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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2011 Mazda CX-9 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
25about this part
Share
15%of 171 total for the year
Median mileage
87,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 Mazda CX-9, 15% of the 171 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Suddenly starts to accelerate while at a stop light, stop sign or I am letting a person out and still in drive and my foot is on the break. It has done it 4 time since I got her bought 02/03/2020 the last was 06/06/2020. I have to press down on the break very hard to keep it from going forward lasts only a second or two.”

NHTSA complaint #11327549, filed 2020-06, 77,800 miles

“Any time there is even a slight incline in the road and anything that could lessen traction such as a little gravel, my tires spin and the car does not move. It's especially bad in any type of inclement weather, rain, snow, sleet. I loose all traction. The back tires do not move at all and the front tires spin. The tires have good treads.”

NHTSA complaint #11060846, filed 2018-01, 182,000 miles

“I just bought an 2011 CX-9 Mazda few weeks ago. When I was parking I noticed that every time I put the car in drive it make a sound very hard, and sometimes when putting it in reverse. It may be some problems with the transfer case. In addition, when the car is running on 2nd another weird sound. I am taking the car to the near dealer if the problem continue.”

NHTSA complaint #10705821, filed 2015-04, 25,000 miles

“Transfer case - had unusual wear and tear on the transfer case that lead me to lose steering and driving capability when driving to work. Took my car to car dealer and the transfer case was ground down and the transmission was rusting. Had no water damage and cost over $4,000. Since have researched and found that many Mazda owners have been experiences issues with their transmission and transfer case. I believe this should be looked into.”

NHTSA complaint #10934140, filed 2016-12, 81,000 miles

“The transfer case in our 2011 Mazda CX-9 failed at 130,000 miles. I understand that Mazda know about a defect as to the proximity of the transfer case to the exhaust. The heated transfer case lubricant become sludge-like and causes the case to fail also affecting the transmission splines. The heated lubricant escaped and drips on the exhaust and fills the vehicle with a toxic smelling gas and apparently can light on fire. The transfer case failed while driving making getting out of traffic difficult. …”

NHTSA complaint #11281628, filed 2019-11, 130,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202219%
2021513%
2020211%
201959%
20181310%
201747%
201698%
201539%
2014713%
201357%
2012188%
20112515%
20102312%
2009610%
20082716%
20071214%

Other parts of the 2011 Mazda CX-9

Brakes
99 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 Mazda CX-9

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology