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2016 Mazda CX-9
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
99 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 14, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Engine problems dominate (62% of complaints, typically reported near 63k miles).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Complaints are overwhelmingly minor: almost none involve crashes, fires, or injuries.
Zero recalls, rare for a car this age.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA hasn’t published a crash-test rating for this model year. That’s common for lower-volume or older models. It doesn’t mean the car is unsafe, just that this program hasn’t tested it.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2016 Mazda CX-9, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Brakes (11) · Transmission & drivetrain (9) · Fuel system (8)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Engine
62%61 complaints · typically near 63k mi · 9 in the last 2 years
“Engine failure with crack in the engine after a loss of coolant fluid.”
Electrical system
14%14 complaints · typically near 24k mi · 3 in the last 2 years
“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.”
Brakes
11%11 complaints
“Brake Booster damaged. I ended up with no brakes and nearly crashed.”
Transmission & drivetrain
9%9 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“I started smelling coolant after exiting the vehicle from a drive. Coolant level was very low. Adding coolant did not last long. I could not see where the leak was. Th…”
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2016 Mazda CX-9 beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2016? See how every CX-9 model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2016 Mazda CX-9 against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.