← New search

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 · Sep 11, 2020
Exterior Lighting

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2020 REGARDING LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. I CONTACTED THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AND TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO BE SERVICED JULY 13, 2020. AT THIS TIME, I WAS TOLD BY MAZDA THAT THE PART NECESSARY FOR THE REPAIR WAS ON BACKORDER, AND WOULD BE RECEIVED IN APPROXIMATE…

Read full complaint

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2020 REGARDING LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. I CONTACTED THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AND TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO BE SERVICED JULY 13, 2020. AT THIS TIME, I WAS TOLD BY MAZDA THAT THE PART NECESSARY FOR THE REPAIR WAS ON BACKORDER, AND WOULD BE RECEIVED IN APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS. I CALLED TO FOLLOW UP ON THIS IN LATE AUGUST. I WAS TOLD BY THE MAZDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER WITH NO ETA ON ITS AVAILABILITY. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING, BUT I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE MY RECALL NOTICE STATED THAT I SHOULD REPORT IF "MAZDA DOES NOT REPAIR THE DEFECT WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME." I LIVE IN THE STATE OF HAWAII AND VEHICLES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE AN ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION COMPLETED. DUE TO THE RECALL AND DEFECT OF MY HEADLIGHTS, MY VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO PASS THE SAFETY INSPECTION. MY SAFETY INSPECTION WAS DUE TO BE COMPLETED IN JUNE 2020. MY VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATE. I WILL BE UNABLE TO PASS THE SAFETY INSPECTION UNTIL MAZDA REPLACES AND REPAIRS THE RECALLED ITEM.

NHTSA ODI #11354450

30,000 miles · Aug 27, 2020
Visibility/wiper

THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK ON MY FRONT WINDSHIELD THAT SPANNED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN I WENT TO LOCATE THE POSSIBLE POINT OF THE CRACK I COULDN'T LOCATE ONE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO AN WINDSHIELD REPAIR SHOP TO GET IT REPLACED AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A STRESS CRACK THAT IS PRETTY COMMON IN MAZDA CX-5'S.

NHTSA ODI #11351569

43,589 miles · Aug 24, 2020
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG HOUSING WAS VISIBLE FROM UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN ROGER BEASLEY MAZDA SOUTH (4506 S IH 35 FRONTAGE RD, AUSTIN, TX 78745) WHERE THEY STATED THAT WAS A COMMON ISSUE; HOWEVER, HER AIR BAG FAILURE WAS MO…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG HOUSING WAS VISIBLE FROM UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN ROGER BEASLEY MAZDA SOUTH (4506 S IH 35 FRONTAGE RD, AUSTIN, TX 78745) WHERE THEY STATED THAT WAS A COMMON ISSUE; HOWEVER, HER AIR BAG FAILURE WAS MORE VISIBLE AND PROMINENT THAN OTHERS THEY HAD SEEN. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN THE SAME INFORMATION AS THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,589.

NHTSA ODI #11350954

38,000 miles · Aug 20, 2020
Unknown Or Other

AT 38,000 MILES THE AC WENT OUT, WOULD NOT BLOW COLD AIR. HAD IT INVESTIGATED, AND TH SYSTEMS NEEDED A REFRESH. DYE WAS USED TO DETERMINE WHAT MAY BE LEAKING, NONE FOUND. HOWEVER A YEAR LATER SAME ISSUE- CONFIRMED THROUGH TSBS THAT MAZDA EVAPORATORS HAD POOR BRAZING AND COULD DEVELOP SLOW LEAKS. THAT IS THE CASE WITH THIS CAR, …

