2016 Mazda CX-9 engine problems
64 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2016 Mazda CX-9 — 62% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Apr 28, 2026
“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…”
filed Dec 22, 2025
“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…”
filed Nov 3, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s)…
SA-041-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 19, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-002/19 09/30/19 and 12/19/19 DESCRIPTION If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal…
SA-026-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 16, 2026
Engine problems in other CX-9 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 CX-9 | 19 | 53% |
| 2020 CX-9 | 5 | 26% |
| 2019 CX-9 | 22 | 42% |
| 2018 CX-9 | 73 | 58% |
| 2017 CX-9 | 43 | 70% |
| 2015 CX-9 | 17 | 49% |
| 2014 CX-9 | 19 | 35% |
| 2013 CX-9 | 17 | 25% |
| 2012 CX-9 | 25 | 11% |
| 2011 CX-9 | 15 | 9% |
| 2010 CX-9 | 23 | 12% |
| 2009 CX-9 | 4 | 7% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2016 Mazda CX-9
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.