← 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
49,000 miles · Nov 18, 2015
Power Train

HAD FULLY LOADED CX5 TOURING 4 MONTHS. SUDDENLY TODAY, WHEN I PRESS ON ACCELERATOR, CAR WOULD JERK AS IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE FORWARD. AFTER I MADE IT TO WORK, LEFT WORK EARLY TO GO TO DEALERSHIP. CAR WOULD START AND GO INTO REVERSE, BUT IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD IN DRIVE. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY ARE T…

Read full complaint

HAD FULLY LOADED CX5 TOURING 4 MONTHS. SUDDENLY TODAY, WHEN I PRESS ON ACCELERATOR, CAR WOULD JERK AS IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE FORWARD. AFTER I MADE IT TO WORK, LEFT WORK EARLY TO GO TO DEALERSHIP. CAR WOULD START AND GO INTO REVERSE, BUT IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD IN DRIVE. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY ARE TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I AM REALLY NERVOUS THAT THEY FIND THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME. I HAVE A 90 MILE COMMUTE (ROUND TRIP) ON A FAST MOVING TOLL ROAD, AND CANNOT TAKE THE CHANCE OF BREAKING DOWN WHEN I AM IN ROUTE.

NHTSA ODI #10794779

10,000 miles · Nov 17, 2015
Visibility/wiper

PURCHASED 2016 MAZDA CX-5 IN JUNE 2015. WITHIN TWO WEEKS, CRACKED WINDSHIELD. TWO MONTHS LATER, SECOND CRACKED WINDSHIELD. TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT, CRACKED WINDSHIELD. TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT, CRACKED WINDSHIELD. NOW...ANOTHER TWO MONTHS LATER, I WILL BE ON MY 4TH WINDSHIELD. WHEN THESE CRACK, THEY CREATE HIGH GLARE AND BLINDING MOM…

Read full complaint

PURCHASED 2016 MAZDA CX-5 IN JUNE 2015. WITHIN TWO WEEKS, CRACKED WINDSHIELD. TWO MONTHS LATER, SECOND CRACKED WINDSHIELD. TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT, CRACKED WINDSHIELD. TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT, CRACKED WINDSHIELD. NOW...ANOTHER TWO MONTHS LATER, I WILL BE ON MY 4TH WINDSHIELD. WHEN THESE CRACK, THEY CREATE HIGH GLARE AND BLINDING MOMENTS WHEN SUN OR HEADLIGHTS CATCH THAT CRACK. THERE IS A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN ISSUE WITH THIS PRODUCT. AND ALSO AN ACCOMPANYING SAFETY ISSUE. I ONLY NOTICED THESE CRACKS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING. RECOURSE?

NHTSA ODI #10794302

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2015
Seats

HELLO, THE HEAD RESTRAINTS ON OUR NEW CX-5 ARE FAR TO FORWARD FOR PROPER POSTURE. IF WE SIT UPRIGHT, THE BACKS OF OUR HEADS ACTUALLY TOUCH THE HEAD RESTRAINT FORCING OUR CHINS TO OUR NECK. I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR GOOD HEAD RESTRAINTS, BUT AT THE COST OF PROPER POSTURE? I SEE THE TEST DUMMY BIORID HAS HORRIBLE POSTURE WITH …

Read full complaint

HELLO, THE HEAD RESTRAINTS ON OUR NEW CX-5 ARE FAR TO FORWARD FOR PROPER POSTURE. IF WE SIT UPRIGHT, THE BACKS OF OUR HEADS ACTUALLY TOUCH THE HEAD RESTRAINT FORCING OUR CHINS TO OUR NECK. I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR GOOD HEAD RESTRAINTS, BUT AT THE COST OF PROPER POSTURE? I SEE THE TEST DUMMY BIORID HAS HORRIBLE POSTURE WITH IT'S HEAD FAR FORWARD OF IT'S SHOULDERS. THIS HAS LONG TERM BAD EFFECTS FOR YOUR SPINE TO SIT LIKE THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10790295

