2018 Mazda CX-9 engine problems
76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2018 Mazda CX-9 — 59% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“While driving at highway speed in heavy rain the oil light suddenly came on followed within 30 seconds by an urgent need to immediately stop the car due to overheating. There was no radiator fluid left due to the sudden and catastrophic structural failure caused by a known manufacturing defect…”
filed Sep 17, 2026
“My 2018 Mazda Cx-9 equipped with the skyactiv-g 2.5T developed a serious cylinder-head/cooling-system failure. The vehicle began to lose coolant with no apparent external leak and subsequently displayed and engine -overheating warning. It continued to lose coolant after a flush. The Mazda…”
filed Sep 15, 2026
“I was driving home from work and may car started overheating out of nowhere. I was stuck in traffic and white smoke was exiting my exhaust. I pulled over and all of my coolant leaked out of my car. Took it the shop and they said I had a cracked head and need a whole new engine. I seen that there was a warranty sent…”
filed Aug 8, 2026
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 SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance…
SA-029-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 21, 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, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) and TSB(s) listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-035/24 05/31/24 DESCRIPTION There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not…
SA-014-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 11, 2026
Engine problems in other CX-9 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 CX-9 | 20 | 51% |
| 2019 CX-9 | 23 | 43% |
| 2017 CX-9 | 43 | 70% |
| 2016 CX-9 | 65 | 63% |
| 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% |
| 2008 CX-9 | 6 | 3% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2018 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.