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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
31,000 miles · Aug 2, 2018
Exterior Lighting

AFTER APPROXIMATELY 31,000 MILES, MY DRIVER SIDE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS CEASED TO WORK. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, SINCE I USE MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS TO ALERT ONCOMING TRAFFIC OF MY PRESENCE.

NHTSA ODI #11115371

41,000 miles · Jul 24, 2018
Wheels

DRIVING ON RTE 95 S IN PA. WHEN THE RIGHT REAR YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR G91A TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENTIRE CENTER TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL AND TOOK OFF DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE TPMS DID NOT ALERT ME AND ONLY THE SIDEWALLS ARE LEFT. MAZDA AND YOKOHAMA COULDN'T CARE LESS WHEN I CONTACTED THEM.

NHTSA ODI #11113252

40,000 miles · Jul 17, 2018
Exterior Lighting

FAILURE OF LED DRL (DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT) ON PASSENGER (RIGHT) SIDE. NON REPLACEABLE BULB. REQUIRES REMOVAL OF FRONT BUMPER COVER AND REPLACEMENT OF COMPLETE HEADLIGHT MODULE FOR EXCESS OF $1000. MAZDA WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACING UNDER A SILENT WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #11112017

59,000 miles · Jul 16, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT ON PASSENGER-SIDE HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND IS VERY DIM. ON A FEW OCCASIONS, THE DRIVER OF VEHICLE IN FRONT STATED THAT IT LOOKED AS IF MY HEADLIGHT WAS OUT AS WELL. VEHICLE IS ONLY 3-YEARS OLD. MILEAGE SHOULD NOT AFFECT ELECTIRAL LED COMPONENTS. DRL'S OR HEADLIGHTS ARE REQUIRED DURING ADVERSE WEATHER COND…

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LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT ON PASSENGER-SIDE HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND IS VERY DIM. ON A FEW OCCASIONS, THE DRIVER OF VEHICLE IN FRONT STATED THAT IT LOOKED AS IF MY HEADLIGHT WAS OUT AS WELL. VEHICLE IS ONLY 3-YEARS OLD. MILEAGE SHOULD NOT AFFECT ELECTIRAL LED COMPONENTS. DRL'S OR HEADLIGHTS ARE REQUIRED DURING ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS OR WHEN OPERATING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS.

NHTSA ODI #11111493

28,000 miles · Jul 14, 2018
Exterior Lighting

LED DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS FAILED ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF VEHICLE. KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CX-5 CAUSING A SAFETY CONCERN SINCE THIS IS NOT A SERVICEABLE PART OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11111308

38,900 miles · Jul 7, 2018
Exterior Lighting

THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON MY 2016 CX-5 HAVE FAILED AFTER TWO YEARS AND 38900 MILES. YOU CANNOT REPLACE THE "BULB" FOR A FEW DOLLARS. YOU MUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE LIGHT UNIT THAT INCLUDES LOW BEAM, HIGH BEAM, TURN SIGNAL, AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL). THIS UNIT COSTS MINIMUM OF $400.00 AND UP TO $1200…

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THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON MY 2016 CX-5 HAVE FAILED AFTER TWO YEARS AND 38900 MILES. YOU CANNOT REPLACE THE "BULB" FOR A FEW DOLLARS. YOU MUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE LIGHT UNIT THAT INCLUDES LOW BEAM, HIGH BEAM, TURN SIGNAL, AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL). THIS UNIT COSTS MINIMUM OF $400.00 AND UP TO $1200.00 WHEN INSTALLED BY DEALER. THIS IS AN EXORBITANT PRICE TO PAY FOR A SIMPLE LED BULB THAT SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN TWO YEARS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

NHTSA ODI #11109982

22,000 miles · Jul 7, 2018
Exterior Lighting

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. PROBLEM IS REPRODUCED DURING EVERY TRIP OR BY TURNING ON THE PARKING LIGHTS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. WHEN PURCHASED, I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE NEW LED LIGHTS AND THAT THEY WOULDN'T BURN OUT LIKE OLD-STYLE LAMPS. THEY HAVE S…

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DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. PROBLEM IS REPRODUCED DURING EVERY TRIP OR BY TURNING ON THE PARKING LIGHTS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. WHEN PURCHASED, I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE NEW LED LIGHTS AND THAT THEY WOULDN'T BURN OUT LIKE OLD-STYLE LAMPS. THEY HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING LESS THAN 3 MONTHS AFTER MY 3-YEAR/36,000-MILE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I HAVE DRIVEN LESS THAN 22,500 MILES AND THE DEALERSHIP IS QUOTING ME $1,500 TO REPAIR WHAT SHOULD BE <$100 (CONSERVATIVELY) FOR LEDS. LOOKING ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT FROM OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE, AND APPARENTLY MAZDA HAS REVISED THE REPLACEMENT PART NUMEROUS TIMES BUT PEOPLE ARE STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS AND COSTS TO CONSUMERS ARE INCREASING FOR THIS SAFETY FEATURE.

NHTSA ODI #11109979

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

90,000 miles · Jun 26, 2018
Exterior Lighting

LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON HEADLIGHT NOW FLICKER AND FAIL INSPECTION EVEN THOUGH NO DAMAGE OR IMPACTS OCCURRED TO THE HEADLIGHT. REPAIR IS IN EXCESS OF $1200. HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/MAZDA/CX-5/2016/LIGHTS/EXTERIOR_LIGHTING.SHTML HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/MAZDA/CX-5/HEADLIGHTS-PROBLEMS.PHP

NHTSA ODI #11104054

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

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