3,500 miles · Nov 13, 2015
Power Train

FIRST EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM TWO DAYS AGO, SHIFT THE GEAR FROM PARKED POSITION TO REVERSE BUT THE GEAR FAILED TO ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY; THEN SHIFT THE GEAR TO DRIVE AGAIN GEAR FAILED TO ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY FOR 3 OR 4 SECONDS THEN SUDDEN JERK WHEN GEAR ENGAGED VEHICLE STARTS TO MOVE FORWARD (LUCKILY DID NOT STEP HARD ON THE ACCELER…

Read full complaint

FIRST EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM TWO DAYS AGO, SHIFT THE GEAR FROM PARKED POSITION TO REVERSE BUT THE GEAR FAILED TO ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY; THEN SHIFT THE GEAR TO DRIVE AGAIN GEAR FAILED TO ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY FOR 3 OR 4 SECONDS THEN SUDDEN JERK WHEN GEAR ENGAGED VEHICLE STARTS TO MOVE FORWARD (LUCKILY DID NOT STEP HARD ON THE ACCELERATOR AND REV THE RPM). SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY SPEED WITH EITHER ACCELERATION/DECELERATION WHERE RPM REV FROM APPROX. 2500RPM SURGE TO 4500/5000RPM THEN EXPERIENCED STRONG JERK. ALSO, WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED AT SIGNAL (LONGER STOP) GEAR IN DRIVE POSITION SEEMS TO DISENGAGE AND SAME PROBLEM OCCURS. VEHICLE LEFT AT MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND CHECKED BY MAZDA SERVICE MECHANIC AWAITING FOR THEIR INVESTIGATION.

NHTSA ODI #10790088

100 miles · Nov 4, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.

NHTSA ODI #10788225

700 miles · Oct 19, 2015
Power Train

I HAD DRIVEN MY NEW CAR FOR ONLY ABOUT 700 MILES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I WAS WAITING FOR A RED LIGHT TO TURN GREEN. WHEN IT DID, I PRESSED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR ENGINE ROARED, BUT THE TRANSMISSION ACTED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR WENT NO WHERE FOR ABOUT FIVE SECONDS. I PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND WAS LUCKY NO…

Read full complaint

I HAD DRIVEN MY NEW CAR FOR ONLY ABOUT 700 MILES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I WAS WAITING FOR A RED LIGHT TO TURN GREEN. WHEN IT DID, I PRESSED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR ENGINE ROARED, BUT THE TRANSMISSION ACTED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR WENT NO WHERE FOR ABOUT FIVE SECONDS. I PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND WAS LUCKY NOT TO BE HIT FROM BEHIND. EVENTUALLY, THE DRIVE KICKED IN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THERE WAS NO KNOWN RECALL ISSUE AS OF YET. MAZDA REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AS PER THE WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #10783390

500 miles · Oct 12, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I AM SO UPSET WITH MAZDA RIGHT NOW. I HAVE A FULLY LOADED CX-5 GRAND TOURING WITH EVERYTHING THAT COULD BE ADDED. HOWEVER, MY NAVIGATION HAD BEEN RECALLED WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK AND 2 WEEKS LATER I HAD A HUGE CRACK ON MY WINDSHIELD. THIS CRACK IS THE WEIRDEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN. MY DEALER SAID IT HAD TO BE A ROCK, BUT I PARKE…

Read full complaint

I AM SO UPSET WITH MAZDA RIGHT NOW. I HAVE A FULLY LOADED CX-5 GRAND TOURING WITH EVERYTHING THAT COULD BE ADDED. HOWEVER, MY NAVIGATION HAD BEEN RECALLED WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK AND 2 WEEKS LATER I HAD A HUGE CRACK ON MY WINDSHIELD. THIS CRACK IS THE WEIRDEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN. MY DEALER SAID IT HAD TO BE A ROCK, BUT I PARKED MY CAR AND AFTER SCHOOL I CAME OUT TO THIS REALLY LONG CRACK. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND MANY OF US ARE ALL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE WINDSHIELD IS ON BACK ORDER AND IS SUPER EXPENSIVE. THIS IS CRAZY AND MAZDA SHOULD PAY AT LEAST HALF OF THE PRICE. I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH A CAR. I HAVE HAD 5 MAZDA'S AND THIS ONE IS A LEMON.

