Cracked Cylinder Head

Looks like a well informed group. I bought a 2018 CX9 in January and absolutely love it. Handles nice, plenty of power, and really comfortable. Giant leap forward from the 1991 Subaru Legacy I had been driving for a few years. About 3 weeks ago I started smelling coolant after the car was fully warmed up. Called a mechanic friend to have him check for bad hoses, radiator leaks etc. Long story short, I took it to a Mazda dealer a few days ago, TSB in hand, and sure enough I need a new cylinder head. They gave me an estimate of $6741 to complete the work, but when I asked if parts were available, they said they are back-ordered with no ETA. The car has 87K miles on it, so no warranty. I've put 3K gentle miles on it in the 3 months I've had it. I guess I'm wondering if anyone has helpful contact information at MNAO since I basically have a car that I shouldn't drive, that can't be fixed, and if I try to sell it in it's current state I'll probably lose half of what I paid for it. Can't really afford to buy another car any time soon, so feeling kinda PO'd.
I had a cracked head about a year ago and it was covered by Mazda outside of the warranty at the same mileage roughly. It may be worth talking to the dealer about or even reaching out to Mazda USA. They covered labor, parts, and rental costs. Hopefully they get it fixed for you soon enough!
 
Looks like a well informed group. I bought a 2018 CX9 in January and absolutely love it. Handles nice, plenty of power, and really comfortable. Giant leap forward from the 1991 Subaru Legacy I had been driving for a few years. About 3 weeks ago I started smelling coolant after the car was fully warmed up. Called a mechanic friend to have him check for bad hoses, radiator leaks etc. Long story short, I took it to a Mazda dealer a few days ago, TSB in hand, and sure enough I need a new cylinder head. They gave me an estimate of $6741 to complete the work, but when I asked if parts were available, they said they are back-ordered with no ETA. The car has 87K miles on it, so no warranty. I've put 3K gentle miles on it in the 3 months I've had it. I guess I'm wondering if anyone has helpful contact information at MNAO since I basically have a car that I shouldn't drive, that can't be fixed, and if I try to sell it in it's current state I'll probably lose half of what I paid for it. Can't really afford to buy another car any time soon, so feeling kinda PO'd.
I am going through the same exact thing right now with one distinction, I'm over 100k miles but I'm the only owner and I've always gotten the car serviced at my dealership, I am quoted this repair estimate, north of $6.5k to get the repair done, they have performed an engine leak test which I had to pay $150 for, the diagnosis is Engine head cracked, and the repair is engine head replacement, the entire head and not just the head gasket. I have also reached out to Mazda North America operations customer experience to figure out if they can assist with anything however it doesn't look like they are going to. If someone has had the experience of getting through to MNOA I'd really appreciate if they share it. I was also told that the parts are on back order and that it would take 2 weeks to simply get the part. Also, while I communicate with MNOA, it has been a little over a week since the car has been sitting and now the dealership is telling me they will start charging me 30$/day if I don't get the car towed out by eod or approve the repair at my expense. Reaching out here if someone can provide guidance in this situation.
 
I am going through the same exact thing right now with one distinction, I'm over 100k miles but I'm the only owner and I've always gotten the car serviced at my dealership, I am quoted this repair estimate, north of $6.5k to get the repair done, they have performed an engine leak test which I had to pay $150 for, the diagnosis is Engine head cracked, and the repair is engine head replacement, the entire head and not just the head gasket. I have also reached out to Mazda North America operations customer experience to figure out if they can assist with anything however it doesn't look like they are going to. If someone has had the experience of getting through to MNOA I'd really appreciate if they share it. I was also told that the parts are on back order and that it would take 2 weeks to simply get the part. Also, while I communicate with MNOA, it has been a little over a week since the car has been sitting and now the dealership is telling me they will start charging me 30$/day if I don't get the car towed out by eod or approve the repair at my expense. Reaching out here if someone can provide guidance in this situation.
I am going through the same exact thing right now with one distinction, I'm over 100k miles but I'm the only owner and I've always gotten the car serviced at my dealership, I am quoted this repair estimate, north of $6.5k to get the repair done, they have performed an engine leak test which I had to pay $150 for, the diagnosis is Engine head cracked, and the repair is engine head replacement, the entire head and not just the head gasket. I have also reached out to Mazda North America operations customer experience to figure out if they can assist with anything however it doesn't look like they are going to. If someone has had the experience of getting through to MNOA I'd really appreciate if they share it. I was also told that the parts are on back order and that it would take 2 weeks to simply get the part. Also, while I communicate with MNOA, it has been a little over a week since the car has been sitting and now the dealership is telling me they will start charging me 30$/day if I don't get the car towed out by eod or approve the repair at my expense. Reaching out here if someone can provide guidance in this situation.
This is why I've always had triple A

Can always get towed when needed

I would just get it.towed back to your place until you decide what to do. See if someone else can do the repair for less labor cost. This is where Indy mechanics and engine specialists are better pricewise than dealers.