Read full complaint

AT 38,000 MILES THE AC WENT OUT, WOULD NOT BLOW COLD AIR. HAD IT INVESTIGATED, AND TH SYSTEMS NEEDED A REFRESH. DYE WAS USED TO DETERMINE WHAT MAY BE LEAKING, NONE FOUND. HOWEVER A YEAR LATER SAME ISSUE- CONFIRMED THROUGH TSBS THAT MAZDA EVAPORATORS HAD POOR BRAZING AND COULD DEVELOP SLOW LEAKS. THAT IS THE CASE WITH THIS CAR, AND NOW THE COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED, LIKELY DUE TO LOW COOLANT LEVELS FROM THE LEAK. MAZDA NOT WILLING TO SUPPORT THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11350461

38,000 miles · Aug 17, 2020
Power Train

WHEN THE CAR IS COLD AND PARKED THE TRANSMISSION WILL LURCH INTO DRIVE SOMETIMES AND EVERYTIME WHEN THE CAR IS COLD THE TRANSMISSION WILL GET STUCK IN THIRD OR FOURTH GEAR AND THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL I FLOOR IT UNTIL THEN THE CAR WON'T SHIFT OUT OF GEAR FOR A FEW HUNDRED FEET AND CONTINUE TO BIG DOWN THE ENGINE, THEN A…

Read full complaint

WHEN THE CAR IS COLD AND PARKED THE TRANSMISSION WILL LURCH INTO DRIVE SOMETIMES AND EVERYTIME WHEN THE CAR IS COLD THE TRANSMISSION WILL GET STUCK IN THIRD OR FOURTH GEAR AND THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL I FLOOR IT UNTIL THEN THE CAR WON'T SHIFT OUT OF GEAR FOR A FEW HUNDRED FEET AND CONTINUE TO BIG DOWN THE ENGINE, THEN AFTER THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL DOWNSHIFT AND THE CAR WILL START TO ACCELERATE. IF I MANUALLY SHIFT THE CAR INTO FIRST THE PROBLEM WON'T OCCURRE AS BADLY. THIS SOFAR ONLY HAPPENS ONCE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE ARE COLD. BUT EVEN IF I LET THE CAR SIT AND IDLE FOR A FEW MINUTES IT'LL STILL HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI #11349915

55,000 miles · Aug 5, 2020
Unknown Or Other

AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE, THE GLASS ON MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE WEATHER WAS ABOUT 70 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND THE CAR IS TYPICALLY GARAGED EXCEPT FOR WHEN I DRIVE IT. WE DID NOT KNOW AT FIRST WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND IT WAS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING AS THE SOUND WAS VERY LOUD. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE SUNROOF--CRA…

Read full complaint

AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE, THE GLASS ON MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE WEATHER WAS ABOUT 70 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND THE CAR IS TYPICALLY GARAGED EXCEPT FOR WHEN I DRIVE IT. WE DID NOT KNOW AT FIRST WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND IT WAS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING AS THE SOUND WAS VERY LOUD. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE SUNROOF--CRACKS, ETC. AND IT WAS A FACTORY-INSTALLED SUNROOF. AS YOU WILL SEE FROM THE PHOTOS, THE GLASS EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11343510

1 miles · Jul 29, 2020
Service Brakes

PARKING BRAKE RANDOMLY COMES ON AND WON'T SHUT OFF. I STARTED MY CAR AND USUALLY THE PARKING BRAKE COMES ON BUT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT SHUTS OFF. TODAY IT WILL NOT TURN OFF THE PARKING BRAKE. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL COMBINATIONS INVOLVING TO PUSH THE START BUTTON WITHOUT FOOT ON BRAKE AND RELEASE BRAKE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE BEF…

Read full complaint

PARKING BRAKE RANDOMLY COMES ON AND WON'T SHUT OFF. I STARTED MY CAR AND USUALLY THE PARKING BRAKE COMES ON BUT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT SHUTS OFF. TODAY IT WILL NOT TURN OFF THE PARKING BRAKE. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL COMBINATIONS INVOLVING TO PUSH THE START BUTTON WITHOUT FOOT ON BRAKE AND RELEASE BRAKE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE BEFORE THE CAR FULLY TURN ON AND WHEN CAR IS PARTLY ON TO OFF. AFTER 41 MINUTES WAITING (AFTER SPENDING ALMOST 1 HOUR MESSING WITH IT) I TURNED ON THE CAR AND IT WORKS NOW. UNRELIABLE TRANSPORTATION!

