2016 Mazda CX-9 engine problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 6, 2026COEngine

   We discovered the problem by accident -- pulled out of our garage and there was a coolant puddle on the garage floor. No dashboard warnings, no overheat messages, no visible symptoms before that. That's what makes this failure mode dangerous: it loses coolant silently, and you find out from a puddle or from an overheat, not from the car telling you. A Mazda dealership confirmed the failure during a multi-point inspection by one of their master technicians (September 2026):…

   NHTSA complaint #11769435 · source
2. Filed Sep 30, 2026OHEngine

   Cracked head cyclinder leaking. Unsafe to drive, coolant can leak into engine if not already. They are aware of it and extended a warranty for the issue in 2024. However people like me, my coolant didn't leak until this year 2026. There have been lawsuits on this issue, but they are still failing to address this issue. They created another part to replace the defected part which costs around $6000-$7000. Yes, took it to a Mazda dealer and confirmed the issue and they can fix…

   NHTSA complaint #11768085 · source
3. Filed Sep 21, 2026FLEngine

   My car have a manufacturer engine defect that the company or corporation is not willing to fix. Only because I exceeded the warranty I call them (MAZDA) an told them that it wasn't under my control the these issues happened after the warranty expire. But they still refuse to help me.

   NHTSA complaint #11765988 · source
4. Filed Apr 28, 2026WAEngine

   The cylinder head (which involves the engine cooling system) has a known manufacturer defect that affects all year/models of the Mazda CX-9 with turbo. The manufacturing defect poses a risk to motor vehicle safety in a group of vehicles or equipment of the same design and/or manufacturer. Specifically, the overheating and failure of the engine can occur at any time, without warning. This puts my family at risk of being stranded on a roadway, particularly because my car is…

   NHTSA complaint #11734209 · source
5. Filed Dec 22, 2025FLEngine

   I own a 2016 Mazda CX9 Touring FWD (180k miles). Today my car was diagnosed with cracked cylinder head, resulting in coolant and oil leak from the head gasket. While there is a class action settlement about it where Mazda accepted the manufacturing defect, they do not cover the engine repair/cylinder head replacement because my car's mile is over 120k. If it is a manufacturing defect, why year/mile make a difference on the responsibility of the manufacturer? Mazda obviously…

   NHTSA complaint #11706610 · source
6. Filed Nov 3, 2025TXEngine

   In June of 2022 I started having a strong antifreeze/engine coolant smell inside the cab of my vehicle and also outside the vehicle. I had the car checked for a radiator leak, but there wasn’t one. I took my car into my local Mazda where they found that the engine coolant was leaking into the heads of the engine. Mazda kept my car for 5 months and repaired the problem, it cost me $4000 and they had added a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty for the parts. My car is a 2016 Mazda…

   NHTSA complaint #11697196 · source
7. Filed Oct 25, 2025CAEngine

   Cylinder head crack. Combustion gasses leaking into coolant causing overheat. Combustion gasses bleeding into oil causing excessive crankcase pressure.

   NHTSA complaint #11695620 · source
8. Filed Sep 16, 2025148,000 miFLEngine

   The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power with white smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact was able to get to the side of the road to inspect the vehicle and became aware that there was coolant splattered all over the engine compartment. The failure had occurred twice. The “WRENCH” symbol was displayed with the “Service Vehicle” message displayed. The vehicle was…

   NHTSA complaint #11687565 · source
9. Filed Nov 21, 2024FLEngine

   Head gasket leaking and caused major engine issue at 89,000 miles. Mazda has known of this issue, but refuses to recall it.

   NHTSA complaint #11626600 · source
10. Filed Nov 13, 2024NVEngine

    While my wife was driving her 2016 Mazda Cx-9 Grand Touring on the freeway, many of the dashboard indicator lights came on warning her the engine was over heating and to pull over immediately. While she was attempting to move over to the shoulder, smoke appeared from underneath the engine hood which made it difficult to safely move over to the shoulder. She believed the car was on fire so immediately exited the vehicle along with her sister whom was pregnant. I arrived…

    NHTSA complaint #11625077 · source
11. Filed Oct 29, 2024VAEngine

    Sudden and dramatic loss of engine coolant. Received a warning that engine was overheating, and to shut off engine. Quickly obeyed the prompt and found that most of the engine coolant had been lost due to a catastrophic failure of either the head gasket or head itself.

    NHTSA complaint #11622599 · source
12. Filed Sep 9, 2024NCElectrical SystemEngineSteering

    1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The entire electrical system is malfunctioning. All dashboard service lights (check engine, ABS, etc.) illuminate simultaneously, causing the vehicle to stutter and shut off while driving. The vehicle is available for inspection. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This issue has resulted in a dangerous situation, particularly when the vehicle lost…

    NHTSA complaint #11613534 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology