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2016 Mazda CX-9

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Mazda CX-9 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 61.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

29 reports with mileage · 75 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

11 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2023
Service BrakesWheels

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.

NHTSA ODI #11559545

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2022
EngineService BrakesStructure

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" - caus…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11480443

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2021
Service Brakes

Brake Booster damaged. I ended up with no brakes and nearly crashed.

NHTSA ODI #11435767

55,000 miles · Aug 17, 2020
Service Brakes

MY WIFE AND DAUGHTERS TOOK A TRIP, AND ON THE WAY HOME, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN TURNING ON THE ENGINE TO CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD. I WAS THINKING THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD TO DO WITH THE GAS CAP NOT BEING ON TIGHT SINCE FAMILY PURCHASED GAS ON THE TRIP BACK HOME. I DROVE THE CX-9 TO AUTOZ…

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MY WIFE AND DAUGHTERS TOOK A TRIP, AND ON THE WAY HOME, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN TURNING ON THE ENGINE TO CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD. I WAS THINKING THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD TO DO WITH THE GAS CAP NOT BEING ON TIGHT SINCE FAMILY PURCHASED GAS ON THE TRIP BACK HOME. I DROVE THE CX-9 TO AUTOZONE TO DETERMINE THE CODE FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT. THE ATTENDANT AT AUTOZONE WAS UNABLE TO REGISTER A CODE. HOWEVER, I NOTICED THE BRAKES FELT DIFFERENT ON THE DRIVE TO AUTOZONE. ALTHOUGH I HAD TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO STOP, IT TOOK LONGER TO STOP. IT ROLLED TO A STOP. WHEN I GOT BACK HOME, I HEARD A HISSING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. MAZDA'S OWNER'S MANUAL REGARDING THE ENGINE LIGHT INDICATES 1.) THE FUEL TANK LEVEL BEING VERY LOW, 2.) POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM, 3.) EMISSION CONTROL PROBLEM, OR 4.) FUEL FILLER CAP IS MISSING OR LOSE. THE NEXT MORNING I DROVE THE CX-9 TO SEE IF TIGHTENING THE GAS CAP WOULD CORRECT THE ENGINE LIGHT. DURING THE DRIVE, THE BRAKING SEEMED DIFFERENT. I WOULD PRESS THE BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL TO A STOP INSTEAD OF STOPPING. WHEN I WAS APPROACHING A CAR STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE VERY HARD TO AVOID THE VEHICLE. I PARKED IT AND CALLED THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALER. AFTER THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS DETERMINED TO BE FAULTY. I WAS CONFUSED ABOUT HOW A BRAKE BOOSTER AND AN ENGINE LIGHT CORRELATES. I'M ALSO TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ACTIVATED SINCE THIS RELATES TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. AFTER ADDITIONAL RESEARCH, I'M IN COMPLETE DISBELIEF THAT MAZDA IS AWARE, AND IT HAS NOT DECIDED TO ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE TAKE ACTION TO HAVE MAZDA RECALL THE BRAKE BOOSTERS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE SINCE IT'S AWARE THE PROBLEM IS AN EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11349951

60,000 miles · Oct 21, 2019
Service Brakes

BOTH REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP ON SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 70 MPH. EACH TIME THE BRAKE ENGAGED THEMSELVES AND LOCKED ONTO THE DISK/ROTOR. THIS CAUSED THE PADS TO BURN UP AND PRODUCE A LARGER QUANTITY OF SMOKE. ON ONE OCCASION THE ROTOR BECAME RED HOT, FLAME WAS VISIBLE, LOTS OF SMOKE WAS BEING PRODUCE…

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BOTH REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP ON SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 70 MPH. EACH TIME THE BRAKE ENGAGED THEMSELVES AND LOCKED ONTO THE DISK/ROTOR. THIS CAUSED THE PADS TO BURN UP AND PRODUCE A LARGER QUANTITY OF SMOKE. ON ONE OCCASION THE ROTOR BECAME RED HOT, FLAME WAS VISIBLE, LOTS OF SMOKE WAS BEING PRODUCED, AND IT WARPED ROTOR. EVERY TIME IT OCCURRED I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED IT OFF. AFTER THE RESTART OF THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES WERE NOT LOCKED BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AS NOW THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AN THE PADS WERE DESTROYED. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED NEW PADS, I DID BUT IT WAS DUE TO THE REAR BRAKES LOCKING UP ON THEIR OWN. I GOT THE PADS REPLACED AND 6 MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME I RECORDED A VIDEO ON MY PHONE AND SHOWED THE DEALER SHIP WHAT I EXPERIENCED AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY INFORMED THAT I NEEDED, NEW BRAKE PADS(AGAIN), ROTORS, AND PISTON BUT THEY DID NOT ADDRESS WHAT IS CAUSING THE REAR BRAKES ONLY TO LOCK UP ON THEIR OWN CREATING EXCESSIVE WEAR AND DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE COMPONENTS. SOMETHING IS AND CONTINUES TO ENGAGE MY REAR BRAKES. IT LAST OCCURRED ON 10-04-19 AND IT HAS ONLY BEEN 3 DAYS SINCE THE MAZDA DEALER REPLACED THE DAMAGED PARTS AND UNDER HARD BRAKING THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHAKE WHICH ARE EARLY SIGNS OF WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE, SO ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT OCCURS AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11270101

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2019
Electrical SystemService Brakes

BRAKE LIGHTS COME UP INTERMITTENTLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN TEMPERATURE IS LOW. ALSO, FRONT RADAR SENSOR SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND SMART BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNINGS COME UP ALSO,. THIS IS DURING THE DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11174671

41,000 miles · Jan 7, 2019
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE TPMS WARNING CAME ON. I PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE AND PARK. THERE IS SMOKE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL IS EXTREMELY HOT, TOO HOT TO TOUCH. I CAN FEEL THE HEAT FROM ABOUT A FOOT AWAY. THERE IS METAL PINING AND GROANING AS IT COOLS DOWN, THE TIRE IS WARM, BUT N…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE TPMS WARNING CAME ON. I PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE AND PARK. THERE IS SMOKE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL IS EXTREMELY HOT, TOO HOT TO TOUCH. I CAN FEEL THE HEAT FROM ABOUT A FOOT AWAY. THERE IS METAL PINING AND GROANING AS IT COOLS DOWN, THE TIRE IS WARM, BUT NOT AS HOT AS THE CENTER A THE WHEEL. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL IS COOL TO THE TOUCH, AS ARE THE FRONT WHEELS. I TOGGLE THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE A FEW TIMES AND AFTER THE WHEEL HAS COOLED DOWN I DRIVE ON. THE PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN IN THE LAST 60 MILES, HOWEVER, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL NOW MAKES A NOISE WHEN BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED CONSISTENT WITH THE ROTATION OF THE WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI #11164856

40,000 miles · Aug 8, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineService Brakes

THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 31ST JULY, WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS CAR ON HIGHWAY 4 MARTINEZ, CA AT AROUND 5.00 PM WITH OUR DAUGHTER (2 YEARS OLD) RETURNING FROM DAYCARE. SHE WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 60 MILE/HR, WHEN THE CAR STARTED GIVING AUDIO VISUAL WARNINGS ON MULTIPLE FAILURES AND THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN WITHOUT RESPONDI…

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THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 31ST JULY, WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS CAR ON HIGHWAY 4 MARTINEZ, CA AT AROUND 5.00 PM WITH OUR DAUGHTER (2 YEARS OLD) RETURNING FROM DAYCARE. SHE WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 60 MILE/HR, WHEN THE CAR STARTED GIVING AUDIO VISUAL WARNINGS ON MULTIPLE FAILURES AND THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN WITHOUT RESPONDING TO THE GAS PEDAL AND ENGINE PROPULSION REDUCED TO 'ZERO'. MY WIFE PANICKED AND WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE CURB SIDE SAFELY, EVEN THOUGH TRAFFIC WAS VERY HIGH. SHE STOPPED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED FOR 10 MINS AND RESTARTED THE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES AND MADE SURE THAT NO MORE WARNINGS ARE DISPLAYED, BEFORE DRIVING AGAIN, HOWEVER THE 'ENGINE WARNING LIGHT' STAYED ON. AFTER A WHILE SHE DROVE HOME ALMOST 40 MILES AWAY VERY CAREFULLY WITHOUT USING ANY CRUISE CONTROL. HERE ARE THE WARNINGS, THAT CAME ON DURING THIS FAILURE, PICTURES ATTACHED. ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT. TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR. STABILITY CONTROL INDICATOR. TEMPERATURE INDICTOR CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE WARNING MESSAGE 'FRONT RADAR SENSOR SYSTEM MALFUNCTION' WARNING MESSAGE 'FORWARD SMART CITY BREAK MALFUNCTION' AFTER A DAY WE DROPPED THE CAR TO MAZDA DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND THEY FOUND MULTIPLE FAILURE CODES AND THEY DID NECESSARY REPAIR (INSPECTION AND REPAIR INVOICE ATTACHED). EVEN BEFORE THIS INCIDENT , WE REPORTED MULTIPLE TIMES TO DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR CENTRAL INFORMATION SYSTEM ABRUPTLY SHUTS DOWN DURING DRIVE. BUT THEY ALWAYS SAID THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THIS INCIDENT ON A FREEWAY WAS VERY SERIOUS, MY FAMILY OR OTHER DRIVERS COULD HAVE BEEN IN A INJURY ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE WITH MAZDA.

NHTSA ODI #11118566

6,000 miles · Aug 8, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING AT 5:45AM ON 06/05/2018 GOING 65 MPH AND MY CAR CUTS ENGINE POWER AND STARTS LOWLY DECLINING PRESSING GAS DID NOTHING AND MULTIPLE NOTIFICATIONS FLASHING SUCH AS VEHICLE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, FORWARD SMART CITY BRAKE SUPPORT MALFUNCTION, SMART BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. I HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE O…

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DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING AT 5:45AM ON 06/05/2018 GOING 65 MPH AND MY CAR CUTS ENGINE POWER AND STARTS LOWLY DECLINING PRESSING GAS DID NOTHING AND MULTIPLE NOTIFICATIONS FLASHING SUCH AS VEHICLE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, FORWARD SMART CITY BRAKE SUPPORT MALFUNCTION, SMART BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. I HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY I CAN'T EVEN SAY I CAN PULL OFF SAFELY BECAUSE ALL POWER WAS CUT. SO LET THE CAR SIT FOR 5 MINUTES WHILE OFF AND THEN RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT WORK. I TOOK PICTURES AS EVERYTHING WAS HAPPENING BECAUSE I KNOW THE DEALER SHIP WILL SAY SOMETHING LIKE "WELP IT AIN'T HAPPENING HERE SO YOUR CAR IS FINE." I AM VERY FORTUNATE WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I DECIDED TO LEASE THE VEHICLE SO I CAN JUST TAKE THE CAR BACK. THESE MALFUNCTIONS SEEM LIKE A VERY SEVERE PROBLEM AND I DO NOT WANT TO HANG ON TO THE VEHICLE. ONCE 30K PASSES I WILL BE SUPER SCREWED! I CALLED DEALER SHIP AND THEY ARE BOOKED OUT 2 WEEKS SO I CANT EVEN TAKE THE CAR IN RIGHT AWAY, PLUS THEY AREN'T EVEN SURE IF THEY'LL HAVE A RENTAL FOR ME WHEN I DROP IT OFF. ALSO TO MENTION, AC UNIT ALREADY HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND A SUSPENSION RECALL. WORSE CAR I'VE HAD SO FAR ITS SUCKS BECAUSE MAZDA USED TO BE SO GREAT. THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUCKS BIG TIME! I NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF SERVICE OR ISSUES THIS SEVERE WITH MY CHEVY. 08/07/2018 I TOOK CARE IN AGAIN FOR SAME SITUATION ALONG WITH AC AND ALL MAZDA TELLS ME IS THEY ARE LOOKING INTO AND ASSURE ME IT WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF THIS TIME. (ALSO SAID LAST TIME) I THINK THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE ISSUE! I CALLED CORPORATE TO ASK FOR A REFUND AND GIVE THE CAR BACK AND ALL THE TOLD ME WAS TO GIVE DEALERSHIP ANOTHER CHANCE TO FIX THE ISSUE. IT IS SO UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HAVE KIDS IN THE CAR, I AM VERY FORTUNATE TO NOT HAVE MY BABY NEPHEW AND NIECES WITH ME WHEN THESE THINGS WERE HAPPENING.

NHTSA ODI #11118501

16,000 miles · May 2, 2018
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

WHEN DRIVING AT 35-50 MPH, MY 2016 MAZDA CX-9 PERIODICALLY BRAKES SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING TO A SCRUBBING FORCEFUL STOP TOSSING THINGS OFF THE BACK SEAT, PLACING ME IN DANGER OF A REAR-END COLLISION. SOMETIMES A VERY QUICK BEEPING SOUND IS MADE, "B-R-A-K-E" APPEARS ON THE PANEL IN LARGE LETTERS --- THEN THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY COMES…

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WHEN DRIVING AT 35-50 MPH, MY 2016 MAZDA CX-9 PERIODICALLY BRAKES SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING TO A SCRUBBING FORCEFUL STOP TOSSING THINGS OFF THE BACK SEAT, PLACING ME IN DANGER OF A REAR-END COLLISION. SOMETIMES A VERY QUICK BEEPING SOUND IS MADE, "B-R-A-K-E" APPEARS ON THE PANEL IN LARGE LETTERS --- THEN THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY COMES TO A SUDDEN STOP OR IT OCCURS WITH NO NOTICE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 3 OR 4 TIMES ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. NO OBJECTS OF VEHICLES WERE IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF ME AND THE SENSOR WAS CLEAN WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED.THIS SUDDEN STOPPING HAS OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY, IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND ON CITY STREETS. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 6 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED 03/17/17. I AM FEARFUL THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO ME AND OTHERS.

NHTSA ODI #11091416

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.