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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
10,000 miles · Jun 7, 2017
Electrical SystemStructure

LIFTGATE WOULDN'T UNLOCK SOMETIMES AND THE CAR WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI #10993651

28,000 miles · Jun 5, 2017
EngineVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE REVVED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE REVVED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURES TO THE CHEST AND ARMS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY GARAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

NHTSA ODI #10993145

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2017
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V644400 (STRUCTURE). THE CONTACT SCHEDULED A RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENT WITH DEPAULA MAZDA (518-375-2148). UPON ARRIVING FOR THE SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V644400 (STRUCTURE). THE CONTACT SCHEDULED A RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENT WITH DEPAULA MAZDA (518-375-2148). UPON ARRIVING FOR THE SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10992317

13,000 miles · May 28, 2017
Unknown Or Other

A STONE FROM A WEED-EATER HIT MY WINDSHIELD AS I WAS DRIVING (~25 MPH) AND WITHIN 5 MILES THE CRACK WAS ALREADY 18 INCHES. IN SEARCHING ONLINE I NOTICED A LOT OF OWNERS MENTIONED WINDSHIELD PROBLEMS AND HOW THIN THE WINDSHIELD IS. I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED A SLIGHT CHIP BUT NOT THE CRACK. THE TEMPERATURE WAS MID 70'S.

NHTSA ODI #10992014

3,800 miles · May 23, 2017
Service Brakes

THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE LOCKS THE REAR WHEELS AS DESIGNED. THE TOGGLE SWITCH THAT ACTIVATES THE BRAKES HAS DIRECT CONTROL THAT DOES NOT GO THROUGH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM OR THE ON BOARD COMPUTER. ONCE THE PARKING BRAKE IS ACTIVATED, AT ANY SPEED, THERE IS A TWO STEP PROCESS REQUIRED TO RELEASE THE BRAKES AND ALLOW…

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THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE LOCKS THE REAR WHEELS AS DESIGNED. THE TOGGLE SWITCH THAT ACTIVATES THE BRAKES HAS DIRECT CONTROL THAT DOES NOT GO THROUGH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM OR THE ON BOARD COMPUTER. ONCE THE PARKING BRAKE IS ACTIVATED, AT ANY SPEED, THERE IS A TWO STEP PROCESS REQUIRED TO RELEASE THE BRAKES AND ALLOW THE REAR WHEELS TO ROTATE. IN MY CASE, THE ACCIDENTAL ACTIVATION OF THE BRAKE SWITCH AT LESS THAN 10 MPH LOCKED UP THE REAR BRAKES AND THE CAR CAME TO A VERY ABRUPT SCREECHING HALT. IF I WERE GOING FASTER WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE BRAKE LOCK UP COULD HAVE LED TO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10991229

8,700 miles · May 21, 2017
Seats

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS POWERED OFF, THE BACK REST OF THE DRIVER'S CHAIR WILL FALL BACK COMPLETELY TAKING 2-10 SECONDS TO HIT THE REAR SEATING. AFTER TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, I WILL HAVE TO READJUST THE CHAIR TAKING ABOUT 1-2 MINUTES TO ADJUST THE BACK REST INTO AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THIS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND SPORADICALLY, HAPP…

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WHEN THE VEHICLE IS POWERED OFF, THE BACK REST OF THE DRIVER'S CHAIR WILL FALL BACK COMPLETELY TAKING 2-10 SECONDS TO HIT THE REAR SEATING. AFTER TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, I WILL HAVE TO READJUST THE CHAIR TAKING ABOUT 1-2 MINUTES TO ADJUST THE BACK REST INTO AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THIS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND SPORADICALLY, HAPPENED ONCE WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED ABOUT 15-20 MPH. ALSO, HEAD REST TO TOO FAR FORWARD MAKING IT UNCOMFORTABLE. COMPANY SHOULD LOOK INTO ELECTRICALLY MOTORIZED HEAD REST FOR ANGLE AND ELEVATION.

NHTSA ODI #10990768

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2017
Unknown Or Other

THERE WAS A RECALL ORDERED OCTOBER 6, 2016 FOR FAULTY LIFT GATE STAY DAMPERS (SAFETY RECALL 9916H, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-644). IT HAS BEEN 8 MONTHS AND THERE STILL IS NO FIX/SOLUTION AVAILABLE. WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG TO ISSUE A FIX FOR A RECALL? THERE ARE OTHER RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE AND I AM WAITING FOR A FIX FOR THIS ONE…

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THERE WAS A RECALL ORDERED OCTOBER 6, 2016 FOR FAULTY LIFT GATE STAY DAMPERS (SAFETY RECALL 9916H, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-644). IT HAS BEEN 8 MONTHS AND THERE STILL IS NO FIX/SOLUTION AVAILABLE. WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG TO ISSUE A FIX FOR A RECALL? THERE ARE OTHER RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE AND I AM WAITING FOR A FIX FOR THIS ONE SO I CAN GET ALL THE RECALLS ADDRESSED AT ONE TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10990605

2,751 miles · May 19, 2017
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND INCREASED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A SMALL TREE AND THEN CRASHED INTO ANOTHER TREE, WHICH HELPED STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MUSCLE, NECK, AND BACK PAIN. MEDICA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND INCREASED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A SMALL TREE AND THEN CRASHED INTO ANOTHER TREE, WHICH HELPED STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MUSCLE, NECK, AND BACK PAIN. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,751.

NHTSA ODI #10990519

7,000 miles · May 18, 2017
Visibility/wiper

AFTER TWO MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED DUE TO A ROCK STRIKE. THE WINDOWS WAS REPLACED WITH AN OEM WINDSHIELD. THREE MONTHS LATER THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED RANDOMLY WITHOUT ANY DAMAGE (ROCK ETC)

NHTSA ODI #10986381

1,000 miles · May 15, 2017
Visibility/wiper

2 WEEKS OLD VEHICLE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AFTER PARKED IN THE SUN FOR 3 HOURS.

NHTSA ODI #10985869

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