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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

Service Brakes complaints

66 reports
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9,500 miles · Feb 4, 2019
Service Brakes

TOOK CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION. LESS THAN 10,000 MILES, CAR JUST 2 YEARS OLD. NEEDED MAJOR BRAKE JOB. TOTAL $600. THEY ARE TELLING ME BECAUSE I LIVE AT THE BEACH THE SALT CORRODED THE BRAKES AND IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WROTE TO MAZDA HEADQUARTERS. NO ONE WOULD HELP ME. M…

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TOOK CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION. LESS THAN 10,000 MILES, CAR JUST 2 YEARS OLD. NEEDED MAJOR BRAKE JOB. TOTAL $600. THEY ARE TELLING ME BECAUSE I LIVE AT THE BEACH THE SALT CORRODED THE BRAKES AND IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WROTE TO MAZDA HEADQUARTERS. NO ONE WOULD HELP ME. MY CONCERN IS WILL THIS BE OCCURRING EVERY 2 YEARS AND ARE THE BRAKES SAFE????

NHTSA ODI #11173934

34,882 miles · Jan 28, 2019
Service Brakes

THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE FAILS TO PROPERLY RELEASE CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO CALIPERS, ROTORS, AD PADS.

NHTSA ODI #11172650

31,234 miles · Jan 10, 2019
Service Brakes

AT 31,234 MILES MY MECHANIC SAID THAT MY BRAKE PADS AND ROTARS AND TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN WE WAS REPLACING THEM, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND CALIPERS SEIZED UP AND HE HAD TO ORDER PARTS (WHICH TOOK A WHILE BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF ISSUES WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON MY MODEL OF CAR). HE SAID THAT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE EME…

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AT 31,234 MILES MY MECHANIC SAID THAT MY BRAKE PADS AND ROTARS AND TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN WE WAS REPLACING THEM, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND CALIPERS SEIZED UP AND HE HAD TO ORDER PARTS (WHICH TOOK A WHILE BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF ISSUES WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON MY MODEL OF CAR). HE SAID THAT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKES LIKELY ALSO CAUSED WEAR AND TEAR ON MY REGULAR BREAKS AND CAUSED THEM TO NEED TO BE REPLACED EARLY.

NHTSA ODI #11166298

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2018
Service Brakes

THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN FAULTY SINCE I'VE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. THERE IS A LOUD SCREAM THAT IS NOT FROM DUST OR WEAR. THERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES ARE VERY LOUD EVERY TIME I APPLY THEM. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS, HAVE CONTACTED THE COMPANY BEFORE.

NHTSA ODI #11164037

35,000 miles · Dec 22, 2018
Electrical SystemService Brakes

EBRAKE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE ON THE MAZDA CX-5 2016 GT WITH CITY BRAKE AND ELECTRONIC E-BRAKE AT 36,100 MILES DURING VARIOUS PARKING LOCATIONS SCENARIOS. VEHICLE WOULD START NORMALLY AT PUSH OF START BUTTON BUT THE E-BRAKE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON IN THE FLASHING MODE. TURN ENGINE OFF/RESTARTING WOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY J…

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EBRAKE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE ON THE MAZDA CX-5 2016 GT WITH CITY BRAKE AND ELECTRONIC E-BRAKE AT 36,100 MILES DURING VARIOUS PARKING LOCATIONS SCENARIOS. VEHICLE WOULD START NORMALLY AT PUSH OF START BUTTON BUT THE E-BRAKE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON IN THE FLASHING MODE. TURN ENGINE OFF/RESTARTING WOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY JUST TO RETURN TO THE SAME ISSUE AT RANDOM PARKING LOCATIONS. DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED A REPLACEMENT BATTERY MAIN 12 VOLT BATTERY FOR $185+TAX+INSTALLATION. BATTERY REPLACEMENT SUGGESTED BASED ON A CLAIM OF LOW VOLTAGE MEASURED AT THE E-BRAKE SWITCH LOCATED ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. THERE WAS NO OTHER SOLUTIONS PROVIDED BY THE DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER TESTING/ISOLATION OF ISSUE PRIIR MAKING A PAYMENT, TO INCLUDE CONFIRMATION THAT IN FACT THE BATTERY IS THE CULPRIT. UTILIZING AN ALTERNATE/TEST BATTERY COULD BE A TEMPORARY TESTING SOLUTION. PAYMENTS WERE MADE AS REQUESTED AND THE ISSUE OF THE FLASHING E-BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING/E-BRAKE NOT DISENGAGING IS LESS APPARENT WITH 2 INCIDENTS 1 MONTH AFTER BATTERY REPLACEMENT. INCIDENTS OBSERVED WHILE IN COVERED/UNCOVERED PARKING SCENARIOS, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE OSCILLATE FROM 75 TO 92 F. VEHICLE REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED UNDER 5000 MILES BY DEALERSHIP DUE TO NOISES AND PREMATURE WEAR. VEHICLE ALSO HAS A MAZDA REMOTE START SYSTEM INSTALLED BY DEALERSHIP WITH A HISTORY OF ELECTRICAL FAILURE OF THE A/C COMPRESSOR. DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW.

NHTSA ODI #11163085

20,900 miles · Dec 19, 2018
Service Brakes

EXCESSIVE REAR BRAKE WEAR. REAR PADS WORN DOWN TO METAL BACKING PLATE AT 20,900 MILES WITH NO AUDIBLE BREAK WEAR INDICATOR. FRONT BRAKES 70% WORN AT SAME MILAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11162441

32,000 miles · Sep 24, 2018
Service Brakes

MY FIANCE STARTED TO HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM MY REAR WHEN BRAKES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I ALSO NOTICED THAT MY CAR WOULD ROCK WHEN I TOOK THE PARKING BRAKE OFF. I WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR BRAKE PADS WERE WORN DOWN, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HAD SLIGHTLY MORE WEAR THEN THE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. NEW PADS WERE INSTALLED AROUND 32,000 MIL…

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MY FIANCE STARTED TO HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM MY REAR WHEN BRAKES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I ALSO NOTICED THAT MY CAR WOULD ROCK WHEN I TOOK THE PARKING BRAKE OFF. I WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR BRAKE PADS WERE WORN DOWN, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HAD SLIGHTLY MORE WEAR THEN THE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. NEW PADS WERE INSTALLED AROUND 32,000 MILES. ABOUT 8,000 MILES LATER I STARTED TO HEAR THE SAME NOISE AGAIN, THIS TIME IT WAS WORSE. I TOOK IN AGAIN TO GET LOOKED AT AND THE REAR PASSENGER PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN DOWN, WHILE THE REAR DRIVER PADS BARELY HAD ANY WEAR TO THEM. I WAS TOLD IT WAS MOST LIKELY A MALFUNCTIONING CALIBER. MAZDA RAN MY VIN AND STATED THAT IS CAME UP AS A TSB BUT STATED THAT I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT. I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THIS BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THAT WHEN I DRIVE MY VEHICLE MY BRAKES WILL MALFUNCTION CAUSING ME GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WHICH MAY RESULT IN DEATH.

NHTSA ODI #11131029

45,000 miles · Jun 27, 2018
Service Brakes

WHEN REPLACING REAR DRIVERS SIDE REAR BRAKES AND ROTOR, NOTICED EXCESSIVE WEAR COMPARED TO PASSENGER SIDE. REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS ON BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS REAR. TWICE SINCE THE REPLACEMENT, THE REAR BRAKES HAVE STAYED ENGAGED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEATING, SMOKING, ETC TO THE BRAKES, WHEELS, AND TIRES. S…

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WHEN REPLACING REAR DRIVERS SIDE REAR BRAKES AND ROTOR, NOTICED EXCESSIVE WEAR COMPARED TO PASSENGER SIDE. REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS ON BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS REAR. TWICE SINCE THE REPLACEMENT, THE REAR BRAKES HAVE STAYED ENGAGED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEATING, SMOKING, ETC TO THE BRAKES, WHEELS, AND TIRES. SUSPECT PARKING BRAKE ON DRIVER SIDE NOT DISENGAGING. HAVE STOPPED USING PARKING BRAKE. HAVE NOT HAD REPEAT OCCURRANCE SINCE STOPPED USING PARKING BRAKE.