A tow and Indy mechanic will cost alot less than dealership. You can always take it back to dealership if that's what you decide.

And most dealerships have plenty of space unless it's a dealer in the city with limited parking. Strongarm tactics.

And tow it back to your place,. Then Get triple A so trip A can tow it to the next garage.
 
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I am going through the same exact thing right now with one distinction, I'm over 100k miles but I'm the only owner and I've always gotten the car serviced at my dealership, I am quoted this repair estimate, north of $6.5k to get the repair done, they have performed an engine leak test which I had to pay $150 for, the diagnosis is Engine head cracked, and the repair is engine head replacement, the entire head and not just the head gasket. I have also reached out to Mazda North America operations customer experience to figure out if they can assist with anything however it doesn't look like they are going Firstly, it’s the MNAO, Mazda North American Operations.to. If someone has had the experience of getting through to MNOA I'd really appreciate if they share it. I was also told that the parts are on back order and that it would take 2 weeks to simply get the part. Also, while I communicate with MNOA, it has been a little over a week since the car has been sitting and now the dealership is telling me they will start charging me 30$/day if I don't get the car towed out by eod or approve the repair at my expense. Reaching out here if someone can provide guidance in this situation.
Firstly, it’s the MNAO, Mazda North American Operations.

Secondly, please tell us the model year and the trim level of your CX-9. Assuming you have a 2.5T with over 100K miles which is well past 5-year / 60K-mile powertrain warranty, your chance getting any help is very slim. This head cracking problem isn’t long enough and wide-spread enough like it’s SkyActiv-D diesel and Mazda haven’t started any guidelines to do anything to help the car owners. Even if MNAO is willing to help you, the amount may not worth it and you may be better off to find a used engine and installed it by an indy.

I’d take the advice by Jack Rabbit above signing up a minimum AAA membership now so that you can tow your CX-9 a couple of times. The towing cost would be more expensive than the AAA membership fee.
 
Thank You! I'll reach out to BBB now.
In addition to BBB, you should also file a complaint at the HNTSA website. Although most people would believe the engine failure has nothing to do with the safety recall, but Mazds had a “safety recall” on its 2018 CX-5 with 2.5L NA and cylinder deactivation which could be forced by the NHTSA due to enough engine failure complaints filed.
 
Here to report that my heat wasn't working properly and turns out I have a coolant leak in my 2017 CX-9 with 73,000 kms on it (45k miles). Dealer said cracked sonar head gasket. Said repair would be $6,300 CAD plus tax but he got it down to $5,250 plus tax. They will replace the cylinder head.

He said the cylinder head now has a different part number than what was used in my vehicle and that they're actually on their third different part number now for this generation.

My powertrain warranty expired Dec. 7/22. This issue popped up a little under two months after expiry. Brought it to dealer and reached out to Mazda Canada to see if they could offer some goodwill and after 19 days they said no.

I am currently asking several Canadian auto news sites and the major papers if they have heard about this happening to Canadian consumers for this car. I have seen articles where it implied that it was because of media attention that drivers of a certain car joined in on class action suits and the manufacturer finally issued a recall. Hoping it will get to this point.
 
Here to report that my heat wasn't working properly and turns out I have a coolant leak in my 2017 CX-9 with 73,000 kms on it (45k miles). Dealer said cracked sonar head gasket. Said repair would be $6,300 CAD plus tax but he got it down to $5,250 plus tax. They will replace the cylinder head.

He said the cylinder head now has a different part number than what was used in my vehicle and that they're actually on their third different part number now for this generation.

My powertrain warranty expired Dec. 7/22. This issue popped up a little under two months after expiry. Brought it to dealer and reached out to Mazda Canada to see if they could offer some goodwill and after 19 days they said no.

I am currently asking several Canadian auto news sites and the major papers if they have heard about this happening to Canadian consumers for this car. I have seen articles where it implied that it was because of media attention that drivers of a certain car joined in on class action suits and the manufacturer finally issued a recall. Hoping it will get to this point.
I see what's happening .. this is more mileage and usage failure to than time failure. COVID and work at home probably hid the problem because nobody was driving so now the warranty years are up but the engines are failing. They really should have goodwill the repair for you or at least give you the head at cost. Good luck trying the public shaming tactic.
 
