Mazda CX-9 - How Concerned Should I Be about Cracked Cylinder Head Problems?

LinYourdream on 24/01/2025 - 21:04
Last edited 24/01/2025 - 21:10 by 1 other user

I’m buying a SUV soon and I’m debating between the CX-9 and Kluger.

I’ve done some reading and it sounds like cracked cylinder heads have been a fairly common issue with ‘16-‘20 skyactive engines. Or maybe it’s not that common and my reading is biased because I’ve found articles confirming my concerns.

Anyone willing to share thoughts on purchasing a used car from the affected production range (‘16-‘20)? Is it worth the risk? How widespread is the cylinder head problem among CX-9s? Any new information about identifying affected engines?

Appreciate your feedback!

Automotive Car Mazda Toyota

Comments

  • jv on 24/01/2025 - 21:05
    +4

    very

    • Murkymerv on 24/01/2025 - 21:17
      +1

      JV , "you've done it again".

  • 7ekn00 on 24/01/2025 - 21:18

    Roughly 7.324567118% chance per 364.556812 days

  • Murkymerv on 24/01/2025 - 21:18
    +7

    You've identified an expensive generic problem . what's the solution ? Don't buy it ……

  • Euphemistic on 24/01/2025 - 21:35
    +2

    How many of each do you see on the roads? Keep an eye out, make your decision based on how many you see.

    Confirmation bias is a real problem. As is the negative skew of reviews and reports on the internet.

    Don't forget to check the price of a repair. If you can live with that potential, it may change the answer.

    I bought a navara about 8 years ago. Lots of reports of timing chain failure and catastrophic engine damage. Coat of a replacement engine means the vehicle is virtually a write off. I bought it anyway. Theres heaps on the roads. Its still running.

    • mskeggs on 24/01/2025 - 21:42
      +1

      DON’T JINX IT!

    • inYourdream on 24/01/2025 - 21:56

      obviously there are plenty of cx-9 on the road,
      I am not sure if mazda would honour the warranty if the engine is failed caused by the cylinder head.
      the cost to fix it would be around 4k I think

      Kluger is a good car as well but petrol wise would be bit too much I reckon

      • pegaxs on 24/01/2025 - 22:02

        You think it would be $4k… this isn’t the late 90’s any more, champ. You could probably slap a 1 in front of that “4k” and it would be a closer estimate.

        • MS Paint on 24/01/2025 - 22:19
          +1

          OPs username checks out.

          Unless it was in USD using Mexican labour.

          • pegaxs on 24/01/2025 - 22:22
            +3

            @MS Paint: Got Scotty Kilmer to do the job…

            I don’t even think Uncle Ian would touch a CX9 head replacement for $4k.

    • donga100 on 25/01/2025 - 10:06
      +4

      How many of each do you see on the roads? Keep an eye out, make your decision based on how many you see.

      I've seen a lot of Cruze and Captiva on the roads. Not sure that's a good strategy.

      • Euphemistic on 25/01/2025 - 13:16
        +1

        Not sure the cruze and captiva had any catastrophic failures did they? AFAIK they keep driving but just have a bunch of stupid niggly faults.

        • brendanm on 25/01/2025 - 14:37
          +1

          They have lots of catastrophic failures.

          • Euphemistic on 25/01/2025 - 16:59

            @brendanm: Fair enough, but also goes tp show thag even with 'loads of catastrophic failures' there are still plenty that keep on going.

            Lile a lot of things that get reported on the intenet, its obviously skewed on the internet. Its not 'they all blow up' but thats how everyone sees it.

        • JIMB0 on 25/01/2025 - 16:51

          The diesel engine in the Craptiva blows up and as does the auto in the Cruze

  • Gunnar on 24/01/2025 - 23:52
    +2

    Just overnight parts from Japan

    • 87percent on 25/01/2025 - 08:06
      +2

      Only works for Honda Civics

  • LanceVance on 25/01/2025 - 09:07
    +1

    So just get a newer one out of that production range. Otherwise Kluger will probably be more reliable whereas the Mazda will be more enjoyable to drive.
    Anecdotally, my mechanic is a big fan of the CX-9, one of his clients runs an airport transfer business with 3 of them, they each have around 400,000 k's on the clock with no sign of slowing down.

  • skid on 25/01/2025 - 09:41
    +2

    Found you two years ago. It's the same engine from 2014 to 2018. Those reports are from American conditions. Haven't heard of these issues in Australian conditions.

    • brendanm on 25/01/2025 - 09:46
      +2

      Has op been searching for a car for 2 years, or weirdly copied a 2 year old Reddit thread?

      • inYourdream on 25/01/2025 - 15:20

        I just copied the thread to find out if its happening in Australia or not
        thank you though

  • JIMB0 on 25/01/2025 - 10:54
    +2

    Just get the Toyota and live worry free.

  • SYLTB on 25/01/2025 - 14:27
    -1

    Crap japan, korean cars get broken down and you come here to cry. Buy German car, no cry.

    • inYourdream on 25/01/2025 - 15:22

      I was thinking to buy Volkswagen tiguan 7 seaters actually, is it good ?

      • SYLTB on 25/01/2025 - 15:52

        I don't know about Tigs, but German cars do not get broken. You cannot see a bonnet up German car on roads.

        • Flutterby on 27/01/2025 - 01:56
          -1

          Because they are in the workshop getting the engine jacked out?

  • ratoloko on 25/01/2025 - 19:57
    +2

    Mazda?? A couple bought one once ( cannot recall the model ) and they had to sell it.
    The maintenance cost was a robbery.
    You have other problems than just the engine.

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