NHTSA ODI #11104300

18,168 miles · Jun 24, 2018
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I SLOWED DOWN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, GOING ABOUT 10 MILES AND HOUR, AND WAS COASTING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT ABOUT 5 MPH IN MY HOME NEIGHBORHOOD. IT WAS ABOUT 1:15 PM ON A SUNNY, CLEAR DAY. I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR AS I PULLED INTO THE SPOT YET I WAS GOING SLOW AND COASTING STRAIGHT INTO THE SPOT. SUDDENLY, THE…

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I SLOWED DOWN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, GOING ABOUT 10 MILES AND HOUR, AND WAS COASTING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT ABOUT 5 MPH IN MY HOME NEIGHBORHOOD. IT WAS ABOUT 1:15 PM ON A SUNNY, CLEAR DAY. I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR AS I PULLED INTO THE SPOT YET I WAS GOING SLOW AND COASTING STRAIGHT INTO THE SPOT. SUDDENLY, THE CAR SPED UP, THE BRAKES HAD NO RESPONSE, AND THE CAR JUMPED OVER THE CURB AND RAN INTO TWO BUSHES. I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE...BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING, I HAD NO CONTROL, IT WAS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THEN THE CAR STOPPED AFTER I HIT THE BUSHES. I WAS SHAKEN, BUT NO BAGS DEPLOYED. I THEN MOVED THE CAR OFF OF THE GRASS, AND PULLED THE CAR AROUND TO THE SAME PARKING SPACE. THIS TIME THE CAR STOPPED NORMALLY. I HAVE 18,168 MILES ON THIS CAR. I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE I AM CONCERNED IT WILL DO THIS AGAIN AND I WILL BE IN TRAFFIC OR NEAR PEOPLE AND I COULD HURT OR KILL MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANY PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11103649

12,000 miles · May 31, 2018
Service Brakes

CAR IS A 2016.5 MAZDA CX-5 WITH APPROX 12,000 MILES. CAR BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING SOUND WHILE DRIVING; MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MAZDA TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM. DROPPED OFF THE VEHICLE MAY 11, 2018, PICKED UP THE VEHICLE MAY 12, 2018. SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED IT WAS THE VEHICLES BRAKES, WHICH ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AN…

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CAR IS A 2016.5 MAZDA CX-5 WITH APPROX 12,000 MILES. CAR BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING SOUND WHILE DRIVING; MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MAZDA TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM. DROPPED OFF THE VEHICLE MAY 11, 2018, PICKED UP THE VEHICLE MAY 12, 2018. SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED IT WAS THE VEHICLES BRAKES, WHICH ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND WOULD NEED TO BE PAID OUT OF POCKET. I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR I NEEDED NEW BRAKES DUE TO THE LOW MILEAGE AND AGE OF THE VEHICLE SO I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC, TO GET A SECOND OPINION, BEFORE HAVING ANY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS PERFORMED BY MAZDA. LOCAL MECHANIC (MIDAS SHOP) SAID THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE ENTIRELY WORN DOWN (OUTER PADS ONLY) AND HAD WORN DOWN SO MUCH, THEY HAD DAMAGED THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WHILE THE REAR INNER PADS APPEARED TO HAVE MINIMAL WEAR CONSISTENT WITH THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. FRONT BRAKES ALSO LOOKED TO HAVE MINIMAL WEAR CONSISTENT WITH THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. MIDAS RECOMMENDED THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS BE CHANGED IMMEDIATELY FOR SAFETY PURPOSES; AND COMMENTED HOW UNUSUAL THIS BRAKE PROBLEM SEEMED. UPON GETTING HOME, I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND TSB #04-005-16-3217; NHTSA #10092486 (AMONGST OTHERS) THAT TELL OF A SIMILAR ISSUE. UPON GOING BACK TO MAZDA WITH THE BRAKES AND ROTORS THAT HAD PREMATURELY FAILED AND EXPLAINING THE TSB'S ONLINE, AND REQUESTING A REFUND FOR THE MONEY SPENT AT THE LOCAL SHOP; I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I JUST FEEL THAT MAZDA SHOULD HAVE REPLACED MY BRAKES AND ROTORS UPON MY INITIAL VISIT, KNOWING THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE IN CARS WITH LOW MILEAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11099097

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