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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
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2024
Service Brakes

After having brakes serviced brake lights continue to come on. After research from many other complaints they are saying it’s the emergency parking that needs replaced? We shouldn’t have to replace this every time the brakes are replaced.

NHTSA ODI #11611150

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2024
Electrical System

Ghost touch screen on multimedia. Causing detracting issues while driving.

NHTSA ODI #11609635

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2024
Service Brakes

Back brakes arent gripping, caliper isn’t working been changed quite a few times. Either the abs or electric brakes

NHTSA ODI #11607448

60,000 miles · Aug 7, 2024
Exterior Lighting

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the daytime running lights were significantly dimmed while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V063000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not …

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The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the daytime running lights were significantly dimmed while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V063000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #11607073

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2024
Engine

My daughter was driving her 2016 CX5 when the coolant temperature warning message displayed on the instrument panel, advising her to pull over immediately. She had just driven on to the expressway, but luckily was still in the right lane and was able to pull over safely. If she had been in any other lane of the busy highway when…

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My daughter was driving her 2016 CX5 when the coolant temperature warning message displayed on the instrument panel, advising her to pull over immediately. She had just driven on to the expressway, but luckily was still in the right lane and was able to pull over safely. If she had been in any other lane of the busy highway when this occurred it could have been a serious safety issue for my daughter and the other drivers on the highway. I contacted AAA to tow the car to my local mechanic. The service tech reported that they began by plugging their diagnostic tool into the car and they received two engine codes: P111A-00 and P011A, and that a software update must be performed first. I had the car towed to Turnersville Mazda. They said that there would be a $215 per hour diagnostic fee. They found that the thermostat needed to be replaced as it failed to open during engine operation. This service incurred a $397.55 cost. After replacing it they noticed that a milky substance was produced, indicating motor oil mixing with coolant. They recommended replacing the engine due to a crack in the cylinder head at a cost of $10,300. For some reason the service tech elected to replace the spark plugs and update the software AFTER the catastrophic engine issue was discovered, incurring an additional $330 in charges. Prior to this incident there were no issues with the vehicle, no warning lamps or symptoms of any kind.

NHTSA ODI #11603978

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2024
Seat BeltsSeats

The component that failed was the passenger's seat belt. It became unattached from the seat. It appears as though the bolt that holds the fastener to the seat failed. The vehicle is currently available for inspection as it has not been taken to be repaired, yet. Safety was put at risk by the seatbelt not being attached to the se…

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The component that failed was the passenger's seat belt. It became unattached from the seat. It appears as though the bolt that holds the fastener to the seat failed. The vehicle is currently available for inspection as it has not been taken to be repaired, yet. Safety was put at risk by the seatbelt not being attached to the seat which could have resulted in serious bodily injury in the event of an accident. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, yet. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by police, insurance, or manufacturer. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem appeared prior to failure.

NHTSA ODI #11595190

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2024
Engine

Bolt from inside engine blew out, putting hole in engine block

NHTSA ODI #11594012

100,000 miles · Jun 12, 2024
Exterior Lighting

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that when the headlights were turned on, the passenger’s side headlight failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with front passenger's headlight failure. The contact was informed that the passenger's side front headlight needed to be rep…

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The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that when the headlights were turned on, the passenger’s side headlight failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with front passenger's headlight failure. The contact was informed that the passenger's side front headlight needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V063000 (Exterior Lighting) in 2020; however, only the front driver's side headlight was replaced at that time. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V063000 (Exterior Lighting) had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11593874

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2024
Engine

Car was having trouble with pickup and was making a subtle recurrent noise. Sped up after turning a corner and engine just sputtered out and car came to a complete stop within seconds. The engine light never came on and the engine did not overheat. Car would not turnover to start after that. Car was towed to an independent gara…

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Car was having trouble with pickup and was making a subtle recurrent noise. Sped up after turning a corner and engine just sputtered out and car came to a complete stop within seconds. The engine light never came on and the engine did not overheat. Car would not turnover to start after that. Car was towed to an independent garage where they stated engine failure. Was then towed to a garage that can handle engine issues where it was declared a total loss and catastrophic engine failure.

NHTSA ODI #11591606

47,000 miles · May 8, 2024
Exterior Lighting

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the contact noticed through a store’s glass window that the daytime running lights were not functioning. The contact checked the lights and noticed that the lights would not display or activate properly. There was no warning light illuminated. The …

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The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the contact noticed through a store’s glass window that the daytime running lights were not functioning. The contact checked the lights and noticed that the lights would not display or activate properly. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not associated with an unknown recall due to the date the vehicle was manufactured. The failure mileage was 47,000.

NHTSA ODI #11587714

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