2016 Mazda CX-9 Complaints

ENGINE — Filed 06/30/2025

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. 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 cx-9 at the time of the repair it had 70,430 miles on it. Now a few years later I am having the same issue with the coolant smell inside the cab and outside my vehicle, it goes into the shop for diagnosis on Monday November 10,2025. The car now has 118,000 miles on it. I had purchased an extended warranty for the car at the time of purchase but it had timed out a month before I took my car in for the first repair….please Mazda stand behind your vehicles I am a senior woman with very little income and I will not be able to pay out of pocket for this repair and I CANNOT afford a new car… I would like to get reimbursed for my out of pocket on the first repair and get my car repaired this time as well under a warranty.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 06/01/2024

Smart City Break Malfunction warning light appears while driving. Simultaneously the tire pressure warning appears. Also, at the same time, the temperature reads -20 to -40 degrees. Yes, vehicle is available for inspection. Fearful that car could randomly break while driving putting myself and family in danger since there is a malfunction. Mazda service center says the problem can’t be reproduced so there’s nothing they can do. The problem seems to appear when the outside temperature is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

ENGINE — Filed 12/19/2024

Engine failure with crack in the engine after a loss of coolant fluid.

ENGINE — Filed 09/26/2024

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

ENGINE — Filed 09/20/2024

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 within minutes and noticed the engine compartment was smoking and coolant/engine oil leaking underneath the car. The car was towed to my local Mazda dealership where I was advised days later the engine needed to be replaced due to blown head gaskets. They advised the vehicle over heated causing oil and coolant leaking from cylinder head that is warped. This repair would cost $11, 179.29. Mazda service advisor also mentioned the radiator and lower/upper radiator hoses needed to be replaced. This repair would cost $2691.28. This incident could've resulted in serious injuries or death from a known issue with these engines by Mazda. It's only a matter of time before this failed engine turns into a fatality. Do the right thing Mazda and fix these engines. Your reputation is on the line.

ENGINE — Filed 10/24/2024

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 10/24/2024

Vehicle failed to turn off the engine while in park and I was unable to lock vehicle while engine was still running. The ignition button failed to work.

ENGINE — Filed 08/28/2024

Cylinder head coolant leak. No warning lights.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 04/16/2024

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 power on the highway with my young children aboard. This sudden loss of control could have led to a severe accident. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Mazda’s service department has not been able to reproduce the problem despite multiple visits. I have provided video evidence, but no conclusive diagnosis or resolution has been achieved. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? Mazda’s authorized technicians have inspected the vehicle several times, but no substantial action has been taken. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? All dashboard lights come on simultaneously without prior warning. The symptoms have been random and intermittent over the past few months. Given the ongoing risk, I request an immediate replacement of my vehicle. Please confirm receipt of this complaint and provide a plan for replacement. Thank you for your prompt attention.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 08/02/2024

August 2nd I noticed a smell of Coolant coming from my car. I looked under my car and noticed it leaking green coolant. I took it to Mazda where they had it for 7 days to then give me a $6,300 estimate with possible added expenses. They diagnosed it as a cracked cylinder head and needs a gasket as well. I am a single mother and have work but I cannot afford that repair especially since Mazda is not going to honor there vehicle and what they stand by. With this issue with the coolant leak and the cracked cylinder the vehicle could have overheated and go into limp mode and come to a sudden stop with my children in the car while driving on the road. I could be hit as this puts my family at risk of injury while we go to school or work. Mazda has done nothing but tell me to submit a claim with customer service which I have. I had my case manager call me once and left a voicemail and I have called multiple times and have not heard back. There was no warning of this until I found forums and other stories that this unfortunately has happened to hundreds of Mazda owners.

ENGINE — Filed 07/04/2024

Coolant sprayed on top of engine

ENGINE — Filed 07/01/2024

Our 2016 Mazda CX 9 began leaking coolant and we took it to a shop who diagnosed it as coming from the cylinder head, requiring a very expensive repair or new engine. Luckily our engine did not sieze up while driving, but it easily could have with our baby and toddler in the car. Upon searching the internet I found countless reports from other CX 9 owners who experienced the very same issue at similar mileage ~50k-70k. There is a technical service bulletin for this issue, but they have not issued a recall. This very expensive repair is going to set us back significantly and is a financial burden we were not expecting from our well cared for vehicle. It seems Mazda knows about the issue and is unwilling to address it.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 06/19/2024

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started shuddering and overheating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to a cracked head gasket. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure with the Technical Service Bulletin: 01-03/21; however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

ENGINE — Filed 06/03/2024

Cracked cylinder head causing coolant to leak.

ENGINE — Filed 04/17/2024

2016 Mazda CX-9 is leaking coolant from exhaust side of engine cylinder head. This issue has been confirmed by a Mazda dealership in North Charleston, South Carolina. The issue first appeared shortly after replacing the water pump (performed by the same dealership). The issue is known and documents on Mazda TSB 01-002/23 - COOLANT LEAKS AT CYLINDER HEAD. The safety of my family was put at risk as there was no indication of a cracked head until there was coolant leaking on the driveway. Should the car have overheated without the indication of a coolant leak, the car would have been placed in to limp mode. Prior to the leak, there were no warning lamps or messages indicating the issue. Further, the Mazda dealership did not detect the issue at the time of replacing the water pump.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 04/15/2024

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated after the vehicle cooled off, the was able to be restarted. The contact checked under the vehicle and stated that there was coolant leaking on the ground. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak behind the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 01-002/23. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The contact was unable to reach the manufacturer for assistance. The failure mileage was unavailable.

