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
510 reports, newest first.
Exterior lighting, Feb 7, 2020
LED RUNNING LIGHTS FLICKERING ONLY 29000 MILES, PAST THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY. REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF$1000+.MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.MAZDA SHOULD EXTEND WARRANTY TO 100,000. NOT SAFE AND TO COSTLY TO REPAIR
Exterior lighting, Jan 27, 2020
THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED. THE PROCESS TO REPAIR THE LIGHTS IS EXORBITANTLY EXPENSIVE AND I BELIEVE WILL DISSUADE CONSUMERS FROM GETTING THEM REPAIRED DUE TO THE HIGH COST. DISSUADING CUSTOMERS FROM GETTING THIS REPAIRED IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. TO REPAIR THE LIGHT BULBS COSTS MORE THAN $1000. THE REPAIR REQUIRES THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT TO BE REPLACED, AND ALSO REQUIRES REMOVING AND REINSTALLING THE FRONT BUMPER ASSEMBLY. THIS IS JUST TO REPLACE A LIGHT! THIS IS A VERY POOR DESIGN AND WILL IMPACT OWNER SAFETY IN MY OPINION.
Exterior lighting, Jan 27, 2020
PASSENGER SIDE DAY TIME RUNNING LED LIGHT STOPPED WORKING JUST AFTER 3 YR WARRANTY EXPIRED. COST TO REPLACE OVER $1000. THERE IS A LOT OF REPORTS OF SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE 2016 MODEL.
Exterior lighting, Jan 26, 2020
AT 76,000 THE DRIVER'S DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. BEFORE IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT I NOTICED IT FLICKERED.
Parking brake, Dec 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE ON THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE PARKING BRAKE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED GARLYN SHELTON MAZDA (5700 SW H K DODGEN LOOP #363, TEMPLE, TX 76504) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Service brakes, Dec 26, 2019
SBS INADVERTENT ACTIVATION WHILE PULLING INTO A CLEAR PARKING STALL
Service brakes, Dec 23, 2019
AT 15K MILES THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE CALIPER FAILED, CAUSING THE BRAKE TO DRAG AND OVERHEAT DURING A 400 MILE HOLIDAY ROADTRIP. BY THE TIME THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED BY THE ELDERLY OWNERS, THE REAR PADS WERE WORN DOWN TO THE BACKING PLATES AND THE ROTORS WERE HEAVILY SCORED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED OR OTHER INDICATION ALERTING THE DRIVER TO THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE REAR CALIPERS AND ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE (EPB) GIVEN THE TSBS THAT MAZDA HAS PUBLISHED ON THE MATTER AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND WITH THE NHTSA. MAZDA REPLACED THE FAILED DRIVER'S SIDE CALIPER UNDER WARRANTY BUT DECLINED TO COVER THE DAMAGED PADS AND ROTOR CAUSED BY THEIR DEFECTIVE ASSEMBLY EVEN AFTER ESCALTING THE ISSUE TO CORPORATE. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BUT MAZDA WOULD RATHER JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMER (BY NOT PROACTIVELY REPLACING THE PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER) AND CHARGE THEM $500 FOR A BRAKE JOB TO CORRECT COLLATERAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS. WE HAVE BEEN LONG-TIME LOYAL CUSTOMERS OF MAZDA BUT THEY HAVE ACTED UNETHICALLY IN THIS INSTANCE AND DID NOT FULFILL THEIR WARRANTY CLAIM IN GOOD FAITH.
Exterior lighting, Dec 16, 2019
MANY COMPLAINTS ON GOOGLE OF FLICKERING DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON HEADLIGHTS THAT ARE A HAZARD AND DISTRACTION TO ONCOMING DRIVERS, MAY CAUSE SEIZURES FOR SOME. MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR 3 YEARS AND MAZDA WILL NOT RESPOND TO THIS OR ACKNOWLEDGE THE NEED FOR THIS RECALL, TO HAVE THIS FIXED IS A MINIMUM OF $1200. LIGHTING IS NECESSARY AND IF IT IS FAULTY, IT BECOMES DANGEROU.S THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED AND MAZDA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPINSIBILITY. TOO MANY VEHICLE OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM.
