Is the 2016 Mazda CX-9 reliable?

The 2016 Mazda CX-9 has 141 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Mazda CX-9?

Top problems: ENGINE (67 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (14 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (11 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Mazda CX-9?

No recalls have been issued for the 2016 Mazda CX-9.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Mazda CX-9?

The 2016 Mazda CX-9 gets 24 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Mazda CX-9?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Mazda CX-9 is approximately $1,617/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Mazda CX-9

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Mazda CX-9 has 141 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.8x the segment average of 78. The most common issue is engine problems (48% of all complaints), specifically: immediately upon making a sharp right turn into a parking spot, the car suddenly accelerated at a very fast pace without me pushing the gas pedal. my immediate reaction was to press on the brake, but it did not stop. the car slammed into a planter in front of me. the car moved so quickly that it w. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 4 crash reports 4 injuries

141

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

67 complaints

48%

• IMMEDIATELY UPON MAKING A SHARP RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY FAST PACE WITHOUT ME PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. MY IMMEDIATE REACTION WAS TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT DID NOT STOP. THE CAR SLAMMED INTO A PLANTER IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR MOVED SO QUICKLY THAT IT W
• 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
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“IMMEDIATELY UPON MAKING A SHARP RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY FAST PACE WITHOUT ME PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. MY IMMEDIATE REACTION WAS TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT DID NOT STOP. THE CAR SLAMMED INTO A PLANTER IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR MOVED SO QUICKLY THAT IT W”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Mazda CX-9

Based on 46 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 32K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 50K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 40K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 24K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Later than typicalmedian 32K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Mazda CX-9

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,001

Per month

$167

Per mile

16.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Mazda CX-9

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,617

Full coverage / month

$135

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-3%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1617

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mazda CX-9 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

120K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

SkyActiv-G naturally aspirated engines. AWD models need transfer case and rear differential service every 60K.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mazda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Mazda. If you're buying a used 2016 CX-9, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mazda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 141 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: IMMEDIATELY UPON MAKING A SHARP RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY FAST PACE WITHOUT ME PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. MY IMMEDIATE REACTION WAS TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT DID NOT STOP. THE CAR SLAMMED INTO A PLANTER IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR MOVED SO QUICKLY THAT IT W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: IMMEDIATELY UPON MAKING A SHARP RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY FAST PACE WITHOUT ME PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. MY IMMEDIATE REACTION WAS TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT DID NOT STOP. THE CAR SLAMMED INTO A PLANTER IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR MOVED SO QUICKLY THAT IT W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: ONE MILE FROM HOME THE SMART BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION & FRONT RADAR SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WAS DISPLAYED. CAR WAS SHAKING AND ACTING AS IF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ACTIVE WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. CAR WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATE. HAD I BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED. PULLED OVER T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: THE PUSH BUTTON ON/OFF SWITCH DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF IF TRANSMISSION IS ACCIDENTALLY LEFT IN ANY POSITION OTHER THAN 'P'. FOR EXAMPLE ITS POSSIBLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN 'R' AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. FOR A BUSY PARENT (TARGET DEMOGRAPHIC OF THIS VEHICLE), THIS IS VERY D
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)