NHTSA ODI #11342004

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2020
Seats

WHEN THE UPPER PORTION OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS LEFT ALONE OVERNIGHT, IT SWITCHES POSITIONS BY THE NEXT MORNING (IE THE UPPER SEAT IS ALWAYS BACK FURTHER THAN WHERE IT WAS LEFT THE PRIOR EVENING - SO IT HAPPENS OVERNIGHT). THIS SEAT IS ELECTRIC, NOT MANUAL. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE IS SITTING AND NOT RUNNING. THIS HAS HAPPEN…

Read full complaint

WHEN THE UPPER PORTION OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS LEFT ALONE OVERNIGHT, IT SWITCHES POSITIONS BY THE NEXT MORNING (IE THE UPPER SEAT IS ALWAYS BACK FURTHER THAN WHERE IT WAS LEFT THE PRIOR EVENING - SO IT HAPPENS OVERNIGHT). THIS SEAT IS ELECTRIC, NOT MANUAL. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE IS SITTING AND NOT RUNNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES (OVER 20 TIMES).

NHTSA ODI #11341887

66,400 miles · Jun 29, 2020
Service Brakes

PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION; DRAGGING OF REAR WHEELS ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING; SUDDEN SEIZING OF BRAKE WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11331395

46,500 miles · Jun 27, 2020
Service Brakes

DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUSES THE REAR BRAKES TO GET HOT. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN SEPTEMBER (AROUND 40,000 MILES), AND I TOOK MY CX-5 IN FOR SERVICE. THE TECHNICIANS DID NOT FIND ANYTHING OPERATING INCORRECTLY, LUBRICATED THE BRAKES, AND RETURNED MY VEHICLE. WHEN I GOT MY STATE SAFETY INSPECTION, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY REAR…

Read full complaint

DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUSES THE REAR BRAKES TO GET HOT. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN SEPTEMBER (AROUND 40,000 MILES), AND I TOOK MY CX-5 IN FOR SERVICE. THE TECHNICIANS DID NOT FIND ANYTHING OPERATING INCORRECTLY, LUBRICATED THE BRAKES, AND RETURNED MY VEHICLE. WHEN I GOT MY STATE SAFETY INSPECTION, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE PASSABLE, BUT PRETTY CRUMMY LOOKING BECAUSE OF HEAT DAMAGE. BECAUSE WE WERE LOCKED DOWN (DUE TO CORONAVIRUS) I WAITED A BIT AND JUST RECENTLY HAD THEM REPLACED. NOW THAT MY REAR BRAKES HAVE NEW PADS AND ROTORS, THE REAR BRAKE ISSUE IS HAPPENING AGAIN, SPECIFICALLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THIS TIME. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE IN THE REAR AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AGAIN, AND THEY TOLD ME THE REAR BRAKES ARE OPERATING NORMALLY. HOWEVER, ON MY DRIVE HOME (18 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY), THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AGAIN, SO I KNEW THE ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED. I CHECKED THE TEMPERATURE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE ROTOR, AND IT WAS OVER 400 DEGREES (THE OTHER ROTORS WERE AROUND 150, SEE PAGE 9 OF ATTACHED DOCUMENT). I CONTACTED MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE THE DEALER CAN'T DETECT AN ISSUE, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. MAZDA HAS ISSUED TSBS RELATED TO THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE FOR MY VEHICLE, BUT I BELIEVE THEIR DIAGNOSTIC STEPS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO DETECT ALL CASES OF THE ISSUE. THEIR DIAGNOSTIC STEPS ARE ALL RELATED TO LOW-SPEED DRIVING, BUT MY ISSUE ONLY PRESENTS ITSELF AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11331227

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