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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 →

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.

31 crash reports10 fire reports13 injury reports

What owners actually said

510 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2020
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE TRIED SINCE FEB 2020 TO GET MY #20V-063 HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT PER THE RECALL ISSUED AND THE FITGERALD MAZDA IN ANNAPOLIS MD TOLD ME SINCE THEN THAT THEY COULDN'T GET THE PARTS FROM MAZDA. I TRIED TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT AGAIN TO HAVE THIS FIXED ON 11/11/20 - AN APPOINTMENT THEY ACCEPTED ONLY TO BE TOLD ONCE I GOT THERE AF…

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I HAVE TRIED SINCE FEB 2020 TO GET MY #20V-063 HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT PER THE RECALL ISSUED AND THE FITGERALD MAZDA IN ANNAPOLIS MD TOLD ME SINCE THEN THAT THEY COULDN'T GET THE PARTS FROM MAZDA. I TRIED TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT AGAIN TO HAVE THIS FIXED ON 11/11/20 - AN APPOINTMENT THEY ACCEPTED ONLY TO BE TOLD ONCE I GOT THERE AFTER THE INSPECTION THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS AND CANNOT GET THE PARTS FROM MAZDA. I WAS ONE OF THE INITIAL CUSTOMERS TO REPORT THIS ISSUE AND RECEIVED A NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE REPLACEMENT AND NOT SIX MONTHS LATER, THE OTHER SIDE WENT OUT. I UNDERSTAND COVID LIMITATIONS BUT MAZDA NEEDS TO PROVIDE THE PARTS TO COMPLY WITH THIS RECALL CORRECT?

NHTSA ODI #11374641

98,000 miles · Nov 10, 2020
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT WHICH FAILED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. NAPLETON MAZDA LOCATED 6060 S. LA GRANGE ROAD, COUNTRYSIDE, IL 60525 (708) 354-2700 WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THAT PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11374025

33,000 miles · Nov 9, 2020
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX5 GRAND TOURING. THE VEHICLE HAS TOYO A23 TIRE SIZE 225 55R 19. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE, SHE HAD NOTICED SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE THREAD ON THE SIDEWALL OF EACH TIRE. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS MORE SEVERE ON BOTH FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER TIRES. SHE HAD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX5 GRAND TOURING. THE VEHICLE HAS TOYO A23 TIRE SIZE 225 55R 19. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE, SHE HAD NOTICED SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE THREAD ON THE SIDEWALL OF EACH TIRE. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS MORE SEVERE ON BOTH FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER TIRES. SHE HAD INITIALLY TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO HERTRICH'S CAPITOL MAZDA(1127 S DUPONT HWY, DOVER, DE 19901) WHERE THEY REFERRED HER TO THE TOYA TIRE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE TIRES. THE CONTACT HAD YET TO EXPERIENCE A FAILURE WITH THE TIRES. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,000.

NHTSA ODI #11373765

72,300 miles · Oct 29, 2020
Service Brakes

WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 40 MPH ON A STATE ROAD, MY TPMS WARNING LIGHT WENT ON. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A SIMPLE TIRE PRESSURE ISSUE, BUT THEN I BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING. I STOPPED MY CAR AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM MY REAR RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) WHEEL. I PROMPTLY BROUGHT THE CAR TO A 3RD PARTY MECHANIC AND THEY INFORMED ME THE CALIP…

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WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 40 MPH ON A STATE ROAD, MY TPMS WARNING LIGHT WENT ON. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A SIMPLE TIRE PRESSURE ISSUE, BUT THEN I BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING. I STOPPED MY CAR AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM MY REAR RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) WHEEL. I PROMPTLY BROUGHT THE CAR TO A 3RD PARTY MECHANIC AND THEY INFORMED ME THE CALIPER REMAINED ENGAGED AND MY ROTORS WERE OVERHEATING. THEY TRIED CONTACTING MAZDA DEALERSHIPS AND 3RD PARTY SOURCES FOR EITHER NEW OR REBUILT CALIPER BUT THE PART WAS OUT OF STOCK AND ON BACKORDER WITH NO ESTIMATED DATE WHEN IT WOULD BE REPLENISHED. MY CAR IS STILL UNREPAIRED AND I CANNOT DRIVE IT AS THE EXCESSIVE HEATING OF THE ROTOR COULD DISABLE MY BRAKING ABILITY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH OTHER CX-5 MODELS.

