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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

71 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2025
Electrical SystemCrash

We had another CX-5 in the back that we used to test whether or not it was either the throttle body or the BCM ( Body Control Module ) or the PCM ( Power Control Module ) not working that is causing your vehicle to not wanting to turn on The throttle body passed we transferred it over from vehicle A ( Being the donor ) to veh…

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We had another CX-5 in the back that we used to test whether or not it was either the throttle body or the BCM ( Body Control Module ) or the PCM ( Power Control Module ) not working that is causing your vehicle to not wanting to turn on The throttle body passed we transferred it over from vehicle A ( Being the donor ) to vehicle B (Being your vehicle ) and it was still doing the same thing which it would crank but not fully turn on and that is how we ruled that part out The BCM we also transferred over from vehicle A to vehicle B and same thing it would crank but not fully turn on This is what the mechanic at Mazda Collision Center of Irving stated: The PCM has power and is communicating with everything else in the vehicle. If it was the PCM then nothing would work and we wouldn't be able to even cycle the power as if we were going to turn on the vehicle We brought this over to our Mazda Foreman and we showed him the codes it was throwing and what was going on and explained everything and he did tell us that it could be the main harness that is causing all of this he is not for sure just because he is not the mechanic involved in this but he said that is a good start. I am uncertain exactly what is wrong with the vehicle. When I took it in to be serviced, it worked. The mechanic then said he couldn't work on it anymore after trying to fix the body work because the electrical system had failed. I then had it towed to Mazda to see if they could fix the issue. I had originally took it in because of a minor fender bender. I am unclear as to why it has taken four months and my car still doesn't work and I do not know how to afford buying a car to replace it when I cannot trade it in since we cannot resolve the electronic portion through insurance.

NHTSA ODI #11671754

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2025
Back Over PreventionElectrical System

The info uni in the car constantly resets itself. It happens when GPS is activated, parking, listening to directions, pretty much at all time especially in crucial moments. Nav center doesn't even load at times, this causes unknown information of speed limits and streets.

NHTSA ODI #11666002

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2025
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

Keyless entry stopped working, key fob battery replaced as well as car battery. Coolant issues. Heater core and sensors

NHTSA ODI #11663708

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2025
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

The engine light constantly appears along with the "Schedule Maintenance Soon" light. Taken to dealership many times within my 3 month warranty and no definite reason was given.The vehicle rides very bumpy though sway bar was inspected and supposedly repaired by dealership during my 3 month warranty.

NHTSA ODI #11660577

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2024
Electrical System

Ghost touch screen on multimedia. Causing detracting issues while driving.

NHTSA ODI #11609635

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2024
Electrical System

The used 2016 Mazda CX5 I just bought apparently has the "ghost touch screen" where the Infotainment system will randomly pick controls, place phone calls, change navigation. How can this not be a safety recall? I'm afraid to drive this car and not have full control of the navigation system or controls. This is DANGEROUS to hav…

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The used 2016 Mazda CX5 I just bought apparently has the "ghost touch screen" where the Infotainment system will randomly pick controls, place phone calls, change navigation. How can this not be a safety recall? I'm afraid to drive this car and not have full control of the navigation system or controls. This is DANGEROUS to have this happen when driving!! Mazda should be held accountable for this clear safety problem.

NHTSA ODI #11584553

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2024
Electrical SystemService Brakes

This vehicle has rear Electric Parking Brakes. Some time it's works sometimes it doesn't release the rear passenger side breaks. The rear passenger side brakes make to much noise and brakes pads destroy rotor earlier then others. Mazda dealers doesn't says to much on that and ask for above $1000 repair to change faulty EPB clipp…

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This vehicle has rear Electric Parking Brakes. Some time it's works sometimes it doesn't release the rear passenger side breaks. The rear passenger side brakes make to much noise and brakes pads destroy rotor earlier then others. Mazda dealers doesn't says to much on that and ask for above $1000 repair to change faulty EPB clipper. But my research says many people have same complaints with this model by mazda built-in around 2016. This is safety issue, if I replace brake pads every 4 or 5 months it cost me money. If I don't I cost me my safety.

NHTSA ODI #11579848

70,000 miles · Mar 25, 2024
Electrical SystemCrash

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda CX5. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, the vehicle unintentionally accelerated without warning in an attempt to park the vehicle. On the first occasion, the vehicle drove in between two trees with the contact's foot on the brake pedal before the vehicle came to a stop. The air…

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The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda CX5. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, the vehicle unintentionally accelerated without warning in an attempt to park the vehicle. On the first occasion, the vehicle drove in between two trees with the contact's foot on the brake pedal before the vehicle came to a stop. The air bags did not deploy upon impact and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent body shop where the vehicle was repaired for minor damage. The contact was also informed that no computer codes indicated any signs of a mechanical failure. On the second occasion, the vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle while again attempting to park the vehicle in a parking lot. The force of the collision caused the already hit vehicle to crash into yet another parked vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact and no injuries were reported. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed back to the same independent mechanic where the code reader indicated that the vehicle had a low battery; however, the battery did not need to be replaced. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the independent mechanic and had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000

NHTSA ODI #11579301

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2023
Electrical System

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - The infotainment system goes into a reboot loop and never starts. At times the backup camera will turn off when backing up. At other times the backup camera will not turn off and will be on while driving forward. How was your sa…

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What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - The infotainment system goes into a reboot loop and never starts. At times the backup camera will turn off when backing up. At other times the backup camera will not turn off and will be on while driving forward. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the backup camera turns off while utilizing it there is the possibility for an incident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - Yes, the dealer confirmed the reboot loop. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - Only the dealer. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No, they appears a few years ago. I believe the main CPU got corrupted by an HD radio channel.

NHTSA ODI #11537524

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2023
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

I buy this car 2 years ago and 3 months later is starting having problem with rear passenger brakes I took the car to the mechanic and he change disc and brakes pads. A couple months later is starting having the same problem in the same area but this time is was smell burn coming through the wheel I'm stop the car to check was i…

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I buy this car 2 years ago and 3 months later is starting having problem with rear passenger brakes I took the car to the mechanic and he change disc and brakes pads. A couple months later is starting having the same problem in the same area but this time is was smell burn coming through the wheel I'm stop the car to check was is going on when I check the brakes it was very very hot. I take the car to the mechanic and he told me the EPB is bad he changed everything disc, brakes pads,caliper and EPB motor. He said try to don't used the EPB too much or I'm going to see you again with same problem 😂... So I'm stop to use the EPB for long time. One day I put my car in the carwash one guy hit the EPB when he's done with the car Im get inside I turn on the car and the brake warning light is starting flashing I say fu** not again and yes EPB get stock. This is make me crazy the EPB need to be fix from the dealer please make this common problem a recalls to getting fix for those people got the same issue.

NHTSA ODI #11529876

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