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: visibility/wiper
42 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Sep 6, 2016
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH NO IMMEDIATE TRAFFIC IN THE AREA. CRACK OCCURRED DURING MORNING TRANSITION FROM COOL TEMPERATURES TO ABOUT 20 DEGREE WARMER. HEARD A SMALL POP AND THEN SAW THE CRACK GROW UNTIL IT EXTENDED FROM THE FRAME TO ABOUT HALF WAY ACROSS THE PASSENGER SIDE. IF THE THE CRACK WAS CAUSED BY AN IMPACT THE ROCK OR DEBRIS WAS INCREDIBLY SMALL AS THERE IS ONLY A SLIGHT DEPRESSION IN ONE PART OF THE CRACK.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 25, 2016
MY 2016 CX-5 WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF MY WINDSHIELD STARTING AT THE BOTTOM UNDER THE SEAL AND GOING UP AND TO THE LEFT.THERE WAS NO CRACK WHEN I PARKED IT.I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND HAD THE WARRANTY MECHANIC AND A SALESMAN LOOK AT IT,THEY FOUND NOT SIGN OF IMPACT.THEY ADVISED ME TO TAKE TO THE MAZDA DEALER FOR THE FACTORY WARRANTY.I TOOK IT TO THE MAZDA DEALER AND AFTER NUMEROUS GOUGES WITH A FINE POINT PEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CRACK THE SERVICE MANAGER SAYS NO LOOK THERE IS A ROCK CHIP SO IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. I ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS AN AIR BUBBLE IN ANOTHER PART OF THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY DEFECT AND HE SAID THAT IT DIDN'T MATTER BECAUSE THERE WAS A SIGN OF IMPACT NOT ANYWHERE CLOSE TO THE CRACK THE FACTORY WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT
Visibility/wiper, Aug 13, 2016
SECOND TIME WINDSHIELD CRACKED (MORE THAN DOLLAR SIZE) AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT IN LESS THAN SIX MONTHS OF OWNING VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY/PARKED ON DRIVEWAY FIRST TIME AND WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET SECOND TIME. NONE WERE CAUSED BY CAR ACCIDENTS OR OBJECTS,SUCH AS ROCKS, HITTING THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 21, 2016
WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN I HEARD A SUCCESSION OF LOUD POPPING NOISES COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD AREA. AS I WAS ON A DIVIDED INTERSTATE WITH NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OR BESIDE ME, IT WAS A BIT STRANGE THAT I HAD TWO CRACKS APPEAR IN THE CENTER OF MY WINDSHIELD AND ANOTHER ONE RUNNING FROM THE BOTTOM RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD UNDER THE WIPER BLADE. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYONE AROUND BECAUSE IT WAS CLEARLY NOT CAUSED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I PHONED THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO REPORT THE INCIDENT, AS I WAS UNSURE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. A DEPUTY MET ME AT WORK (18 MILES FROM WHERE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED) TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE, THE LATTER OF WHICH NOW STRETCHED ABOUT 4 INCHES PAST THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD, AND TOLD ME THAT THE AREA WHERE I WAS DRIVING HAD BEEN CHECKED IMMEDIATELY BY OFFICERS, THAT THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE AREA, AND THAT NO OTHER COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN REPORTED. EVEN THE OFFICER WAS BAFFLED BY THE UNEXPLAINABLE OCCURRENCE OF THE BREAKS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES EITHER IN FRONT, BEHIND, OR BESIDE ME FOR AS FAR AS I COULD SEE (LONG, FLAT STRETCH OF INTERSTATE, SO VISIBILITY WAS EXCELLENT). THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 16000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 25, 2016
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON A CLEAR DAY WITHOUT ANY INFLUENCE FROM AN OUTSIDE SOURCE, IE: ROCK/DEBRIS, A CRACK FORMED ON PASSENGER SIDE OF MY FRONT WINDSHIELD. IT ORIGINATED FROM THE VERY BOTTOM/BASE OF WINDSHIELD AND IS CURRENTLY ABOUT 20" LONG - ALMOST TO EXACT MIDDLE OF WINDOW. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON IT. IT IS A 2016.5 YEAR. I TOOK DELIVERY OF CAR ON FEB. 13.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 16, 2016
ONLY GOT MY CAR FOR A MONTH :( AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY NOTICE THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED STARTED FROM THE TOP MIDDLE WHERE THE RARE MIRROR IS. THE CRACK IS NOW LONGER AND LONGER DAY BY DAY. MAYBE GOT HIT BY A TINY TINY LITTLE ROCK BUT THE DOT OF THE HIT WAS SO SMALL THAT IT COULD HARDLY BE SEEN. I BELIEVE THAT IT'S CHEAP WINDSHIELD THAT MAZDA IS USING. ALL THE BS HOW SAFETY THIS CAR IS......
