2016 Mazda CX-5
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Exterior lighting is the leading concern among 510 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 14 CX-5 model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 31 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, headlightsFeb 6, 2020
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 CX-5 vehicles. The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may fail while driving.
If the DRL fails, the vehicle's visibility may be reduced to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V063000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgateSep 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.
If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 16V644000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringApr 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.
If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 16V203000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assembly, filler pipe and capFeb 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."
A rupture of the fuel filler pipe may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 16V064000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, windshieldJan 19, 2016
Pilkington North America, Inc. (Pilkington) is recalling certain replacement windshields, model FW04026 GTY, manufactured November 23, 2015, to December 16, 2015 for use in Mazda CX-5 vehicles that are equipped with the Smart City Brake Support system. The affected windshields have a bracket mounted on the inside to hold a laser sensor or LIDAR device for the Smart City Brake Support system. These brackets were improperly affixed with only tape instead of tape and urethane and therefore may loosen.
If the bracket loosens or detaches from the windshield, the safety features of the Smart City Brake Support system may be disabled and therefore increase the risk of a crash.
Pilkington will contact the wholesalers and retailers that purchased the windshields to try to identify the affected customers. The affected windshields will be replaced, free of charge. This recall began on February 15, 2016. Owners may contact Pilkington at 1-844-278-7230.
Campaign 16E002000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: exterior lighting
161 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, May 21, 2019
PASSENGER SIDE DAYLIGHT LED HEADLIGHT QUITE WORKING. THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. MAZDA IS IGNORING THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER THEY WILL GLADLY TAKE YOUR $1200 AND REPLACE THE LIGHT. THIS ISSUE SMELLS LIKE A MAZDA SCAM TO ME. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.
Exterior lighting, May 14, 2019
DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHT EARLY FAILURE. ADVISED ONLY SOLUTION IS COMPLETE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY ESTIMATED AT OVER $1000 COST. SAFETY ISSUE & I SEE ITS A COMMON PROBLEM. MAZDA AS THE MFG SHOULD CALL ON ITS SUPPLIER TO MAKE IT RIGHT AND ITS DRIVERS SAFER ON THE ROAD. I ALWAYS LIKE TO RUN THESE AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION AS THEY ARE INTENDED.
Exterior lighting, May 8, 2019
MY 2016 MAZDA CX5 GRAND TOURING HAS LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND HAVE BECOME DIM ON DRIVER SIDE AFTER ONLY 36,620 MILES, I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THEY ARE JUST OUTSIDE THE 3 YEAR/36K MILE WARRANTY AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT WHOLE HEADLIGHT UNIT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND WILL COST $1000-1100 (ESTIMATE). MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT MANY OF THESE LED HEADLIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND NUMEROUS OWNERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES (HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/MAZDA/CX-5/2016/LIGHTS/EXTERIOR_LIGHTING.SHTML)
Exterior lighting, May 8, 2019
DRIVER SIDE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AFTER 3.5 YEARS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE MAZDA CX-5 2016 MODEL YEAR. MAZDA KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT IS NOT ISSUING A RECALL. THE COST TO REPAIR THE ISSUES IS OVER $1,000.00 JUST TO REPLACE THE WORN OUT LED'S.
Exterior lighting, Apr 27, 2019
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILED AT JUST 27,500 MILES. IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE LEDS, THE ENTIRE LIGHT UNIT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED OUT, AND CAN ONLY BE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF OVER $1200. THIS IS A VERY QUICK FAILURE OF A LONG LASTING LED LIGHT AND AT A HIGH COST TO THE OWNER. THIS SHOULD FALL UNDER A RECALL.
Exterior lighting, Apr 22, 2019
PASSENGER RUNNING LIGHT -HALO- STARTED FLICKERING/ DIMMING AND NOW IS COMPLETELY BURNT OUT WITH 33000 MILES ON VEHICLE. SAFETY HAZARD AND REPEATED ISSUE KNOWN BY MAZDA SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY MAZDA. $1000+ TO REPLACE A LIGHT IS RIDICULOUS WHEN TYPICALLY LIGHTS CAN BE REPLACED VIA BULB REPLACEMENT, THIS LED IS A CLOSED ASSEMBLY AND REQUIRES DEALERSHIP REPLACEMENT. EVERY 2-3 YEARS OWNERS SHOULD PAY $3000 TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS? REALLY!? NOT OK. THIS IS A FAULTY PART/DESIGN FLAW THAT CREATES SAFETY HAZARD WHEN USING RUNNING LIGHTS THAT ARE NOT FULLY OPERATIONAL, ESP IN THE PACNW WITH RAIN/POOR VISIBILITY.