ENGINE — Filed 05/24/2024

Vehicle had a horrible coolant leak at the rear of the engine to find out the engine has a weak cylinder head and is known to break and leak coolant. The vehicle will need a new cylinder head or engine replacement.

ENGINE — Filed 04/25/2024

A month ago, I experienced a coolant leak at the back of the engine compartment. Upon researching I found that the head was prone to crack at the turbo and produce the leak. I took to my dealer, and they confirmed that it was in fact a cracked head causing the coolant leak. They also confirmed it was a known Mazda problem on the 2016 and newer 2.5 liter turbo engines. The dealer fixed four in the last month and one on a car their salesman purchased that the head failed at only 2000 miles. I was quoted a cost of $5965 for cylinder head replacement. It seems extremely excessive for a new cylinder head and a more appropriate price for a completely new motor. If this is a known defect on this motor no matter the miles, it seems Mazda should correct this problem in or out of warranty.

ENGINE — Filed 02/02/2024

Engine head cracked. Known problem with a tsb issued

ENGINE — Filed 05/06/2024

My car has a cracking cylinder head and is leaking coolant.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS — Filed 03/23/2024

My seat warmer caught fire and burnt a hole through the seat.

POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE — Filed 10/14/2019

DRIVER STOPPED VEHICLE IN A DRIVEWAY WITH MINIMAL SLOPE, SHIFTED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND EXITED. DRIVER PROCEEDED TO REAR PASSENGER DOOR TO RETRIEVE 1 YEAR OLD FROM CAR SEAT. AFTER RETRIEVING CHILD FROM CAR SEAT, DRIVER FELT REAR PASSENGER DOOR PUSHING INTO HER LEG, BACK AND HEAD. VEHICLE PROCEEDS TO ROLL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY BACKWARD WHILE IN PARK. DRIVER AND CHILD ESCAPE VEHICLE'S REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, WHICH IS PUSHING THEM ALONG IN THE VEHICLE'S PATH TOWARD RESIDENTIAL STREET. VEHICLE CONTINUES ROLLING IN PARK BACKWARD DOWN RESIDENTIAL STREET, THROUGH A 3-WAY STOP INTERSECTION, UP A CURB, THROUGH A YARD AND INTO A BUSH ON A PRIVATE PROPERTY. A WITNESS WHO HELPED RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER NOTED THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN PARK WHEN HE TRIED TO REMOVE IT FROM THE BUSH. NO ONE WAS SEVERELY INJURED BUT DRIVER HAS SUSTAINED BRUISING ON LEG AND SEVERE EMOTIONAL DISTRESS.

SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE — Filed 10/18/2018

I WAS T-BONED ON PASSENGER SIDE OF MY MAZDA CX9 AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK ON MY MAZDA.OTHER VEHICLE AIR BAGS DID GO OFF.I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN OTHER CAR PLOWED INTO MINE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 12/18/2017

IMMEDIATELY UPON MAKING A SHARP RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY FAST PACE WITHOUT ME PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. MY IMMEDIATE REACTION WAS TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT DID NOT STOP. THE CAR SLAMMED INTO A PLANTER IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR MOVED SO QUICKLY THAT IT WAS LODGED INTO THE BUSHES AND HAD TO BE PULLED OUT BY A TOW TRUCK. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. THE SERVICE MANAGER'S IMMEDIATE REACTION WAS TO SCOFF AT THE IDEA THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. MY HUSBAND MET ME AT THE DEALER AND HAD SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND INFORMATION ABOUT A RECALL OF CX-9 MODELS FROM 2012 FOR A SIMILAR MALFUNCTION. HE SHOWED IT TO THE SAME MANAGER WHO IMMEDIATELY KNEW THE ISSUE OF THE RECALL BUT WAS QUICK TO MENTION IT WAS THE 2012 MODEL, NOT THE 2016. THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS AND TOLD ME IT WAS DRIVEN TWICE AND ALSO SOME INFO FROM THE COMPUTER WAS REVIEWED WITH MAZDA TECH SUPPORT PERSON. NO DATA INDICATING ANY KIND OF MALFUNCTION IN THE CAR AND THE SERVICE GUY DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT IN TWO SHORT TEST DRIVES, SO THEY SAID COME PICK IT UP IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE. HOWEVER, I WILL NEVER DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN. THIS IS THE FULLY-LOADED SIGNATURE CX-9 THAT THEY FEATURE IN ALL THEIR ADS. I LOVED THIS CAR AT FIRST SIGHT AND DROVE IT OVER 24000 MILES IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. THIS EXPERIENCE SCARED ME TO THE POINT THAT I WILL NEVER DRIVE THIS OR ANOTHER MAZDA AGAIN. I HAVE HAD OVER A WEEK TO PROCESS THIS EXPERIENCE AND AM JUST HAPPY MY KIDS WEREN'T IN THE CAR OR THAT I DIDN'T HIT SOMEONE. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL OTHER INSTANCES OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ONLINE AND CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS HAPPENS IN 2017. I HOPE THAT THIS DOCUMENTATION HELPS SOMEONE ELSE IN MY SHOES FEEL THAT THEY ARE NOT CRAZY AND THIS DOES HAPPEN. SHAME ON MAZDA FOR NOT FULLY ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.

SEATS — Filed 10/12/2016

AFTER A MINOR REAR END ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER FRONT SEAT NOW ROCKS SIDE TO SIDE AND IS DISTRACTING AND UNSAFE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP THAT PROVIDED AN INSPECTION AND SAID THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT. THEY STATE THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THEIR SEATS TO ROCK SIDE TO SIDE. HOW UNSAFE AND FRIGHTENING. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP.