← New search

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 · Jul 13, 2021
Exterior Lighting

2016 Mazda CX-5 Daytime Running Light may fail THE CONSUMER STATED THE LIGHTS FAILED. THEY WERE REPLACED BUT, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED SAFETY RECALL 4320A NHTSA 20V-063.

NHTSA ODI #11424557

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2021
Exterior Lighting

2016 MAZDA CX-5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS FAILURE SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL BUT, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL 4320A NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 20V-063. THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI #11423888

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2021
Unknown Or Other

As I was driving to work, the moonroof window exploded causing glass to fly every where. Thankfully, I had my sunshade closed so no glass came into the vehicle. Had it been open, I would have been hit by glass shards. There had been no damage to the moonroof window previously, no cracks or issues that I was aware of. While attem…

Read full complaint

As I was driving to work, the moonroof window exploded causing glass to fly every where. Thankfully, I had my sunshade closed so no glass came into the vehicle. Had it been open, I would have been hit by glass shards. There had been no damage to the moonroof window previously, no cracks or issues that I was aware of. While attempting to get it repaired, I was told that this had happened on the same type of vehicle one other time that the shop was aware of. I am currently waiting to hear back from Mazda regarding replacement/repair for the moonroof.

NHTSA ODI #11422785

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2021
EnginePower Train

Dealer identified drive belt tensioner as leaking and in need of replacement on a Mazda CX-5 with less than 30k miles on it. Many owners have reported identical failures at or around 30k. An insufficient part that is failing so frequently, this early on with low mileage is a significant safety issue.

NHTSA ODI #11421077

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2021
Exterior Lighting

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING

NHTSA ODI #11414460

51,650 miles · Apr 20, 2021
Electrical System

INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM CONTINUOUSLY REBOOTING / CMU GOES BAD. CANNOT REBOOT WITH REMOVING NAV CARD, ETC. THIS DISABLES BLUETOOTH, NAVIGATION, AFFECTS THE CAMERA. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS ONLINE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD.

NHTSA ODI #11413114

34,980 miles · Apr 13, 2021
Exterior LightingSteeringVehicle Speed Control

THE FOLLOWING WARNING AND WARNING LIGHTS BEGAN AROUND 34,980 MILES ON MY 2016.5 MAZDA CX-5 GRAND TOURING 2.5L SKYACTIV-G WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE: MASTER WARNING LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, POWER STEERING, KEYLESS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, SMART CITY BRAKE SUPPORT MALFUNCTION, FORWARD SCBS DISABLED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TCS/DSC…

Read full complaint

THE FOLLOWING WARNING AND WARNING LIGHTS BEGAN AROUND 34,980 MILES ON MY 2016.5 MAZDA CX-5 GRAND TOURING 2.5L SKYACTIV-G WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE: MASTER WARNING LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, POWER STEERING, KEYLESS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, SMART CITY BRAKE SUPPORT MALFUNCTION, FORWARD SCBS DISABLED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TCS/DSC INDICATOR LIGHT, TCS OFF INDICATOR LIGHT, BLIND SPOT MONITORING (BSM) OFF INDICATION, BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, ABS WARNING LIGHT, ELECTRIC BRAKE WARNING LIGHT, AIR BAG/FRONT SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, LED HEADLIGHT WARNING LIGHT, AND THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF. USING THE LEFT BLINKER WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLES POWER TO RESTART AND YES, WHILE DRIVING! THIS STARTED NOVEMBER 14, 2020 AND WHEN I NOTIFIED MAZDA, THEY DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED AND A COUPLE DAYS LATER THE LIGHT WERE NO LONGER THERE. THIS OCCURRED AGAIN DECEMBER 15, 2020 AND MARCH 5, 2021 WHEN I DECIDED MAZDA NEEDS TO RUN A DIAGNOSIS BECAUSE CLEARLY SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT. MY DEALERSHIP INSISTED IT WAS MY BATTERY (BASICALLY THE ONLY WARNING LIGHT NOT ON) AND MY REAR BRAKE PADS. THEN WHEN THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE, THEY SAID CORROSION NEEDED TO BE CLEANED WHICH WAS NOT SHOWN IN THE VEHICLE INSPECTION VIDEO. ALSO, MY CAR WAS JUST SERVICED AT MY MAZDA DEALERSHIP JULY 2020 WITH 33,706 MILES. SEPTEMBER 2020 MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND I RETURNED TO A LARGE CRACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE. AROUND 25,000 THE TIRED NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, NOW AT 36,666 MILES TIRE THREAD DEPTH IS IN THE YELLOW' MY VEHICLE ALIGNMENT HAS ZERO ISSUES AND MY MAZDA DEALERSHIP IS THE ONLY ONE WHO ROTATES THE TIRES (OR SUPPOSE TO).

NHTSA ODI #11407988

50,000 miles · Mar 31, 2021
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS WORKING ON VEHICLE, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. INVALID VIN.

NHTSA ODI #11405788

65 miles · Mar 24, 2021
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY HUSBAND AND OUR SUNROOF GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. WE JUST HEARD A REALLY LOUD BANG AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN, WE COULD HEAR THE WIND BLOWING AND OUR SUNROOF COVER WAS BEING FORCED OPEN. WE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND FOUND OUR SUNROOF BROKEN TO PIECES. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE WEATHER…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY HUSBAND AND OUR SUNROOF GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. WE JUST HEARD A REALLY LOUD BANG AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN, WE COULD HEAR THE WIND BLOWING AND OUR SUNROOF COVER WAS BEING FORCED OPEN. WE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND FOUND OUR SUNROOF BROKEN TO PIECES. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY/CLOUDY AND IN THE 60S. THERE WAS NO BRIDGE OR OVERHEAD PASS, NO BIG TRUCKS DRIVING NEARBY US. THE ENVIRONMENT OUTSIDE WAS FLAT, DRY LANDS.

NHTSA ODI #11404675

37,900 miles · Mar 22, 2021
Fuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

I WAS DRIVING AND WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN SO I PRESSED BRAKE TO COME TO A STOP. WHILE I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY REVVED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD. I HAD TO SWITCH THE CAR TO NEUTRAL GEAR TO STOP AND THEN BACK UP OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #11404375

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