CarBrief

NHTSA has 107 owner complaints for the 2016 CX-9, and 71 of them name the engine group[1][2]. NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year[3].

107owner complaints[1]
23–24MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 107 owner complaints on file for this model year[1]. Three mention a crash, one a fire and three injuries. No deaths were reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Component group Complaints
Engine[2] 71
Electrical system[5] 14
Brakes[6] 11
Power train[7] 9
Fuel/propulsion[8] 7
Unknown or other[9] 6
Structure[10] 4
Seats[11] 3

Engine. The engine group has the most complaints. The median mileage at failure is 50,000[2]. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 6 describe a cracked cylinder head or a coolant leak, often with overheating and a large repair quote[2]. Three describe the car losing power or shutting off while driving, with warnings on the dash[2].

Power train. In a sample of 9 power train complaints, 7 describe the same cracked head or coolant leak story, and 2 describe the car rolling after it was parked or shut off[7].

Brakes. In a sample of 10 brake complaints[6], 3 mention smart brake or front radar malfunction warnings[6]. Three describe rear brakes dragging or locking, with heat and wear[6]. The median mileage at failure is 40,000[6].

Electrical. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints[5], 5 describe several warning messages appearing at once, sometimes with a loss of power[5]. Two describe seat heaters getting too hot[5]. The median mileage at failure is 24,000[5]. One electrical complaint mentions a fire[5].

The samples are small, so treat them as examples of what owners describe, not as a rate for every car.

Recalls

NHTSA shows 0 recalls on file for the 2016 CX-9[3]. That does not rule out problems. It only means no recall has been filed for this model year. The complaints above are owner reports, not confirmed defects.

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the 2.5L 4-cylinder turbo with an automatic (S6) on regular fuel[4][12].

Add[4][12] after the sentence.

Engine and size

The EPA lists the 2.5L 4-cylinder at 227 hp[13]. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

FWD AWD
Length 200 in 200 in
Width 78 in 78 in
Height 68 in 68 in
Wheelbase 115 in 115 in
Curb weight 4,050 lb 4,341 lb

Sources:[14] for FWD and[15] for AWD.

How 2016 compares with other years

2007: 86 complaints, 5 recalls20072008: 172 complaints, 5 recalls2009: 59 complaints, 6 recalls20092010: 195 complaints, 6 recalls2011: 170 complaints, 4 recalls20112012: 221 complaints, 4 recalls2013: 68 complaints, 4 recalls20132014: 54 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 35 complaints, 2 recalls20152016: 107 complaints, 0 recalls10720162017: 61 complaints, 0 recalls20172018: 128 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 53 complaints, 2 recalls20192020: 19 complaints, 1 recalls2021: 40 complaints, 1 recalls20212022: 11 complaints, 0 recalls2023: 13 complaints, 0 recalls2023
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each CX-9 model year. The 2016 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2007865
20081725
2009596
20101956
20111704
20122214
2013684
2014543
2015352
20161070
2017610
20181282
2019532
2020191
2021401
2022110
2023130

The 2016 model year has 107 complaints and 0 recalls[3]. Five years have more complaints: 2008 with 172, 2010 with 195, 2011 with 170, 2012 with 221 and 2018 with 128[3]. That puts 2016 sixth highest of the 17 years listed[3]. The 2017 model year has 61 complaints and 0 recalls, and 2015 has 35 complaints and 2 recalls[3]. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Should you buy a used 2016 CX-9?

The 2016 CX-9 has no recalls on file, and its EPA ratings are 23 to 24 combined MPG[3][4][12]. The engine group has the most complaints, 71 of the 107[1][2].[1][2]. In the sample we read, several of those texts describe a cracked cylinder head or coolant leak, so ask for service records and have a mechanic check for coolant loss and overheating. Complaints are unverified and our samples are small, so this is a reason to inspect, not a verdict on every car.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mazda CX-9?
Engine complaints lead with 71 of 107[1][2]. In the sample we read, owners describe cracked cylinder heads and coolant leaks[2].
Does the 2016 Mazda CX-9 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for this model year[3].
How many miles per gallon does the 2016 CX-9 get?
The EPA rates it 24 combined MPG for front-wheel drive[4] and 23 combined for 4-wheel drive[12].
How much horsepower does the 2016 CX-9 have?
The EPA lists the 2.5L 4-cylinder at 227 hp[13].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 107 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Mazda CX-9 (3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 71 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda CX-9 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for CX-9 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 14 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 24,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 11 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 9 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 7 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 34,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 6 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 4 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the seats component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. EPA rating for CX-9 4WD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Mazda CX-9 with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 227 hp. www.epa.gov
  14. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CX-9 4DR SUV FWD: length 200 in, width 78 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 4,050 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  15. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CX-9 4DR SUV AWD: length 200 in, width 78 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 4,341 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.