Second generation (TC)
2016 Mazda CX-9
The most reported problem on the 2016 Mazda CX-9 is overheating, with 52 complaints, usually around 75,000 miles.
- 105owner complaints
- 0recalls
- 3involved a crash
- 55,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 21, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your CX-9 doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2016 model year.
Is the 2016 Mazda CX-9 reliable?
The 2016 Mazda CX-9 has 105 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, less than half the median of 248 for 2016 SUVs on this site. Of the 10 CX-9 model years since 2014, it has the 2nd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017
- At 10 complaints for each year on the road, the 2016 runs above the 2017 (6). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: overheating, named in 52 of the 105 complaints (50%). A quarter of the 20 owners who gave a mileage for overheating saw it by about 65,000 miles, and half by about 75,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 5 of the 105 complaints (5%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 3 reports mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 3 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- There's no recall on file for this model year, so the problems above are owner complaints with no campaign behind them.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2024 at 26 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 5. So far in 2026, 3 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: engine overheats or leaks coolant, 52 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
105 complaints is 2.4 times fewer than the median 2016 model on this site and 2.4 times fewer than the median 2016 SUV. Among the 2 CX-9 model years here it ranks 2nd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2016 Mazda CX-9
Mazda filed 612 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2016 Mazda CX-9. 34 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car, 2 of those a warranty extension. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Engine overheats or leaks coolant 6 bulletins · 52 complaints
Mazda Motor Corporation has decided to conduct a Customer Service Program (CSP11) to extend the limited powertrain warranty to 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever occurs first, for necessary repairs if the covered vehicle has coolant leaks at the cylinder ...
Some vehicles may have coolant leaks at the cylinder head around the exhaust manifold (as shown below). There may be cracks at the stud bolt hole (1) or at the outside of the exhaust manifold flange (2) on the cylinder head.
4 more on this problem
CSP11 - COOLANT LEAKS AT CYLINDER HEAD WARRANTY EXTENSION For certain 2019-2020MY CX-5, 2016-2020MY CX-9, 2018-2020MY Mazda6 that are equipped with SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine, the warranty coverage for specific repair of the coolant leak at cylinder head is extended to: 10 years (120 months) or 120,000 miles (192,000 ...
Some vehicles may have coolant leaks at the cylinder head around the exhaust manifold (as shown below). There may be cracks at the stud bolt hole or at the outside of the exhaust manifold.
Coolant Leaks At Cylinder Head: Some vehicles may have coolant leaks at the cylinder head around the exhaust manifold (as shown below). There may be cracks at the stud bolt hole (1) or at the outside of the exhaust manifold (2).
There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not faulty, due to signs of a very small coolant leak from the bleed hole.
Check engine light or misfire 17 bulletins · 41 complaints
Some customers may complain about a poor acceleration and rough idling or the CHECK ENGINE light ON with DTC P0301:00, P0302:00, P0303:00, P0304:00.NOTE: Only turbo engines are applicable; non-turbo engines are NOT applicable.
Some customers may complain about a poor acceleration and rough idling or the CHECK ENGINE light ON with DTC P030X:00 (only turbo engines are applicable; non-turbo engines are NOT applicable). - In most cases, P030X is stored, but sometimes not.
15 more on this problem
Some vehicles may experience the Check Engine Light ON with DTC P0171 (Fuel Trim too Lean) and possibly DTCs P030X (Misfire). Vehicles having this concern should use the following Inspection/Repair procedure.
Some vehicles may exhibit an occasional rough idle accompanied with DTC P0300:00 (Random misfire) due to the following: 1. While closing the EGR valve, carbon deposit etc. pinched at the valve seat prevents the valve from closing completely. 2.
Some vehicles may experience the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON with DTC P2610 and P2507 stored in memory after engine start and room fuse 15A (A) removed. P2610:00: Instrument cluster internal engine off timer performance problem.
Some vehicles may experience the check engine light and automatic transaxle warning light ON with one or more of these DTCs stored in the TCM memory (P0842, P0847, P0872, P0877, P0780, P1738).
