⌘K
HomeMazdaCX-92016
Mazda · Compact SUV

2016 Mazda CX-9

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
A
Safety Signal
100 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns0
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA104
Crash ratingNHTSA overall
Fuel economybest combined, EPA24 mpg
20232022202120202019201820172016

The 2016 Mazda CX-9 is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the CX-9 2WD, is EPA-rated at 24 mpg combined. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year so far (Safety Signal A). Owners have filed 104 complaints, most often about the engine.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
CX-9 2WDGasFWD2.5L 4-cyl turbo222824$2,600
CX-9 4WDGas4WD2.5L 4-cyl turbo212623$2,700

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 37523, 37525.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Mazda CX-9 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

Compare coverage →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (0)

Source: NHTSA recall database

No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for the 2016 Mazda CX-9. New campaigns appear here within a week of NHTSA posting them.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
104complaints filed

3 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 3 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2018: 7 · 2019: 8 · 2020: 5 · 2021: 6 · 2022: 23 · 2023: 17 · 2024: 26 · 2025: 5 · 2026: 2

Most-cited components

Engine65
Electrical System14
Service Brakes11
Power Train9
Fuel/Propulsion System7
Unspecified6

What owners describe

“The cylinder head has cracked and it leaks antifreeze. This can cause the vehicle to overheat and destroy the engine. It is apparently a known issue as Mazda has issued 3 technical service bulletins addressing the problem. They have even redesigned a new part to replace the faulty one. In the TSB they even address that…”Sep 14, 2022 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“My Engine is over heading because it has a crack and losing coolant externally. There are 74773 mills on my car. Every 3 weeks I have to put a gallon of coolant in the engine. if I don't put coolant, the engine can stop working on the freeway causing bodily injury to me and other drivers.”Sep 7, 2022 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“Intermittent Airbag Warning Light (Code 18), Passenger Airbag Deactivation light not operating and no warning chime indicating unbuckled passenger side seat belt. The safety issue appears to be related to the airbag and related safety equipment. In the dash, within the speed and rpm display, the red airbag warning ligh…”Aug 27, 2022 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other CX-9 model years

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

JSON for this page · API