2016 Mazda CX-5 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 204 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mazda CX-5, most often about lighting. There are 4 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
204
Recalls
4
Crashes
8
Fires
6
Injuries
4
Median mileage
47,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Lighting is the most-reported problem area, named in 51 of 204 complaints (25%).
  • Electrical System (38) and brakes (31) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 47,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 8 crashes, 6 fires and 4 injuries.
  • The 2016 Mazda CX-5 has 4 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 3rd of 14 Mazda CX-5 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 437% more complaints than the 2015 model year (38).

2016 Mazda CX-5 problems by category

  • Lighting
    51 complaints
  • Electrical System · 2 crashes
    38 complaints
  • Brakes
    31 complaints
  • Engine · 2 crashes
    28 complaints
  • Other / Unknown · 2 crashes
    25 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts · 2 crashes
    14 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion · 2 crashes
    13 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    13 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash
    11 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    9 complaints
  • Suspension
    7 complaints
  • Steering
    4 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash
    4 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    4 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    3 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Exterior lighting47
Electrical system38
Engine28
Service brakes28
Unknown or other24
Seats13
Fuel/propulsion system12
Visibility/wiper12

When problems happen (mileage)

2Under 10k1410k–30k3330k–60k1960k–100k6100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2016 Mazda CX-5 complaints that list mileage.

2016 Mazda CX-5 recalls (4)

  • Recall 20V063000Feb 6, 202036,761 vehicles
    EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 CX-5 vehicles. The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may fail while driving.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 16V644000Sep 6, 2016580,455 vehicles
    STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 16V203000Apr 11, 2016578 vehicles
    STEERING

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 16V064000Feb 3, 2016268,799 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

    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."

    Risk: 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.

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2016 Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
2016 Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Recent 2016 Mazda CX-5 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Aug 5, 2026MESuspension
    Rear subframe corrosion on this vehicle. I am in a winter road salt region, the materials used for this vehicle's subframe are not compatible with consistent driving in this region. Similar vehicles (not mine?) were subject to a recall for the front subframe, but nothing for the rear. This rear subframe issues caused multiple failures of virtually every component of the rear suspension - control arms, rear springs, etc. The repair cost for JUST the subframe was $3813. Not…
    NHTSA complaint #11754892 · source
  2. Filed Aug 5, 2026MESuspension
    Rear subframe corrosion on this vehicle. I am in a winter road salt region, the materials used for this vehicle's subframe are not compatible with consistent driving in this region. Similar vehicles (not mine?) were subject to a recall for the front subframe, but nothing for the rear. This rear subframe issues caused multiple failures of virtually every component of the rear suspension - control arms, rear springs, etc. The repair cost for JUST the subframe was $3813. Not…
    NHTSA complaint #11754891 · source
  3. Filed Jul 30, 202684,000 miPABrakesElectrical System
    The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electric parking brake module warning light was illuminated and the "Brake failure. Vehicle unsafe to drive," message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The failure occurred on several different occasions. The contact expressed concern that the brakes could engage while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…
    NHTSA complaint #11753843 · source
  4. Filed Jun 22, 2026NYElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    Repeated Failure and Rebooting of Mazda Connect Infotainment System I am the owner of a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The factory Mazda Connect infotainment system has developed a recurring defect in which the system repeatedly reboots to the Mazda logo while driving. Prior to complete failure, the navigation system became intermittent and Bluetooth connectivity frequently disconnected, requiring repeated attempts to reconnect devices. The system now continuously cycles through the…
    NHTSA complaint #11745804 · source
  5. Filed Jun 16, 202691,000 miILElectrical System
    The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, the cruise control cancellation switch failed to operate as intended after several attempts or while depressing the brake pedal. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact was able to deactivate the cruise control using the main cruise control power switch. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the…
    NHTSA complaint #11744529 · source
  6. Filed Jun 1, 2026FLElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    In 2024 I started having problems with my battery replaced it 3 times last time with a Mazda battery per Mazda advice. The car started to jerk while driving took it back to Mazda said it could be fuel injectors. They cleaned them and problem persists. Took it back they cleaned purve valve and then I broke down while leaving on [XXX] . Called service dept called police since it was in the middle of the blvd. And in traffic. We were lucky no one hit us. They took my car gave…
    NHTSA complaint #11741365 · source
  7. Filed May 28, 2026131,860 miMIEngine
    The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic diagnosed with a sensor failure and needing to replace a catalytic converter. The oxygen sensors were repalced.r was replaced by an independent mechanic. The vehicle stalled while reversing. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 131,860.
    NHTSA complaint #11740585 · source
  8. Filed May 27, 2026WAVisibility & Wipers
    (I am the owner of the car and am filling this out for my daughter who was driving it at the time, I was not with her during the incident) While driving down the road in the rain the wipers just stopped working. I have not had any dealers ID the specific problem yet. We replaced the wiper 20amp fuse and it did not fix the problem. There were no warning lamps and there are still no warning lamps. My safety was put into danger when I could not see out the window. I was nearly…
    NHTSA complaint #11740504 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology