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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 · May 27, 2023
Electrical System

UNKNOWN cause for short battery life. The battery has been changed 4-5 times since 2020 with a brand new battery. The alternator has been checked and is fine. The dealership is going to check my vehicle again but this is an issue for multiple people with the same vehicle model.

NHTSA ODI #11524156

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2023
Unknown Or Other

Unknown

NHTSA ODI #11524126

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2023
Fuel/propulsion System

Denso Fuel Pump should be recalled!!! It is not sending fuel to the my engine properly it's running rough at even 0-30 miles, becomes difficult to start (cold or mild engine), sputters and idel, and suddenly stalled out in the middle of the road several times, put us in danger from other motorist. My check engine warning indicat…

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Denso Fuel Pump should be recalled!!! It is not sending fuel to the my engine properly it's running rough at even 0-30 miles, becomes difficult to start (cold or mild engine), sputters and idel, and suddenly stalled out in the middle of the road several times, put us in danger from other motorist. My check engine warning indicator is also on, it's not shifting correctly and is lacking rpm power. Mechanic put a code scanner on it and found P0192 (low fuel rail pressure) and P0171 (System too lean)... I have the pictures. Several auto makers have issued recalls, including Mazda. But Mazda only went back as far as 2018. Toyota recalled cars as far back as 2013. Mazda needs to do the right thing or be forced to do so!

NHTSA ODI #11523568

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2023
Fuel/propulsion System

Fuel system failure at only 60k miles on car. Engine light came on dash & my car just randomly started failing as if it wasn't getting gas, trying to cut off while driving down the road!! Huge hazard!! This could have caused an accident but i luckily going in a 25mph zone. Local shop diagnosed the fuel pumps failed (this car ha…

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Fuel system failure at only 60k miles on car. Engine light came on dash & my car just randomly started failing as if it wasn't getting gas, trying to cut off while driving down the road!! Huge hazard!! This could have caused an accident but i luckily going in a 25mph zone. Local shop diagnosed the fuel pumps failed (this car has 2 of them) and they also were able to reproduce the same issue when going to start the car to move in and out of the bay. I have called mazda and done the research- they did not put a recall on this year but it appears other years gave been recalled with fuel system related issues. This should be looked into as I've found NUMEROUS complaints on this year and model!

NHTSA ODI #11521367

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2023
Exterior Lighting

We brought our vehicle into Mazda Dealer in 2021 for campaign 20V-063(2016 CX-5 – Daytime Running Lights May Fail - Safety Recall 4320A). Our vehicle had one of the lights completely inoperable and the other flickered intermittently. Upon inspection by the dealer, they only repaired the inoperable light-unit and was unable to …

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We brought our vehicle into Mazda Dealer in 2021 for campaign 20V-063(2016 CX-5 – Daytime Running Lights May Fail - Safety Recall 4320A). Our vehicle had one of the lights completely inoperable and the other flickered intermittently. Upon inspection by the dealer, they only repaired the inoperable light-unit and was unable to replicate the issue with the other light. However, the previously intermittent light is now completely inoperable and the dealer will no longer honor the repair since the campaign is closed. Please advise next steps to facilitate a repair. Thank you for your time and consideration regarding this matter.

NHTSA ODI #11516119

Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2023
Service Brakes

Brakes make a jerking sound decelerating from 40 miles an hour or from coming off a freeway ramp. After two trips to the dealership, the jerking sound still persists, the dealership had mentioned it was either the ball bearings or the brake pads were worn out, but somehow the noise is still there. The vehicle still makes stop sa…

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Brakes make a jerking sound decelerating from 40 miles an hour or from coming off a freeway ramp. After two trips to the dealership, the jerking sound still persists, the dealership had mentioned it was either the ball bearings or the brake pads were worn out, but somehow the noise is still there. The vehicle still makes stop safely, but we feel that if this is not resolved that this may become a greater safety issue down the road.

NHTSA ODI #11514864

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2023
Electrical System

The electronic emergency brake switch freezes in cold weather . The parking brake can not be released until the weather warms. This is safety issue, because the motorists is now stranded. I took my vehicle to the dealership,. but the would not address the problem. This happened 2 times on the following dates 13 February 201…

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The electronic emergency brake switch freezes in cold weather . The parking brake can not be released until the weather warms. This is safety issue, because the motorists is now stranded. I took my vehicle to the dealership,. but the would not address the problem. This happened 2 times on the following dates 13 February 2019 14 February 2022. I'm retired and very little. I only have about 23000.miles on my vehicle. I live ln New York City and do not feel safe driving in the winter, because my vehicle's electronic emergency brake switch freezes in the cold weather .

NHTSA ODI #11509871

58,000 miles · Feb 21, 2023
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeatsCrashInjury

The contact owned a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, another vehicle going 110 MPH crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The air bags failed to de[ploy. The contact hit his head against the front driver's side window and he became unconscious. The contact stated upon regaining consciousness, he noticed t…

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The contact owned a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, another vehicle going 110 MPH crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The air bags failed to de[ploy. The contact hit his head against the front driver's side window and he became unconscious. The contact stated upon regaining consciousness, he noticed that he was laying flat on his back as the seat had fractured. The contact also noticed that the seat belt had fractured into two. The front of the other vehicle caught on fire and the fire expanded to the rear of the contact's vehicle. The emergency units and State police patrol assisted the contact out of the vehicle through the driver's side door. The emergency units transported the contact to the hospital, where he was informed that he had sustained head, neck, and back injuries. Additionally, the contact was informed that he had sustained a stroke on the left side of his body. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI #11508335

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2023
Service Brakes

Left rear outer brake pad was worn down to the backing plate. After repairs were made, it started smoking while driving. We thought it was going to catch on file. I found a Mazda service bulletin - 04-005/16 - regarding a defective brake control module that controls the electronic parking brake. Why wasn't this a safety recall?

NHTSA ODI #11507582

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2023
Parking Brake

My EPB or Electronic Parking Brake started to Malfunction. It will lock up during parking, and driving and stay locked. It will flash Malfunction light, and the Parking Brake light on the dash will come on, and off. Sometimes If I turn off the vehicle for a while, it will again function. I have not been driving this vehicle, bec…

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My EPB or Electronic Parking Brake started to Malfunction. It will lock up during parking, and driving and stay locked. It will flash Malfunction light, and the Parking Brake light on the dash will come on, and off. Sometimes If I turn off the vehicle for a while, it will again function. I have not been driving this vehicle, because of the issue I am very scarred my brakes will lock up when it is icy or wet, or slick, and I will injure myself or others Unintentionally. when I first had this issue, I decided to do research, and it seems to be a very common problem across all 2016 model Mazda Cx-5 with EBP. I suspect the EBP module is defective, and I cannot afford to pay the dealer 1500 to replace this part to correct the Safety Hazard Mazda originally created. This should never happen to me or the countless others whom own the 2016 model with EBP. A quick google search will result in countless claims of this same issue with the 2016 model.

NHTSA ODI #11505346

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