Exterior lighting, Apr 22, 2019
MANY 2016 MAZDA CX-5S ARE EXPERIENCING FAILURES OF ONE OR BOTH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. THESE ARE SEALED BEAM LIGHTS, SO IT COSTS ALMOST $1000 TO REPLACE AND ARE NOT COVERED BY ORIGINAL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. RUNNING LIGHTS ARE A SAFETY FEATURE - SHOULDN'T THIS BE A RECALL ITEM? MY PASSENGER SIDE WENT OUT AT JUST OVER 37,000 MILES - JUST AFTER THE 3-YEAR / 36,000 MILE WARRANTY, BUT I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. NEITHER COVER THE PROBLEM.
Exterior lighting, Apr 9, 2019
DRIVERS SIDE RUNNING LIGHT NOT WORKING. DEALER REPLACED AFTER 37 MONTHS 38921 MILAGE. ONE YEAR OUT OF WARRANTY. CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN I NOTICED PROBLEM.
Exterior lighting, Apr 3, 2019
THE LED HALO LIGHT IN THE FRONT HEADLAMPS WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON ONE SIDE AND FLICKERS ON THE OTHER SIDE. THE REPAIR IS $1000 PER SIDE AND ISN'T COVERED BY WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MAZDA KNOWS IT . MULTIPLE PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AROUND THE SAME TIME. THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL. NO ONE CAN OR WILL PAY THAT KIND OF MONEY FOR A LIGHT BULB. THE PROBLEM IS PROLIFIC AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
Exterior lighting, Mar 31, 2019
PASSENGER SIDE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS DIED.
Exterior lighting, Mar 27, 2019
MAZDA CX-5 GRAND TOURING LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE DIM ON DRIVER SIDE AFTER ONLY 48,000 MILES. OUTSIDE OF 36K MILE WARRANTY. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT MANY OF THESE LED HEADLIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND NUMEROUS OWNERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES AFTER 40K MILES.
Exterior lighting, Mar 27, 2019
DAYTIME LED RUNNING LIGHTS FLICKERING AND GOING OFF. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 22,000 MILES THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOW I FEAR MY WHOLE HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN PARKED AND DRIVING. A SAFETY RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED FOR THIS SERIOUS AND DEADLY PROBLEM. NOTICED THIS A MONTH AGO BUT COULD HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR AWHILE I AM BEGGING YOU PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BECAUSE AT 22,000 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN
Exterior lighting, Mar 22, 2019
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS FLICKERING. DEALERSHIP ADVISED NEEDS REPLACED AT $1100 PLUS FOR ONE. I THOUGHT LEDS LASTED FOR 10 YEARS. VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN IN UNSAFE CONDITIONS BECAUSE OF COST OR ARE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. MAZDA SHOULD HAVE TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND STAND BEHIND THIS ISSUE.
Exterior lighting, Mar 4, 2019
MAZDA CX-5, HIGHLIGHT ASSEMBLIES NEED FULL REPLACEMENT, TWO MONTHS OUT OF 3 YEAR WARRANTY. NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY CONCERN.... ????? $3,000 TO REPLACE BOTH.
Exterior lighting, Feb 16, 2019
PROBLEM WITH BOTH LED RUNNING LIGHTS. ONE IS COMPLETELY OUT AND THE OTHER STRING IS PARTIALLY LIT. MY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON (CONSISTENT WITH ONLINE COMPLAINT POSTS) BUT THE WARRANTY WILL ONLY COVER IT IF THE MILES ARE UNDER 36,000 MILES...MY CAR'S MILEAGE IS OVER THAT.
