Most common 2016 Mazda CX-9 problems
Share of the 107 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda CX-9 complaints by model year
Best CX-9 years: 2015, 2022, 2020. Years to avoid: 2012, 2011, 2018, 2008, 2010. Compare all years →
What 2016 Mazda CX-9 owners say
Engine & cooling all 71 →
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air conditioning became warm and the fan was abnormally loud. Additionally, the engine temperature gauge was high. The contact pulled over and refilled the coolant reservoir. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who initially diagnosed that the water pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. However, when the contact took the vehicle back to the independent mechanic for the water pump replacement, the mechanic diagnosed that the cylinder head was warped and referred her to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. …
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power with white smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact was able to get to the side of the road to inspect the vehicle and became aware that there was coolant splattered all over the engine compartment. The failure had occurred twice. The "WRENCH" symbol was displayed with the "Service Vehicle" message displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the coolant pump and water pump were leaking, and the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer opened for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
Electrical system
As I am accelerating to merge onto the highway from an on-ramp, while the gas pedal is depressed, I will get a series of sensor alerts simultaneously (city brake malfunction, park assist malfunction, lane assist malfunction, etc.) and my gas pedal becomes non-functional at 60-70mph. It is terrifying especially when there is other traffic around my vehicle. This exact issue has happened 6 times within the past 12-18 months at seemingly random intervals but always when I am accelerating onto the highway at 50-70mph. I typically pull off to the side of the highway and turn off the vehicle. After letting it sit off for ~30 seconds, I turn the vehicle back on and all of the sensor alerts have cleared and the vehicle functions properly including the gas pedal and I am able to rejoin the highway. …
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.
Brakes
Engine Coolant Leaking from rear of engine near Exhaust / turbocharger at Cylinder Head. No Warning Lights indicating problem until coolant level low causing overheating and fire risk. Rear Brakes not releasing completely from "City Mode" where brakes are kept close to rotor "to increase braking response in City driving" - causes premature brake wear, warped brake rotors (reoccurs within 10K miles from new / replaced rotors) Front Bumper Fascia keeps coming loose at clips near headlights on both Driver and passenger side. Had replaced at dealership 3 times, but continues. Bumper coming loose and can obstruct headlights while moving around at highway speeds
The vehicle has tire pressure monitoring system malfunction warnings and parking brake malfunction warnings even after taking to dealership to be fixed. Was told it's a known problem by Mazda, should be recalled, but there were not any current recalls for the issue.
2016 Mazda CX-9 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 21 / 26 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Mazda CX-9 a good car?
Based on 107 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 CX-9 rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the CX-9 at the same age. It is one of the CX-9 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Mazda CX-9?
The engine & cooling — 71 complaints, 66% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (14) and brakes (11).
How many recalls does the 2016 Mazda CX-9 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2016 Mazda CX-9. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda CX-9?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2015, 2022 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012, 2011, 2018, 2008 and 2010. See the full Mazda CX-9 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Mazda CX-9 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 40,000 miles; 66% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.