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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

Engine complaints

39 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2018
EngineCrash

IN A PARKING SPACE, FOOT ON BRAKE, MOVING GEARSHIFT TO PARK, ENGINE REVVED AND CAR LUNGED FORWARD WITH CAR IN PARK AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT JUMPED THE CONCRETE BUMPER, RAN OVER HANDICAP PARKING SIGN AND HIT CAR IN ADJACENT PARKING SPACE HARD ENOUGH TO MOVE IT BACK INTO THE DRIVING LANE OF PARKING LOT. AT THAT POINT THE CAR S…

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IN A PARKING SPACE, FOOT ON BRAKE, MOVING GEARSHIFT TO PARK, ENGINE REVVED AND CAR LUNGED FORWARD WITH CAR IN PARK AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT JUMPED THE CONCRETE BUMPER, RAN OVER HANDICAP PARKING SIGN AND HIT CAR IN ADJACENT PARKING SPACE HARD ENOUGH TO MOVE IT BACK INTO THE DRIVING LANE OF PARKING LOT. AT THAT POINT THE CAR STOPPED. WE PULLED IT BACK INTO PARKING SPACE TO HELP MOVE OTHER HIT CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC

NHTSA ODI #11150706

15,000 miles · Mar 6, 2018
Air BagsEngineStructureCrashInjury

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT NATURAL GROCERS. WHEN THE CAR WAS GOING 2-3 MPH INTO THE SPACE GETTING READY I THOUGHT TO STOP, THE ENGINE REVVED UP LIKE A JET ENGINE. THE CAR THEN JUMPED A CONCRETE SIDE WALK, HIT THE BRICK BUILDING, AND BROKE A GAS LINE. THE CAR THEN CAME TO REST BACK IN THE PARKING SPOT. THE AIR BAG DEPL…

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I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT NATURAL GROCERS. WHEN THE CAR WAS GOING 2-3 MPH INTO THE SPACE GETTING READY I THOUGHT TO STOP, THE ENGINE REVVED UP LIKE A JET ENGINE. THE CAR THEN JUMPED A CONCRETE SIDE WALK, HIT THE BRICK BUILDING, AND BROKE A GAS LINE. THE CAR THEN CAME TO REST BACK IN THE PARKING SPOT. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, MY FIRST REACTION WAS "WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED". A MAN WALKING OUT OF A STORE HEARD THE HISS OF THE GAS LINE AND THEN CALLED 911. HE CAME TO THE CAR AND TOLD ME TO MOVE AWAY BECAUSE THE GAS LINE COULD BLOW UP. HE NOTICED THAT MY GLASSES WERE BACKWARDS ON THE BACK OF MY NECK AND ASKED IF I WAS HURT. SHORTLY A FIRETRUCK ARRIVED, TWO POLICE CARS, AND A STORE MANAGER. THE FIREMEN SHUT OFF THE GAS LINE. THE POLICEMAN INTERVIEWED ME AND OBSERVED THE SETTING. AFTER SOME TIME THE POLICEMAN SAID "THIS WAS NOT YOUR FAULT" AND "I AM NOT ISSUING A CITATION". SOMETHING CLEARLY WENT WRONG WITH THE CAR. HE ENCOURAGED ME TO TAKE PICTURES OF BOTH THE SIDEWALK AND THE CAR FOR MY RECORDS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHOM I HAD LEASED THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11076442

5,000 miles · Sep 29, 2017
EngineService Brakes, HydraulicFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE EMERGENCY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND BEEPED. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR AND OBSERVED SMOKE FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (MAZDA OF OLYMPIA, 2201 CARRIAGE ST SW, OLYMPIA, WA 98502) WHERE IT WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE EMERGENCY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND BEEPED. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR AND OBSERVED SMOKE FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (MAZDA OF OLYMPIA, 2201 CARRIAGE ST SW, OLYMPIA, WA 98502) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CALIPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA ODI #11030556

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

8,000 miles · Apr 10, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineStructure

BODY: ABOUT ONE MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE PAINT BECAME BRITTLE. THERE IS A LARGE ROCK CHIP, SCRATCHES ON THE HOOD, AND CHIPS ON THE DOOR. ELECTRICAL: THE SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TURNS ON INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT THE POWER BEING TURNED ON. TRANSMISSION: THE RMSS CONTINUE TO INCREASE WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OF…

