Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mazda CX-9, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 46 | 46% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 4% |
| Power train | 4 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 2% |
| Power train | 2 | 2% |
| Wheels | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
In June of 2022 I started having a strong antifreeze/engine coolant smell inside the cab of my vehicle and also outside the vehicle. I had the car checked for a radiator leak, but there wasn’t one. I took my car into my
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Smart City Break Malfunction warning light appears while driving. Simultaneously the tire pressure warning appears. Also, at the same time, the temperature reads -20 to -40 degrees. Yes, vehicle is available for inspect
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Engine failure with crack in the engine after a loss of coolant fluid.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Head gasket leaking and caused major engine issue at 89,000 miles. Mazda has known of this issue, but refuses to recall it.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Sudden and dramatic loss of engine coolant. Received a warning that engine was overheating, and to shut off engine. Quickly obeyed the prompt and found that most of the engine coolant had been lost due to a catastrophic
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Vehicle failed to turn off the engine while in park and I was unable to lock vehicle while engine was still running. The ignition button failed to work.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The entire electrical system is malfunctioning. All dashboard service lights (check engine, ABS, etc.) illuminate simu
NHTSA complaint: Steering
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 80 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 87 | excellent |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 46 of them (46%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2016 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 75/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.