Question 1

Do you use OEM or aftermarket key fobs for the 2016 CX-9?

Accepted Answer

The blank we use matches the factory spec for this vehicle -- correct button count, correct frequency, correct transponder type. That part matters more than the OEM label.

Where things go wrong with the 2016 CX-9 is when a locksmith or online buyer grabs a generic blank that looks close but isn't a proper match. Mazda forums have threads from owners who had a fob programmed by a shop that used the wrong board, and the key-warning light never cleared even after the car started fine. Some had buttons stop responding within days. That's not a programming problem -- it's a parts-matching problem.

We confirm the correct blank against your VIN before we leave for the job. If the part isn't right, we don't guess and hope. That's how you avoid a callback.

Question 2

How long should a replacement key fob hold up on a 2016 CX-9?

Accepted Answer

A properly matched and programmed fob should last years without issue. The programming itself doesn't degrade. What does wear is the physical shell -- the button pads flatten out over time and the casing can crack if it takes a hard drop. On this generation of Mazda smart keys, the battery contact tray is also something to watch. If the fob gets pried open the wrong way during a battery swap, the contact can get a slight bend that causes intermittent connection problems down the road.

If the shell cracks or the buttons go soft, the electronics can often be transferred into a new housing instead of replacing the whole programmed fob. Worth asking about before you pay for a full replacement.

Question 3

What happens if the new key has problems after a few weeks?

Accepted Answer

Call us. We come back and make it right.

The specific failures that show up on Mazda smart keys after a short time are usually one of three things: a parts mismatch that slipped through, a programming step that didn't fully complete, or a battery seating issue. All three are fixable. None of them should cost you a second service call if the shop stands behind their work. We do.

Question 4

My 2016 CX-9 shows a key warning on the dash but the car still starts. What's going on?

Accepted Answer

This is one of the more common complaints on CX-9 forums and it usually points to one of two things: a fob battery that's dropping below the threshold the system wants to see, or a fob that's getting interference from something close to it -- another fob, a phone, certain key chains with RFID cards.

The vehicle security system on this generation can detect the fob well enough to allow a start but still throw a warning if the signal strength reads low during the initial handshake. That's the system doing its job, not failing.

First move is a fresh CR2025. If the warning clears and stays gone, you're done. If it comes back after the battery swap, the fob itself may need closer attention -- either the contact is bent or the board has an issue. That's where I come in.

Question 5

I lost both keys to my 2016 CX-9. Is all-keys-lost harder to do than just adding a spare?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it takes longer. When you have at least one working fob present, adding a second is a shorter process. All-keys-lost means the immobilizer has to be reset through the diagnostic port before any new fob can be registered, and that reset involves a timed security countdown that you can't skip. On the 2016 CX-9, that process runs through the OBD port and requires the right equipment -- there's no manual workaround on this system.

The other thing all-keys-lost requires is solid proof of ownership. VIN, ID, and documentation. I check all of that before the work starts. Once the reset is done and the new fob is registered, the old lost fobs are erased from the system, so even if someone finds one, it won't start your car.

Plan for about 45 minutes to an hour on an all-keys-lost job for this vehicle.

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