Visibility/wiper, Feb 16, 2016
I'VE ONLY HAD MY MAZDA FOR 2 MONTHS AND NOTICED A CRACK ORIGINATING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT OCCURRED AFTER A HOT DAY COUPLED WITH A COLD NIGHT SO I SUSPECT THERE WAS A SMALL CRACK THAT HAPPENED WHEN I LEASED THE CAR AND IT GREW DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS. I'VE READ THAT THERE ARE TONS OF SIMILAR INCIDENCES WITH THIS VEHICLE AND ITS CONCERNING (ESPECIALLY SINCE THE REPLACEMENT IS $1,000).
Visibility/wiper, Feb 16, 2016
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE 25 F OR LOWER AND IT IS SNOWING OR RAINING IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR OF ICE. WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS 25 TO 50 MPH ON LOCAL ROADS AND HIGHWAYS, THE SNOW WOULD MELT ON CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD, REFREEZE, AND THE WIPERS WOULD FREEZE SOLID AND NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD OVER THE MAJORITY OF THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD TO STOP EVERY SEVERAL MINUTES AND USE A SCRAPER TO REMOVE THE WINDSHIELD ICE TO SEE SAFELY. THIS CONDITION MAKES FOR VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS WINTER PRECIPITATION DRIVING. THE ONLY CHANCE OF OF GETTING MINIMAL VIEWING AREA WAS TO KEEP THE FUNCTION SELECTOR ON FULL DEFROST, THE TEMPERATURE SELECTOR ON FULL HEAT AND THE FAN ON HIGH. THIS WAS STILL A LOSING BATTLE AND EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAN NOISE IS INCREDIBLY LOUD, THE WIPERS ARE LOADED WITH ICE AND THUMPING ON THE WINDSHIELD AND YOUR FACE GETS RIDICULOUSLY HOT BECAUSE ON THE DEFROST FUNCTION MORE AIR IS DIRECTED BACK AT THE SIDE WINDOWS THAN IS DIRECTED AT THE WINDSHIELD. WHAT AN EXTREMELY POOR DESIGN AND FUNCTION OF A BASIC DEFROST SYSTEM. EVEN DURING COLD WEATHER WITH NO PRECIPITATION THE POOR FUNCTION OF THE DEFROST SYSTEM CANNOT KEEP THE WINDSHIELD FREE OF FOGGING OVER UNLESS THE SELECTORS ARE SET ON FULL FAN, HEAT AND DEFROST. NOW WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH A CAR THAT SHOULD BE A GREAT, SAFE ALL WHEEL DRIVE, ALL WEATHER VEHICLE IN NEW ENGLAND THAT CAN'T HANDLE DEFROSTING THE WINDSHIELD DURING OUR WINTERS.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 28, 2016
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE 25 F OR LOWER AND IT IS SNOWING, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR OF ICE. WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS 25 TO 50 MPH ON LOCAL ROADS AND HIGHWAYS, THE SNOW WOULD MELT ON CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD, REFREEZE, AND THE WIPERS WOULD FREEZE SOLID AND NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD OVER A LARGE PART OF THE GLASS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER'S EYES. NO CHANGE WAS NOTED WHEN THE CAR WAS IDLING AT STOP SIGNS OR RED LIGHTS. WE HAD TO STOP EVERY SEVERAL MINUTES AND USE A SCRAPER TO REMOVE THE WINDSHIELD ICE TO SEE SAFELY. THIS CONDITION MAKES FOR VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS WINTER PRECIPITATION DRIVING. IRONICALLY, WE BOUGHT THIS ALL-WHEEL VEHICLE MAINLY FOR JUST THIS TYPE OF DRIVING IN SNOWY MOUNTAIN AREAS WHERE WE DRIVE FREQUENTLY. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INSPECTED UNDER WARRANTY. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE DEFROSTER AND WIPERS AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS WORKING PROPERLY AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AS THE CARE DOES NOT PREFORM UNDER THE EXACT WINTER CONDITIONS WE PRIMARILY BOUGHT IT FOR.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 12, 2016
CAR HAD A TOTAL OF 145 MILES, ONLY DRIVEN 4 DAYS SINCE NEW AND THERE IS A LARGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD, ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE STARTING AT THE VERY TOP AND EXTENDING DOWN PAST THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND CURVED TOWARD THE CENTER. NO ROCK HIT OR CHIPS CAUSED THIS.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 9, 2016
