DRL IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DRIVER SIDE COMPLETELY RUN OUT, PASSENGER SIDE - DIMMED AND FLICKERING PERMANENTLY. SMART CITY BRAKE SUPPORT SYSTEM IS DISABLED AND NOT WORKING AS WELL AS ADAPTIVE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS.
2016 Mazda CX-5
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most CX-5 years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Mazda CX-5 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 133.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all CX-5 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
335 reports with mileage · 175 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 161 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
71 reportsPASSENGER'S SIDE LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT FAILURE. I HAD THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE SAME ISSUE PREVIOUSLY. VEHICLE HAS 32XXX MILES NOW AND THE SAME LED DRL LIGHT FAILED AGAIN., I HAVE YET TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER (NOTICED IT TODAY)
LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT ON PASSENGER-SIDE HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND IS VERY DIM. ON A FEW OCCASIONS, THE DRIVER OF VEHICLE IN FRONT STATED THAT IT LOOKED AS IF MY HEADLIGHT WAS OUT AS WELL. VEHICLE IS ONLY 3-YEARS OLD. MILEAGE SHOULD NOT AFFECT ELECTIRAL LED COMPONENTS. DRL'S OR HEADLIGHTS ARE REQUIRED DURING ADVERSE WEATHER COND…
Read full complaint
LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT ON PASSENGER-SIDE HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND IS VERY DIM. ON A FEW OCCASIONS, THE DRIVER OF VEHICLE IN FRONT STATED THAT IT LOOKED AS IF MY HEADLIGHT WAS OUT AS WELL. VEHICLE IS ONLY 3-YEARS OLD. MILEAGE SHOULD NOT AFFECT ELECTIRAL LED COMPONENTS. DRL'S OR HEADLIGHTS ARE REQUIRED DURING ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS OR WHEN OPERATING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS.
WHILE ON A RECENT HIGHWAY ROAD TRIP, MY 2016 MAZDA CX-5'S DRIVER SIDE DAYTIME RUNNING LED LIGHTS, WHICH COME EQUIPPED WITH THE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE, STOPPED ILLUMINATING PROPERLY. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP LED LIGHTS IN QUESTION WILL FLICKER OR NOT ILLUMINATE AT ALL. I FOUND THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AR…
Read full complaint
WHILE ON A RECENT HIGHWAY ROAD TRIP, MY 2016 MAZDA CX-5'S DRIVER SIDE DAYTIME RUNNING LED LIGHTS, WHICH COME EQUIPPED WITH THE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE, STOPPED ILLUMINATING PROPERLY. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP LED LIGHTS IN QUESTION WILL FLICKER OR NOT ILLUMINATE AT ALL. I FOUND THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE EQUIPPED ON VEHICLES TO ENHANCE VISIBILITY AND SAFETY. A FLICKERING DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP CAN CAUSE SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS RESULTING IN DISTRACTED DRIVING RELATED COLLISIONS. MAZDA ADVERTISED THESE SPECIFIC HEADLAMPS AS BEING A LONG LASTING AND PROVIDING ENHANCED SAFETY AS THEY ADAPT TO CHANGING ROADWAY CONDITIONS. UPON CONDUCTING INDEPENDENT RESEARCH INTO THE DRL (DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP), IT WAS LEARNED THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE 2016 MAZDA CX-5, WITH THE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE / LED HEADLAMPS, HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE ALMOST AS SOON AS THE BASIC FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRES. IT WAS THEN LEARNED THE AVERAGE COST TO GET THIS SITUATION REMEDIED WOULD RESULT IN HAVING TO PAY ALMOST $1500 - $2000 TO GET THE WHOLE HEADLAMP UNIT REPLACED. RESEARCH ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE REVEALED A FAULTY GASKET AT THE BASE OF THE HEADLAMP UNIT WHICH CAUSED MOISTURE/GAS TO DEVELOP ON THE INTERIOR OF THE HEADLAMP LENS, THIS IS ALSO PRESENT ON THIS VEHICLE. I FEEL THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE CAUSING THE HEADLAMP DRL TO MALFUNCTION DUE TO A MOISTURE BUILD UP, OR THE UNIT IS ALL TOGETHER DEFECTIVE FOR A CERTAIN GROUPING OF CX-5'S WITH THIS HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY I FEEL A RECALL INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE MALFUNCTION. I FEEL THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE AS IT WAS LEARNED THERE WAS A RECENT NATIONAL BACK ORDER FOR THESE HEADLAMPS, I FIND THAT SUSPICIOUS IF THEY WERE TO BE IN PROPER WORKING ORDER.
PASSANGER SIDE DAY TIME RUNNING HEADLIGHTS BEGAN FLICKERING FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND THEN SIMPLY WENT OUT. THIS CAR IS BRAND NEW WITHIN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF AND IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THE FULL HEADLAMP UNIT AS IT IS LED AND MAZDA KNOWINGLY INSTALLED THESE FAULTY HEADLAMPS. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS O…
Read full complaint
PASSANGER SIDE DAY TIME RUNNING HEADLIGHTS BEGAN FLICKERING FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND THEN SIMPLY WENT OUT. THIS CAR IS BRAND NEW WITHIN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF AND IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THE FULL HEADLAMP UNIT AS IT IS LED AND MAZDA KNOWINGLY INSTALLED THESE FAULTY HEADLAMPS. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF OTHER DOCUMENTED CASES OF THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET.
THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. I AGREE WITH COMPLAINTS 1090985 AND 10885776 IN THAT IT SEEMS TO BE FINE 90% OF THE TIME, WHICH LULLS YOU INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. NOW, I MAKE SURE THAT HE LIGHTS FLASH AS I WALK AWAY. I HAD TURNED OFF THE CHIRP BECAUSE IT DISTURBS THE PEACE, BUT MAY TURN IT BACK ON, SINCE WA…
Read full complaint
THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. I AGREE WITH COMPLAINTS 1090985 AND 10885776 IN THAT IT SEEMS TO BE FINE 90% OF THE TIME, WHICH LULLS YOU INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. NOW, I MAKE SURE THAT HE LIGHTS FLASH AS I WALK AWAY. I HAD TURNED OFF THE CHIRP BECAUSE IT DISTURBS THE PEACE, BUT MAY TURN IT BACK ON, SINCE WALKING AWAY AND LOOKING BACK ALSO HAS ITS RISKS. I COULD BE WALKING AWAY TOO QUICKLY SOMETIMES OR SOMETHING ELSE IN MY POCKET MAY BE SHIELDING THE KEY FOB, BUT IF OTHERS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM, MAYBE IT IS NOT A USER ISSUE. PERHAPS THE OWNER'S MANUAL SHOULD MENTION THESE POSSIBILITIES, IF THEY INDEED ARE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. AN UNLOCKED CAR IS A SERIOUS SECURITY RISK.
ON 07/28/2017, AIR BAG LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGAN TO FLASH WHILE DRIVING ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS OCCUPIED. LASTED UNTIL VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. MAZDA DEALER FOUND CODE B00A0 FOR PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM. THEY RESET THE CODE AND TESTED AIR BAG SYSTEM, THEY STATED THAT ALL SYSTEMS PASS TEST. ON 10/16/20…
Read full complaint
ON 07/28/2017, AIR BAG LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGAN TO FLASH WHILE DRIVING ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS OCCUPIED. LASTED UNTIL VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. MAZDA DEALER FOUND CODE B00A0 FOR PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM. THEY RESET THE CODE AND TESTED AIR BAG SYSTEM, THEY STATED THAT ALL SYSTEMS PASS TEST. ON 10/16/2017, AIR BAG LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGAN TO FLASH AND THE WARNING BEEPING START UP WHILE DRIVING ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS NOT OCCUPIED. I CONSIDERED THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEED TO BE REPORTED. I RECORDED VIDEOS.
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM REBOOTS NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER ENGINE IS STARTED AND CONTINUES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR. DURING REBOOT CYCLE, RADIO, NAVIGATION, AND OTHER FUNCTIONS OF THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM ARE UNAVAILABLE. SYSTEM MAY REBOOT ANYWHERE BETWEEN 1 AND 10 TIMES BEFORE THE SYSTEM STABILIZES. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING, DAILY…
Read full complaint
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM REBOOTS NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER ENGINE IS STARTED AND CONTINUES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR. DURING REBOOT CYCLE, RADIO, NAVIGATION, AND OTHER FUNCTIONS OF THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM ARE UNAVAILABLE. SYSTEM MAY REBOOT ANYWHERE BETWEEN 1 AND 10 TIMES BEFORE THE SYSTEM STABILIZES. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING, DAILY OCCURRENCE, CAN OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES IN A DAY, AND BEGAN 2 MONTHS AFTER VEHICLE DELIVERY.
LIFTGATE WOULDN'T UNLOCK SOMETIMES AND THE CAR WAS STATIONARY.
BODY: ABOUT ONE MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE PAINT BECAME BRITTLE. THERE IS A LARGE ROCK CHIP, SCRATCHES ON THE HOOD, AND CHIPS ON THE DOOR. ELECTRICAL: THE SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TURNS ON INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT THE POWER BEING TURNED ON. TRANSMISSION: THE RMSS CONTINUE TO INCREASE WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OF…
Read full complaint
BODY: ABOUT ONE MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE PAINT BECAME BRITTLE. THERE IS A LARGE ROCK CHIP, SCRATCHES ON THE HOOD, AND CHIPS ON THE DOOR. ELECTRICAL: THE SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TURNS ON INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT THE POWER BEING TURNED ON. TRANSMISSION: THE RMSS CONTINUE TO INCREASE WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS AT HIGH SPEEDS (INTERSTATE). I DO NOT HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. THEY REV ABOUT 10,000 AND THEN COME BACK DOWN.
Official recalls
420V063000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Feb 6, 2020
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 CX-5 vehicles. The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may fail while driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the DRL fails, the vehicle's visibility may be reduced to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlights, and replace the sealing gasket or headlight assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4320A.
16V644000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
Sep 6, 2016
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.
16V203000 · Steering
Apr 11, 2016
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If the bolts are loose, they will be replaced and then correctly tightened, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9316D.
16V064000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Feb 3, 2016
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5 vehicles manufactured June 27, 2013, to February 2, 2016. The affected vehicles have a fuel filler pipe that may rupture in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rupture of the fuel filler pipe may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will alter the attachment between the fuel filler pipe and the left rear side of the bracket of the fuel filler pipe, free of charge. The recall began on February 25, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 9216B.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
Illustration