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BODY: ABOUT ONE MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE PAINT BECAME BRITTLE. THERE IS A LARGE ROCK CHIP, SCRATCHES ON THE HOOD, AND CHIPS ON THE DOOR. ELECTRICAL: THE SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TURNS ON INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT THE POWER BEING TURNED ON. TRANSMISSION: THE RMSS CONTINUE TO INCREASE WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS AT HIGH SPEEDS (INTERSTATE). I DO NOT HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. THEY REV ABOUT 10,000 AND THEN COME BACK DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10971770

5,000 miles · Sep 27, 2016
Engine

THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS VEHICLE ALLOWS YOU TO TURN IT OFF BEING STILL IN "D" (WITHOUT EVEN SHIFTING IT TO "P"). IT DOESN'T WARN YOU AT ALL IF YOU FORGET TO SHIFT TO "P". IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME THAT A COUPLE OF TIMES I HAVE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, GOT OFF OF IT AND VEHICLE REMAINS IN "D", WITHOUT GIVING YOU ANY BEEP OF WARNING. T…

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THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS VEHICLE ALLOWS YOU TO TURN IT OFF BEING STILL IN "D" (WITHOUT EVEN SHIFTING IT TO "P"). IT DOESN'T WARN YOU AT ALL IF YOU FORGET TO SHIFT TO "P". IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME THAT A COUPLE OF TIMES I HAVE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, GOT OFF OF IT AND VEHICLE REMAINS IN "D", WITHOUT GIVING YOU ANY BEEP OF WARNING. THE OTHER DAY, I STOPPED/PARKED MY VEHICLE IN A PARKING SLOT AND TURNED IT OFF AND I FORGOT TO SHIFTED TO "P". IT PASSED A COUPLE OF MINUTES, WHILE I WAS DOING MY MAKEUP AND HAIR THAT THE CAR STARTED MOVING. WHEN I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING, VEHICLE HAD ALREADY MOVED ABOUT 3 YARDS (ALMOST OUT OF THE PARKING SLOT) LUCKILY I WAS STILL INSIDE THE CAR AND COULD BRAKE. SHOULD I HAVE LEFT THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING IT OFF, IT HAS CAUSED AN ACCIDENT HITTING PEOPLE/CARS BYPASSING.

NHTSA ODI #10910112

1,820 miles · Aug 4, 2016
Engine

ON 8/4/2016 IN MIAMI FL AT 3:45 PM. I WAS WAITING AT A STOP MY FOOT ON THE BREAKS WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED SELF ACCELERATING. IT STOPPED ONCE I PUT MY CAR ON NEUTRAL

NHTSA ODI #10893321

6,632 miles · May 24, 2016
EnginePower TrainCrash

AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING AND ENTERING PARKING SPACE MY WIFE ATTEMPTED TO STOP CAR, WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD JUMPING A PARKING BUMPER AT AN ACCELERATED RATE OF SPEED. AFTER JUMPING THE BUMPER OUR CX-5 HEADED TOWARD TWO PARKED CARS, SHE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT WHERE SHE WAS THEN H…

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AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING AND ENTERING PARKING SPACE MY WIFE ATTEMPTED TO STOP CAR, WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD JUMPING A PARKING BUMPER AT AN ACCELERATED RATE OF SPEED. AFTER JUMPING THE BUMPER OUR CX-5 HEADED TOWARD TWO PARKED CARS, SHE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT WHERE SHE WAS THEN HEADED TOWARD A CROSSWALK, BETWEEN TWO PARKING LOTS, WITH A HAND RAIL. THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AFTER BECOMING WEDGED UNDER THE HAND RAIL AND BUMPING A PARKED CAR. DAMAGE WAS TO THE R FENDER, FRONT BUMPER AND HOOD A TOTAL OF $5,100 WORTH OF DAMAGE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. MAZDA WOULD NO LOOK INTO WHAT OR WHY IT HAPPENED, OUR INSURANCE COMPANY SENT OUT A MEMBER OF THEIR FORENSIC GROUP TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE WRONG AT THE TIME THAT HE CHECKED AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE AS HE COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS OUR SECOND MAZDA AND OUR LAST, MOVING ON.

NHTSA ODI #10870490

900 miles · May 17, 2016
EngineUnknown Or Other

WHEN REVERSING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE CAR AGGRESSIVELY GOES FORWARD. A JERKING FORWARD MOTION THAT CAUSES THE TIRES MAKE A BRIEF SKID SOUND. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10865536

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