NHTSA ODI #10781500

1,000 miles · Oct 5, 2015
Power Train

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OR DRIVE TO REVERSE. IT WOULD BE IN DRIVE BUT WOULD REVERSE. THEN IT WOULD LURCH FORWARD AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV AND IT WOULD GO FORWARD. IT HAD A DELAYED REACTION WHEN CHANGING THE GEARS AND ENGINE WOULD REV UP WHEN IT FINALLY WOULD CHANGE. I TOOK IT TO MAZDA DEALER AND THEY S…

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OR DRIVE TO REVERSE. IT WOULD BE IN DRIVE BUT WOULD REVERSE. THEN IT WOULD LURCH FORWARD AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV AND IT WOULD GO FORWARD. IT HAD A DELAYED REACTION WHEN CHANGING THE GEARS AND ENGINE WOULD REV UP WHEN IT FINALLY WOULD CHANGE. I TOOK IT TO MAZDA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. IT HAS 1000 MILES AND IS ABOUT 6 WEEKS OLD.

NHTSA ODI #10779905

2 miles · Sep 29, 2015
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT CLEAR LENS IS MELTING FROM INSIDE. CLEAR LENS THAT COVERS HEADLIGHT HAS COATING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. IT IS THE INSIDE COATING THAT IS FLOWING DOWN. LOOKS LIKE IT WAS OVER-APPLIED DURING MANUFACTURING PROCESS. BUT IN TIME, IT'S APPEARANCE IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE VISIBLE. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT. MAKING THE CAR LOOKING LIKE…

Read full complaint

HEADLIGHT CLEAR LENS IS MELTING FROM INSIDE. CLEAR LENS THAT COVERS HEADLIGHT HAS COATING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. IT IS THE INSIDE COATING THAT IS FLOWING DOWN. LOOKS LIKE IT WAS OVER-APPLIED DURING MANUFACTURING PROCESS. BUT IN TIME, IT'S APPEARANCE IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE VISIBLE. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT. MAKING THE CAR LOOKING LIKE 10 YEAR OLD. APPEARANCE ISSUE WAS PRESENT IN PARKING LOT OF DEALER. DEALER KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND ASSURED ME TO REPLACE IT. BUT AVOIDING MY CALLS FOR SIX MONTHS. MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE TELLS ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO SERVICE CENTER. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO SERVICE, AND MAZDA TECHNICIAN GUY TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND PICTURED. NO ONE IS ANSWERING MY CALLS NOR GIVING ME ANY UPDATE ON HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #10778543

2,150 miles · Sep 26, 2015
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

AUTOMOBILE WAS ALMOST BRAND NEW, DIDN'T EVEN HAVE LICENSE PLATES ON IT YET, WHEN I PROCEEDED TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. THE VEHICLE BACKED OUT BUT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD IN DRIVE. IT FINALLY LURCHED INTO DRIVE AFTER GIVING IT MORE GAS AND REVVING THE ENGINE. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT, AGAIN SAME ISSUE. WOULD NO…

Read full complaint

AUTOMOBILE WAS ALMOST BRAND NEW, DIDN'T EVEN HAVE LICENSE PLATES ON IT YET, WHEN I PROCEEDED TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. THE VEHICLE BACKED OUT BUT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD IN DRIVE. IT FINALLY LURCHED INTO DRIVE AFTER GIVING IT MORE GAS AND REVVING THE ENGINE. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT, AGAIN SAME ISSUE. WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD IN DRIVE, EVEN IN MANUAL SHIFT MODE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED. MAZDA STATED THEY ARE REPLACING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. I AM REPORTING IN CASE THEIR ARE OTHERS HAVING THIS ISSUE. VERY THANKFUL IT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT WHEN I WAS TRYING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #10777839

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