YearToAvoid

2016 Mazda CX-9 Engine Problems

Engine problems account for 70 of 105 total complaints (67%) filed on the 2016 Mazda CX-9, the highest share of any model year in this range. Owners report cracked cylinder heads causing coolant loss and overheating, with a median failure mileage of 50,000 miles. NHTSA lists no related recall for this issue.

Engine complaints
70
67% of 105
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
50,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Cylinder head cracks and leaks coolant, sometimes with no warning light before overheating begins.
  • Coolant leaking from the rear of the engine near the turbocharger raises overheating and fire-risk concerns.
  • Coolant mixing with engine oil after a head crack leads to permanent internal damage requiring full engine replacement.
  • Engine coolant high-temperature warning appears suddenly while driving on the highway with no safe place to stop.
  • Engine hesitates or fails to accelerate and shift properly, making it hard to merge or change lanes.
  • Water pump failure is diagnosed as the source of coolant loss and rising engine temperature in some cases.

When 2016 Mazda CX-9 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 29, 2017, latest Sep 21, 2026.

2016 Mazda CX-9 engine complaints: complaints filed per month5Dec 2017May 2022Nov 2022Aug 2023Feb 2024Aug 2024Oct 2025
70 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2017 to Sep 2026; peak May 2024 (5).

Engine recalls for the 2016 Mazda CX-9

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by CX-9 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201035 (18%)
  2. 201118 (11%)
  3. 201232 (14%)
  4. 201317 (25%)
  5. 201420 (37%)
  6. 201518 (51%)
  7. 201670 (67%)
  8. 201743 (70%)
  9. 201878 (61%)
  10. 201923 (43%)
  11. 20205 (26%)
  12. 202121 (54%)
  13. 20220 (0%)
  14. 20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Are engine problems common on the 2016 Mazda CX-9?
Yes. NHTSA data shows 70 of the 105 total complaints filed for the 2016 CX-9, or 67%, involve the engine, one of the highest shares among CX-9 model years.
What is the main engine issue owners report?
Owners most often describe a cracked cylinder head that leaks coolant, leading to overheating and, in some cases, full engine replacement.
At what mileage do these engine failures usually happen?
NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 50,000 miles at the time of failure.
Is there a recall for the 2016 CX-9 engine problem?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this engine issue on the 2016 CX-9.
Did these engine problems cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data lists 1 crash and 0 injuries and 0 fires tied to these complaints.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.