NHTSA ODI #11367040

48,784 miles · Oct 26, 2020
Parking BrakeService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE INADVERTENTLY ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS STILL ENGAGED. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS. THE CONTACT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE INADVERTENTLY ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS STILL ENGAGED. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ALSO NOTICED THE SAME FAILURE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN REPAIRED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,784.

NHTSA ODI #11366426

27,300 miles · Oct 21, 2020
Power Train

WHILE GETTING OFF A FREEWAY EXIT SUDDENLY THERE WAS SOME NOISE IN THE ENGINE AREA FOLLOWED BY MAJOR RATTLING EVERY TIME THE CAR SLOWED DOWN OR SPED UP, MAKING IT UNDRIVABLE. THE PROFESSIONAL DIAGNOSTIC WAS THAT SOMETHING WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION WAS BROKEN/COMING APART. THE CAR HAD ONLY AROUND 27000 MILES ON IT AND THIS HAPPENED …

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WHILE GETTING OFF A FREEWAY EXIT SUDDENLY THERE WAS SOME NOISE IN THE ENGINE AREA FOLLOWED BY MAJOR RATTLING EVERY TIME THE CAR SLOWED DOWN OR SPED UP, MAKING IT UNDRIVABLE. THE PROFESSIONAL DIAGNOSTIC WAS THAT SOMETHING WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION WAS BROKEN/COMING APART. THE CAR HAD ONLY AROUND 27000 MILES ON IT AND THIS HAPPENED WITHIN MONTHS OF DRIVE-TRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRING.

NHTSA ODI #11365565

70,000 miles · Oct 20, 2020
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THREE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT BECAME INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED SHEEHY HAGERSTOWN (10310 AUTO PL, HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740, (301) 739-7700) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THREE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT BECAME INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED SHEEHY HAGERSTOWN (10310 AUTO PL, HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740, (301) 739-7700) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11365386

60,000 miles · Oct 17, 2020
Air BagsExterior Lighting

ACTIVE RECALL FOR DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS NOT ABLE TO BE FIXED DUE TO MAZDA CLAIMING THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH PARTS TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG WAS FAILING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONSUMER HAS THE VEHICLE IN GERMANY, BUT WAS INFORMED IT COULD ONLY BE…

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ACTIVE RECALL FOR DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS NOT ABLE TO BE FIXED DUE TO MAZDA CLAIMING THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH PARTS TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG WAS FAILING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONSUMER HAS THE VEHICLE IN GERMANY, BUT WAS INFORMED IT COULD ONLY BE REPAIRED IN THE UNITED STATES. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11364786

60,000 miles · Oct 17, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

VEHICLE AIRBAG ECU INOPERABLE AND FLASHES FAULT CODE, BUT SOURCE OF ISSUE CAN NOT BE FOUND. MECHANIC SPECULATES IT IS EITHER OCCUPANT SEAT SENSOR ISSUE OR COMPUTER SOFTWARE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11364785

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2020
Exterior Lighting

RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED MARCH 2020. MAY 5 SERVICE CALL PARTS NOT AVAILABLE, EMAILED 3 MORE TIMES AND STILL NO PARTS AVAILABLE OR CONTACT OF ANY SORT WITHOUT MY INITIATING. CALLED IN SEPTEMBER AND WAS TOLD I WOULD GET A LETTER WITHIN NEXT MONTH AND THAT PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. STILL NO CONTACT FROM MAZDA AS OF OCTOBER 15.…

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RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED MARCH 2020. MAY 5 SERVICE CALL PARTS NOT AVAILABLE, EMAILED 3 MORE TIMES AND STILL NO PARTS AVAILABLE OR CONTACT OF ANY SORT WITHOUT MY INITIATING. CALLED IN SEPTEMBER AND WAS TOLD I WOULD GET A LETTER WITHIN NEXT MONTH AND THAT PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. STILL NO CONTACT FROM MAZDA AS OF OCTOBER 15. SOMEHOW THEY KEEP MANUFACTURING CARS BUT CAN'T GET AROUND TO MANUFACTURING RECALL PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #11364506

Official recalls

4

20V063000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Mazda CX-5 problems