I️ just discovered that I️ have a cracked cylinder head and need to replace the engine on my 2017 CX-9, with 98k miles. The replacement cost is $8k (off-market brand) or $11k with the Mazda brand. Ugh.
 
I️ just discovered that I️ have a cracked cylinder head and need to replace the engine on my 2017 CX-9, with 98k miles. The replacement cost is $8k (off-market brand) or $11k with the Mazda brand. Ugh.
You don’t need a entire engine for cracked cylinder head but only a new head and exhaust manifold gasket and both are modified by Mazda based on the TSB.

2.5T Engine Coolant Leaking TSB

Poll 2.5T Coolant Leak/Engine Replacement

2.5T Cracked Cylinder Head/Leaking Coolant Report to the NHTSA

With 98K miles you may still contact Mazda North American Operations seeking for help for partial payment of the repair.

IMO the cheapest way for you to get the CX-9 fixed is to find a used 2.5T replacing yours, if MNAO refuses to help you. Unfortunately the price on used engines from salvage yard has skyrocketed nowadays and it used to be less than $1,000.
 
My 2018 CX- with 48,000 miles was just dropped off to the dealership. It has a cracked cylinder head and was leaking coolant pretty bad. My warranty just expired last week and the car is well under 60,000 miles and Mazda still will not cover all the costs. They are only paying $1,300 and I have to pay the remaining $3,000 plus tax. I just filed a complaint with the BBB. This is the worst car company I have ever dealt with. I will not be buying another Mazda. It's a shame because I really like this car.
 
My 2018 CX- with 48,000 miles was just dropped off to the dealership. It has a cracked cylinder head and was leaking coolant pretty bad. My warranty just expired last week and the car is well under 60,000 miles and Mazda still will not cover all the costs. They are only paying $1,300 and I have to pay the remaining $3,000 plus tax. I just filed a complaint with the BBB. This is the worst car company I have ever dealt with. I will not be buying another Mazda. It's a shame because I really like this car.
Check your actual "in service" date. Did you ask the dealership to submit for goodwill or did you call MNA and dealt with them directly? The dealership should be fighting for you. There are district managers and regional managers who could get it done. A week out of warranty is ridiculous and should be no questions asked replaced. If you need to get social media involved you should. It's not acceptable in this particular situation to cover anything less than the entire amount.
 
Check your actual "in service" date. Did you ask the dealership to submit for goodwill or did you call MNA and dealt with them directly? The dealership should be fighting for you. There are district managers and regional managers who could get it done. A week out of warranty is ridiculous and should be no questions asked replaced. If you need to get social media involved you should. It's not acceptable in this particular situation to cover anything less than the entire amount.
Thank you for the response. I have the car at the dealership and they submitted for goodwill. The response they got back from Mazda corporate was they would only cover that small percentage. The dealership said once corporate replies it's pretty much out of their hands which I also find unacceptable. I have to go pick up the loaner tomorrow and I will see what I can do to have it escalated to a regional or district manager. I was shocked when I got the phone call today because I read so many forums about people getting their cars fixed had no cost even out of warranty for this issue. Mazda's customer service number was no help at all.
 
My 2018 CX- with 48,000 miles was just dropped off to the dealership. It has a cracked cylinder head and was leaking coolant pretty bad. My warranty just expired last week and the car is well under 60,000 miles and Mazda still will not cover all the costs. They are only paying $1,300 and I have to pay the remaining $3,000 plus tax. I just filed a complaint with the BBB. This is the worst car company I have ever dealt with. I will not be buying another Mazda. It's a shame because I really like this car.
If I remember it correctly, the warranty usually lasts to the end of the purchased month. When did you buy the CX-9? And have you contacted Mazda North American Operations directly, not just a Mazda dealer? Escalate the case to at least the managerial level at MNAO.
 
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If I remember it correctly, the warranty usually lasts to the end of the purchased month. When did you buy the CX-9? And have you contacted Mazda North American Operations directly, not just a Mazda dealer? Escalate the case to at least the managerial level at MNAO.
I bought the car used in 2021 with 24,000 miles on it so I am not sure when it was originally driven off the lot. I contacted Mazda North America and asked to have my complaint escalated to a manager. I was told I would hear back from them in the next few days.
 
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