I HAVE A NEW 2016 MAZDA CX 5 GRAND TOURING. I AM ABOUT TO HAVE TO GET MY WINDSHIELD REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME DUE TO IT CRACKING. THE FIRST OCCURANCE HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I HEARD A "CRACK" AND LOOKED OVER AND NOTICED A SHATTER LIKE CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THE SIZE OF A SILVER DOLLAR THAT QUICKLY CRACKED OUT TO THE MIDDLE OF MY WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS ON BACK ORDER DUE TO NONE BEING IN STOCK. I HAD TO DRIVE AROUND FOR 2.5 MONTHS WITH A CRACKED WINDSHIELD UNTIL ONE FINALLY BECAME AVAILABLE. THE SECOND TIME IT OCCURRED WAS ABOUT THREE DAYS AGO. I HAD JUST PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AND WENT INSIDE FOR A FEW MINUTES AND CAME BACK OUT TO GRAB SOME THINGS AND NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ON THE BRAND NEW WINDSHIELD I HAD JUST PAID TO GET REPLACED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. THERE IS A SMALL CHIP IN THE GLASS, HOWEVER, I FEEL LIKE IF A ROCK OR SOMETHING DID HIT MY WINDSHIELD, THE GLASS SHOULD NOT CRACK THAT EASILY. I HAVE OWNED PREVIOUS VEHICLES WHERE ROCKS HAVE HIT THE WINDSHIELD WITH NO ISSUES AT ALL. I HAVE READ THAT MANY OTHER CX5 OWNERS HAVE HAD WINDSHIELD ISSUES AS WELL WHICH MAKES ME THINK THERE MUST BE SOME TYPE OF MANUFACTURE DEFECT. IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE WINDSHIELD IS THE ONLY FRONT PROTECTION BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND THE ROAD.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 2, 2016
ON 2 JANUARY 2016, WHILE TRAVELLING NORTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 880, AT APPROXIMATELY 3 PM, APPROACHING THE HEGENBERGER EXIT. I HEARD A A "CRACK SOUND", FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER "CRACK SOUND", AT WHICH TIME THE CRACK BECAME VISIBLE. GLASS CRACK EMANATING FROM PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD EDGE TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE, APPROXIMATELY 14 INCHES IN LENGTH.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 17, 2015
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?
Visibility/wiper, Aug 30, 2015
AFTER ONE MONTH OF OWNERSHIP, A CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE TOP, CENTER. THE CRACK EXTENDED DOWN TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD CREATING A LARGE OBLONG OVAL. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF BEING HIT BY ROAD DEBRIS. THE MAZDA SERVICE CENTER CONFIRMED THIS AND DECLARED IT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. IT HAS BEEN OVER 5 WEEKS AND I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD TO ARRIVE. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO BE RAMPANT ENOUGH THAT NEW WINDSHIELDS ARE BACK ORDERED WITH NO INDICATION OF WHEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 29, 2015
THE CAR WAS PARKED OVER THE WEEKEND IN A VERY SECLUDED COUNTY LOCATION (NO OTHER PEOPLE AROUND). I NOTICED A LARGE CRACK IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TWO DAYS LATER WHEN I NEXT USED THE CAR. THERE ARE NO VISIBLE CHIPS ON THE GLASS. THE CRACK SPREAD OUTWARD FROM WHERE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS ATTACHED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A FACTORY INSTALLATION OR DEFECTIVE PART ISSUE.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 25, 2015
THE WINDSHIELD EASILY CHIPS AND CRACKS. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND MAZDA SEEMS TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR DIES.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 15, 2015
GLASS CRACKED FROM TOP, MIDDLE PORTION OF WINDSHIELD GLASS, NO APPARENT SIGN OF ROCK CHIP. SPREAD IMMEDIATELY INTO VIEWING AREA. CONCERN FOR OVERALL SAFETY AND INTEGRITY OF GLASS. ADVISED BY DEALER TO CONTACT INSURANCE, ADVISED BY INSURANCE IT'S A $500 DEDUCTIBLE. ONLINE RESEARCH HAS LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AS IT HAS HIGH NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS.