Dealer diagnosed manufacturing defect that caused crack in head. {Which could lead to engine failure, and subsequent accident due to engine failure during operation.} Engine lost coolant. No overheating noted. No warning/error codes noted.
2016 mazda CX-9 engine problems
moderate 49 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
49
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 14 most recent
My engine head cracked whiling driving. sudden lost of complete power in houston texas at a 75mph speed. Was able to safely pull to the side. took it to the dealer where they confirmed it was a cracked engine head. Its a common issue with this model from 2016-2019 no warning light came on just lost 90% power. was able to restart and drive the 7 mins to the dealer.
Car overheated. check front engine and could not see any visible leaks. check all around the engine and found coolant leaking from the back of the engine. confirm by dealer that is leaking at the cylinder head.
Engine failure with crack in the engine after a loss of coolant fluid.
I am being told by the dealership service center that there is a coolant leak from the engine. A previous coolant look due to a hose was repaired but this is a separate issue related to the TSB for coolant leak at the cylinder head Bulletin 01-007/22
Engine is leaking coolant. Took the car to Horne Mazda of Avondale dealership for inspection, was told coolant is leaking from cylinder head. Was told the engine overheated and both cylinder head and cylinder block warped and will need to replace the engine. I feel my safety and others were at risk because the car could have lost power and stalled in the middle of roadway at any time due to ther…
While driving, engine suddenly overheated due to coolant leak from cracked cylinder head. This was a known issue per the TSB 01-002/23. See attached. Vehicle only has 55k miles and has been maintained, only requiring oil change, topping off of fluids, and filter changes. Dealership has determined that it will require a completely new long block. Mazda USA is currently only willing to cover a small…
Head gasket leaking and caused major engine issue at 89,000 miles. Mazda has known of this issue, but refuses to recall it.
Cracked Cylinder Head due to Coolant Leak - SB 01-013/21. This is a known issue with Mazda, yet it has happened with the vehicle being serviced regularly. This is happens directly after the warranty period and it is not being covered.
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 immediat…
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2016 mazda CX-9?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 49 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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