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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
29,000 miles · Feb 7, 2020
Exterior Lighting

LED RUNNING LIGHTS FLICKERING ONLY 29000 MILES, PAST THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY. REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF$1000+.MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.MAZDA SHOULD EXTEND WARRANTY TO 100,000. NOT SAFE AND TO COSTLY TO REPAIR

NHTSA ODI #11307740

57,000 miles · Jan 27, 2020
Exterior Lighting

THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED. THE PROCESS TO REPAIR THE LIGHTS IS EXORBITANTLY EXPENSIVE AND I BELIEVE WILL DISSUADE CONSUMERS FROM GETTING THEM REPAIRED DUE TO THE HIGH COST. DISSUADING CUSTOMERS FROM GETTING THIS REPAIRED IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. TO REPAIR THE LIGHT BULBS COSTS MORE THAN $1…

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THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED. THE PROCESS TO REPAIR THE LIGHTS IS EXORBITANTLY EXPENSIVE AND I BELIEVE WILL DISSUADE CONSUMERS FROM GETTING THEM REPAIRED DUE TO THE HIGH COST. DISSUADING CUSTOMERS FROM GETTING THIS REPAIRED IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. TO REPAIR THE LIGHT BULBS COSTS MORE THAN $1000. THE REPAIR REQUIRES THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT TO BE REPLACED, AND ALSO REQUIRES REMOVING AND REINSTALLING THE FRONT BUMPER ASSEMBLY. THIS IS JUST TO REPLACE A LIGHT! THIS IS A VERY POOR DESIGN AND WILL IMPACT OWNER SAFETY IN MY OPINION.

NHTSA ODI #11302389

39,512 miles · Jan 27, 2020
Exterior Lighting

PASSENGER SIDE DAY TIME RUNNING LED LIGHT STOPPED WORKING JUST AFTER 3 YR WARRANTY EXPIRED. COST TO REPLACE OVER $1000. THERE IS A LOT OF REPORTS OF SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE 2016 MODEL.

NHTSA ODI #11302252

76,000 miles · Jan 26, 2020
Exterior Lighting

AT 76,000 THE DRIVER'S DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. BEFORE IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT I NOTICED IT FLICKERED.

NHTSA ODI #11302078

33,000 miles · Dec 30, 2019
Parking Brake

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE ON THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE PARKING BRAKE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED GARLYN SHELTON MAZDA (5700 SW H K DODGEN LOOP #363, TEMPLE, TX 76504) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE ON THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE PARKING BRAKE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED GARLYN SHELTON MAZDA (5700 SW H K DODGEN LOOP #363, TEMPLE, TX 76504) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11292027

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2019
Service Brakes

SBS INADVERTENT ACTIVATION WHILE PULLING INTO A CLEAR PARKING STALL

NHTSA ODI #11291410

15,000 miles · Dec 23, 2019
Service Brakes

AT 15K MILES THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE CALIPER FAILED, CAUSING THE BRAKE TO DRAG AND OVERHEAT DURING A 400 MILE HOLIDAY ROADTRIP. BY THE TIME THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED BY THE ELDERLY OWNERS, THE REAR PADS WERE WORN DOWN TO THE BACKING PLATES AND THE ROTORS WERE HEAVILY SCORED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED OR OT…

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AT 15K MILES THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE CALIPER FAILED, CAUSING THE BRAKE TO DRAG AND OVERHEAT DURING A 400 MILE HOLIDAY ROADTRIP. BY THE TIME THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED BY THE ELDERLY OWNERS, THE REAR PADS WERE WORN DOWN TO THE BACKING PLATES AND THE ROTORS WERE HEAVILY SCORED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED OR OTHER INDICATION ALERTING THE DRIVER TO THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE REAR CALIPERS AND ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE (EPB) GIVEN THE TSBS THAT MAZDA HAS PUBLISHED ON THE MATTER AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND WITH THE NHTSA. MAZDA REPLACED THE FAILED DRIVER'S SIDE CALIPER UNDER WARRANTY BUT DECLINED TO COVER THE DAMAGED PADS AND ROTOR CAUSED BY THEIR DEFECTIVE ASSEMBLY EVEN AFTER ESCALTING THE ISSUE TO CORPORATE. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BUT MAZDA WOULD RATHER JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMER (BY NOT PROACTIVELY REPLACING THE PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER) AND CHARGE THEM $500 FOR A BRAKE JOB TO CORRECT COLLATERAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS. WE HAVE BEEN LONG-TIME LOYAL CUSTOMERS OF MAZDA BUT THEY HAVE ACTED UNETHICALLY IN THIS INSTANCE AND DID NOT FULFILL THEIR WARRANTY CLAIM IN GOOD FAITH.

NHTSA ODI #11290975

71,300 miles · Dec 16, 2019
Exterior Lighting

MANY COMPLAINTS ON GOOGLE OF FLICKERING DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON HEADLIGHTS THAT ARE A HAZARD AND DISTRACTION TO ONCOMING DRIVERS, MAY CAUSE SEIZURES FOR SOME. MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR 3 YEARS AND MAZDA WILL NOT RESPOND TO THIS OR ACKNOWLEDGE THE NEED FOR THIS RECALL, TO HAVE THIS FIXED IS A MINIMUM …

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MANY COMPLAINTS ON GOOGLE OF FLICKERING DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON HEADLIGHTS THAT ARE A HAZARD AND DISTRACTION TO ONCOMING DRIVERS, MAY CAUSE SEIZURES FOR SOME. MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR 3 YEARS AND MAZDA WILL NOT RESPOND TO THIS OR ACKNOWLEDGE THE NEED FOR THIS RECALL, TO HAVE THIS FIXED IS A MINIMUM OF $1200. LIGHTING IS NECESSARY AND IF IT IS FAULTY, IT BECOMES DANGEROU.S THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED AND MAZDA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPINSIBILITY. TOO MANY VEHICLE OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11289357

30,000 miles · Dec 15, 2019
Exterior Lighting

AT 30,000 MILES, BUT OUT OF WARRANTY THE DRIVER'S DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING AND AT TIMES WAS COMPLETELY OUT. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE ENTIRE LIGHT MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE PART WAS$1000.00. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT FLICKERING OCCURS WHILE DRIVING & WHEN CAR IS PARKED WITH MOTOR RUNNING.

NHTSA ODI #11289176

29,936 miles · Dec 13, 2019
Exterior Lighting

NOTICED PASSENGER SIDE LED HEADLIGHT FLICKERING WHILE STOPPED BEHIND ANOTHER CAR AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. INSPECTED THE LIGHT ONCE I GET HOME AND FOUND THE DAY TIME RUNNING PORTION OF THE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS THE PROBLEM. IT NOW FLICKERS AT ALL TIMES SINCE THIS COMES ONE DURING THE DAY AUTOMATICALLY. SERVICE DEPARTMENT FROM DEALER TH…

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NOTICED PASSENGER SIDE LED HEADLIGHT FLICKERING WHILE STOPPED BEHIND ANOTHER CAR AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. INSPECTED THE LIGHT ONCE I GET HOME AND FOUND THE DAY TIME RUNNING PORTION OF THE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS THE PROBLEM. IT NOW FLICKERS AT ALL TIMES SINCE THIS COMES ONE DURING THE DAY AUTOMATICALLY. SERVICE DEPARTMENT FROM DEALER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED SAID THIS IS NOT COVERED BY MAZDA AND IT WOULD BE OUT POCKET REPAIR ($1,200).

NHTSA ODI #11288920

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