Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Mazda CX-9 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's husband owns a 2019 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a diagnostic test, she was informed that the head gasket was cracked, and fluids were leaking into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. Additionally, the message "Excessive Engine Temperature - Engine Output Will be Limited" was displayed. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,756.
The contact owns a 2019 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated while driving 15 mph, she heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
On the last week of May, my car started experiencing sputtering and stalling out problems. I made an appointment at Mazda dealership for june 6th.meantime my husband checked all fluids and coolant was low so we topped up. Car was being driven very limited due to safety concerns. Then While driving on the freeway my car displayed a "excessive engine temperature, engine output will be limited" immediately my car reduced speed from about 65mph to under 15 mph while having my whole family including myself and 4 children in the car. We almost got hit by several cars while trying to get over to the shoulder. Once pulled over to the shoulder my husband came and followed me home on the back streets. Once again checked fluids and coolant again was back low this time empty. So In a day it completely had no coolant left. …
Mazda has an open TSB Technical Service Bulletin for this and many other Mazda's with the same engine- TSB-Collant Leaks at Cylinder Heads, Bulletin # - 01-013/21 issued 10/15/21 (CRACKED CYLINDER HEADS) My 2019 Mazda is right here on the list: Mazda Dealer claims I have to replace the engine at a cost estimated at $12,000 us dollars no offer or solution to repair the cylinder head which is upward of $5,000.00 us dollars. cars under there warranty are covered. Many models across the country are leaving people like myself stuck with a major engine issue and Mazda admitting they have a problem without stepping up and supporting and paying for this high repair cost to correct the issue. Enclosed is a snip of the actual TSB Mazda sent to all their Dealers. …
While driving on highway I get a message on my dashboard "High Engine Temperature/Engine Output may be limited" warning message. I pullover and see that the cooland is low. I wait for thee car to cool down and fill with coolant. After 5 minutes of driving, get the same message on dash. I had car towed to Martin Mazda in Delaware. Diagnosis is that I need a new EGR valve and new engine $13,000. How coincidental it has the same symptoms as described in TSB and manifests itself differently and not covered? I even had my vehicle towed to John Kennedy Mazda in Pennsylvania and diagnosis is coolant is leaking into my engine. Too much of a coincidence and I am not the only Mazda owner experiencing this. My car is part of the VIN for the Mazda Powertrain Warranty Extension Technical Service Bulletin 01-002/23 (Feb. 10, 2023). …
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? ANSWER: Engine failure due to overheating. 2. safety & indicators: ANSWER: During evening rush hour traffic on a 3 lane highway my car went into a form of engine power saving mode while i had children in the vehicle; this was almost catastrophic form my family and the other vehicles around me. there was NO warning. there were no previous issues with my vehicle, this was unexpected. 3. technician review: this is a known issue with no warning: The technician inspected your vehicle and found a concerning issue with the engine overheating. They scanned the vehicle and found a trouble code P111A, indicating the engine coolant reached a temperature of 251.6 degrees Fahrenheit, forcing the engine into limp mode. …
The engine cylinder head developed an internal coolant leak, allowing coolant to enter the combustion chamber. This caused engine overheating and smoke coming from the tailpipe while driving. A dealer performed a coolant pressure test confirming coolant leaking into the combustion chamber, and wet/dry compression testing on all 4 cylinders showed low and inconsistent readings consistent with cylinder head coolant intrusion (Cylinder 1: 105/125 psi, Cylinder 2: 115/125 psi, Cylinder 3: 110/175 psi, Cylinder 4: 160/190 psi). Overheating creates a risk of sudden loss of power and potential engine failure while driving, including on the highway. The problem has been confirmed and diagnosed by an authorized dealer service center, and the manufacturer's technical hotline department reviewed the diagnostic findings directly. …
I have a coolant leak that I have not been able to locate. Despite replacing the radiator, the leak persists. When I contacted the dealer to inquire about estimates for changing the water pump and timing chain, they advised that it would be more cost-effective to replace the entire engine, which would require removing the existing engine at a starting cost of $5,000, with a new engine costing approximately $6,000. They suggested that if I'm already experiencing issues, it might be better to either replace the engine or consider selling the vehicle and purchasing a new one. This response implies that the dealer might be aware of a larger underlying issue and prefers not to address it directly. Experiencing a coolant leak while on the freeway can lead to serious consequences. It can cause the engine to overheat, potentially resulting in significant engine damage and a complete breakdown. …
Car coolant warning light came on for a short time 5 min after starting car, then would go off. During severely cold days it would come on then go off once the car was warm. On 2/25/25 the coolant warning light appeared and stayed on. The car made loud rickety noise, as it warmed up. After driving 2 miles the car coolant light turned red and began blinking. An alert appeared saying car over heating. The car was stopped and smoke came out of the car. The car leaked blue/greenish fluid. Overnight the car cooled. The next day the car continued making loud rickety noise driving to dealership. Dealership would not honor extended warranty for coolant leaks at the cylinder. The water pump cracked, with coolant leak also causing the cylinder to crack and leak oil. Dealership is suggesting total engine replacement. …
The engine developed a sudden coolant leak on the rear of the engine. A warning comes up stating that the car could overheat and lose power. After a few minutes and no sign of the car overheating, the car loses power and slows down on its own. The car has not yet been seen by the dealer or a repair shop due to no appointments available. Mazda USA has issued a TSB stating the issue with the engine and they state that a design flaw causes the cylinder head to crack because of the external forces from the exhaust system over bumps. The failure appeared all of a sudden with no warning lights or indications, it just started leaking a small amount of coolant one day. Now I'm waiting for Mazda USA to tell us how they are going to remedy this issue and provide assistance. According to their TSB this affects three different vehicle models with the same 2.5L turbo engine built from 2016 to 2020.
Engine complaints in other CX-9 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2019 Mazda CX-9?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2019 Mazda CX-9, 43% of the model year's 53 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2019 Mazda CX-9 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2019 Mazda CX-9, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2019 Mazda CX-9 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 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.