Exterior lighting, Feb 15, 2019
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT IS FLICKERING - DEALERSHIP SAID THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT OVER $1000 PER SIDE. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAS 46000 ON IT BUT OF COURSE OUT OF WARRANTY. THERE HAVE BEEN TOO MANY DEFECTIVE 2016 MAZDA CX-5'S WITH THE SAME ISSUE - HOW CAN THESE DEALERS SELL DEFECTIVE VEHICLES OR NOT BE MADE TO FIX THE CHEAP DEFECTIVE PARTS THEY USE. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE USED FOR SAFETY.....SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.
Exterior lighting, Feb 12, 2019
DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS FAILING AFTER ONLY 50000 MILES
Exterior lighting, Feb 6, 2019
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. DRIVERS SIDE LIGHT GOING OUT. PASSENGER SIDE RUNNING LIGHT IS OUT. I CALLED DEALERSHIP AND PRICE WAS GOING TO BE CLOSE TO $1200 EACH. I WAS UNAWARE THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT WAS OUT. I DID NOTICE LAST FALL A 'BLINKING' IN THE LED ON DRIVER'S SIDE. WILL THERE BE A RECALL ON THIS MALFUNCTION?
Exterior lighting, Jan 31, 2019
THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED AFTER 3 YEARS AND 60,000 MILES. IT IS AN LED, NON-REPLACEABLE LIGHT THAT IS PART OF THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. OUT OF WARRANTY AND DEALERS WANT IN EXCESS OF $1,000 TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE LED LIGHT SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL BY MAZDA.
Exterior lighting, Jan 21, 2019
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS NO LONGER WORK. FREQUENT PROBLEM WHEN RESEARCHING WEB
Exterior lighting, Jan 19, 2019
DAYTIME RUNNING HEAD LIGHT IS GOING DIM. THE LEDS ARE FAILING AFTER ONLY A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS.
Exterior lighting, Jan 10, 2019
I AND NUMEROUS CX 5 OWNERS ARE REPORTING DAYTIME LED RUNNING LIGHT FAILUE AT AROUND 35,000 MILES OR 3 YEARS. THIS PROBLEM IS DIFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO DETECT BECAUSE THE LIGHTS ONLY TURN ON WHEN THE VEHILE STARTS TO MOVE. THE PROBLEM CAN ONLY BE FIXED BY REPLACING THE WHOLE LED ASSEMBLY ($1,200) PER HEADLIGHT. THEREFORE, MANY OWNERS WILL SIMPLY DRIVE THERE CARS IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION BECAUSE THEY ARE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM OR CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR.
Exterior lighting, Jan 4, 2019
MY 2 YEAR OLD "TOP OF THE LINE" MAZDA CX-5 AWD GRAND TOURING HAD A FAILURE OF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (PASSENGER SIDE). WHEN I ASKED MY MAZDA DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT THEY SAID "YEAH, WE'VE SEE LOTS OF THOSE PROBLEMS ON YOUR YEAR/MODEL, YOU DEFINITELY NEED TO GET IT FIXED SINCE YOU WILL FAIL YOUR SAFETY CHECK". I ASKED SINCE THIS WAS A "COMMON" SAFETY PROBLEM FOR MY MODEL/YEAR WHY IS THERE NO RECALL FROM MAZDA. MAZDA DEALERSHIP STAFF SHRUGGED AND HANDED ME AN ESTIMATE FOR $1500.00 TO FIX THIS SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM ON MY 2 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. THEY SAID FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA, BUT MAZDA IS NOT PAYING FOR THIS.
Exterior lighting, Jan 2, 2019
PASSENGER SIDE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT HAS BURNED OUT. NO WAY TO GET TO IT AS THE LIGHT IS SEALED. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE AS THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. LED LIGHTS ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST TENS OF THOUSAND OF HOURS, THIS HAS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ACTUAL ELECTRONICS. IN MY RESEARCH THIS SEEMS TO BE A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM, AND CX-5 OWNERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY HUNDREDS (IN SOME CASES THOUSANDS) OF DOLLARS TO FIX A FAULTY/ FLAWED LIGHT.
Exterior lighting, Dec 27, 2018
RUNNING LIGHT ON THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT IS EXTREMELY DIM AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT EVEN COME ON.