After parking the vehicle in temperatures below freezing, some customers may experience a lack of power with the check engine light on and DTCs P0638:00 and/or P2112:00 stored in memory.
Some customers may complain about poor heater performance even after the engine reaches normal operating temperature. This may be caused by a plugged heater core.
Some vehicles may exhibit the check engine light on with DTC P0456 stored in the PCM memory. P0456: EVAP system leak detected (very small leak).
The vehicles listed above are equipped with a push button start/stop ignition system. Unlike previous Mazda models, there is no key cylinder on the steering column.
Some customers may experience a check engine light on and DTC P0401:00 stored in memory without any drivability issues. P0401:00 - [PCM] EGR flow insufficient detected. This concern may be caused by the detection logic for the DTC is too sensitive.
After parking the vehicle at temperatures below the freezing, some customers may experience a lack of power with the check engine light on and DTC P0638:00 and/or P2112:00 stored in memory.
Plus 5 older ones not listed here.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 9 bulletins · 11 complaints
Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging. If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to the following information to understand why symptoms may occur, and to better ...
Front Brake Noise Symptom 1: Some vehicles may exhibit a click noise when first moving forward or reverse from a stop OR when first applying the brakes while moving forward at slow speeds.
7 more on this problem
Some vehicles equipped with electric parking brake (EPB) may exhibit a grinding noise from the rear brakes when braking. This may be caused by the rear brake pads not having the capability to remove the rust from the rear brake discs.
Some vehicles may exhibit grooves (1) in rear brake disc plate(s), as shown below. This concern is mostly found on new or low mileage vehicles, when the brakes are new.
Some customers may report a slight clunk/bang/buzz noise or jolt from the front of the vehicle. This concern will most likely occur during the vehicles first forward movement after starting the engine.
Some vehicles may exhibit a squeaking noise from the front brakes during light braking. This concern usually occurs when the front brake pads have been worn to certain levels.
Some vehicles with the electric parking brake (EPB) may exhibit rear brake dragging, resulting in brake noise and abnormal outer brake pad wear.The vehicle may also roll momentarily when starting from a stand-still with the EPB applied.
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY EXPERIENCE AN UNEXPECTED SMART BRAKE SUPPORT (SBS) SYSTEM OPERATION WHEN A VEHICLE AHEAD SLOWS DOWN, STOPS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR WHEN THE CUSTOMER PASSES A SLOWER VEHICLE WHILE CHANGING LANES.THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY AN IMPROPER SBS SYSTEM ...
IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SMART CITY BRAKE SUPPORT (SCBS) MAY OPERATE UNINTENTIONALLY. THE OWNER'S MANUAL PROVIDES 7 EXAMPLES: OBJECTS ON THE ROAD AT THE ENTRANCE TO A CURVE.VEHICLES PASSING IN THE OPPOSITE LANE WHILE MAKING A CURVE.METAL OBJECTS, BUMPS, OR ...
Turbo failure or loss of boost 2 bulletins · 8 complaints
While inspecting turbocharger housings, you may see cracks (fractures) as shown below. The cracks do not affect engine performance or cause any noise, so replacement is NOT necessary.
Some vehicles may exhibit a lack of engine power / intake air leak noise from the engine compartment. Hose clamps A and/or B for the air hose (C) for the turbocharger air outlet pipe (D) may be loose due to insufficient tightening.
Complaints filed by year
26 complaints came in 2024. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2016 Mazda CX-9
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
No recalls on file for this model year.
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2016 Mazda CX-9?
Overheating, with 52 of the 105 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 75,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2016 Mazda CX-9 problems start?
Of the 47 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 25,000 miles and half by about 55,000.
Is the 2016 Mazda CX-9 better or worse than the 2017?
Counted per year on the road, the 2016 has more complaints than the 2017: 10 a year against 6.
How many 2016 Mazda CX-9 complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
5 of them (5%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for overheating on the 2016 Mazda CX-9?
No recall on file for the 2016 Mazda CX-9 is on the same system as overheating. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.