10640541, 10546535

PE14005 · Brake Booster Failure

Opened Feb 10, 2014 · Closed Jun 26, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

In March 2014, Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) initiated Special Service Program SSP93 to extend the warranty coverage for a specific brake booster fault condition on model year (MY) 2007-2013 Mazda CX-9 vehicles.According to Mazda's dealer communication for SSP93, the subject vehicles may exhibit a condition were the brake pedal is harder than usual to depress. Complainants report hearing air leakage (hissing) from the driver-side foot area during braking.The Mazda program extends the warranty coverage for repairing this condition to unlimited time and mileage for repairs performed between March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015 and to 7 years or 90,000 miles for repairs performed after March 31, 2015.In its response to the Office of Defects Investigation's (ODI) information request letter for PE14-005, Mazda identified a problem with booster diaphragms developing tears near the outer seal/circumference that can result in noise and degraded booster performance as the tears grow in length (Figures 1-3).The tears allow leakage from the ambient to the vacuum sides of the diaphragm that reduces the differential pressure across the diaphragm and produces a hissing noise after the tears have reached 10-12 mm in length.The problem was caused by wear of the mold used for the diaphragm forming process, which resulted in increased thickness and stress in the bending area of the diaphragm.Continuous operation in environments with high ambient temperatures accelerates the hardening of the diaphragm material, further increasing the stress in the bending area and contributing to tear initiation and propagation rate.Analysis of failure data indicates that the tool wear condition affected vehicles produced after June 2010 and operated in hot states (Figures 4-6).In February 2013 the supplier introduced a new mold and changes to the diaphragm thickness monitoring process to correct the condition in production vehicles.Analysis of complaint and supplier test data indicates that the diaphragm tear condition is a progressive failure that develops slowly over time.Smaller tears have little effect on system performance.As the tear continues to grow, the effects become more evident.The hard pedal and increased effort are experienced during initial pedal application, but are diminished as the pedal is pressed further by the driver and the tear is partially sealed by the outer wall of the booster.This change from a hard to a soft pedal feel is described by some drivers as a spongy pedal.For tear lengths that were observed in warranty return parts, testing demonstrated that most booster performance can be recovered with increasing pedal apply speed and apply force.None of the tears measured in return parts grew large enough to cause a complete loss of brake booster function. The booster diaphragm tear condition results in partial reduction in booster function that progresses gradually over time with audible and pedal feel symptoms available to the driver.The condition does not result in a sudden loss of power braking assist.The effects are evident during initial pedal apply and are reduced by increased pedal apply force and rate.ODI has not identified any accidents associated with the booster diaphragm tear condition in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect and take further action in the future if warranted.VOQs (24) associated with this investigation:10482005, 10486941, 1048793