Exterior lighting, Dec 15, 2019
AT 30,000 MILES, BUT OUT OF WARRANTY THE DRIVER'S DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING AND AT TIMES WAS COMPLETELY OUT. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE ENTIRE LIGHT MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE PART WAS$1000.00. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT FLICKERING OCCURS WHILE DRIVING & WHEN CAR IS PARKED WITH MOTOR RUNNING.
Exterior lighting, Dec 13, 2019
NOTICED PASSENGER SIDE LED HEADLIGHT FLICKERING WHILE STOPPED BEHIND ANOTHER CAR AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. INSPECTED THE LIGHT ONCE I GET HOME AND FOUND THE DAY TIME RUNNING PORTION OF THE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS THE PROBLEM. IT NOW FLICKERS AT ALL TIMES SINCE THIS COMES ONE DURING THE DAY AUTOMATICALLY. SERVICE DEPARTMENT FROM DEALER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED SAID THIS IS NOT COVERED BY MAZDA AND IT WOULD BE OUT POCKET REPAIR ($1,200).
Visibility, Dec 10, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLES MAZDA (6387 AIRPORT PULLING RD N, NAPLES, FL 34109, 239-597-9607) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATER CORE WAS CLOGGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBERS: 10091444 AND SA218, WHICH STATED THAT AN OVERHEATED HEATER CORE WAS DUE TO CLOGGING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THESES CODES INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 124474827. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE HEATER CORE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,870.
Exterior lighting, Dec 8, 2019
THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT ON MY 2016 MAZDA CX-5 GRAND TOURING STARTED FLICKERING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE A FEW WEEKS AGO. I'VE HAD OTHER DRIVERS HONK OR FLASH THEIR LIGHTS AT ME DURING THE DAY (ONCOMING TRAFFIC) MOST CERTAINLY DUE TO THE ANNOYANCE OF THE FLICKERING LED. THIS SEEMS TO POSE A SAFETY HAZARD TO OTHERS AND MYSELF. THE ONLY SOLUTION MAZDA CURRENTLY HAS IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $1,200. I CANNOT AFFORD THIS FIX ESPECIALLY WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE LED LIGHT LIKELY TO FAIL AT ANY TIME BRINGING THE COST TO $2,400. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN TO OTHER DRIVERS ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT HAVE AN ADVERSE REACTION TO THE STROBE-EFFECT NATURE OF THE FLICKERING LIGHT THAT CAN TRIGGER SEIZURES. IT IS ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN TO ME IF I'M LESS VISIBLE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE VIEWED 100'S OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS ONLY APPROPRIATE FOR MAZDA TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS POORLY DESIGNED/MANUFACTURED COMPONENT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 5, 2019
THE LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES OF MY 2016 MAZDA CX-5 HAVE BURNED OUT/STOPPED LIGHTING AFTER 39K MILES AND OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THE REPAIR REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1200 PER ASSEMBLY. ($2400 TOTAL). BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND ONE APPARENTLY KNOWN TO MAZDA, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.
Electrical system, Dec 4, 2019
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2016 MAZDA CX-5 FROM A NON-MAZDA DEALER, HOWEVER AFTER PAYING $21,000 FOR THE VEHICLE I REALIZED THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING! MY BIGGEST SURPRISE WAS WHEN I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM REPAIR IT AND FOUND OUT THE ENTIRE HEADLAMP WOULD NEED REPLACING TO THE TUNE OF $1,100 DOLLARS! TODAY I CALLED MAZDA AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY! IT IS ESPECIALLY DISTRESSING IN THAT SO MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN THE CARS ARE STILL UNDER 30,000 MILES! I HOPE SOMEONE CAN DO SOMETHING, MAZDA SHOULD HELP CUSTOMERS IN THIS WAY, SINCE THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART!
Other or unspecified, Nov 30, 2019
AT ~26,000 MILES MY DRIVER SIDE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE FAILED.
Exterior lighting, Nov 29, 2019
LED DRL HALO STARTED DIM FLICKERING AT 39,000 MILES ON PASSENGER SIDE. BURNT OUT COMPLETELY. A SHORT TIME LATER. A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT SHOULD BE COVERED WITH A FACTORY RECALL. THIS IS MY SECOND CX-5 AND MY EIGHTH OVERALL MAZDA. MY PLAN WAS TO PURCHASE MY 3RD CX-5 IN JAN 2020. AFTER THIS I WILL PROBABLY LOOK AT AT A VEHICLE THAT HAS A 4 YR/50,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY
Exterior lighting, Nov 26, 2019
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT FAILED AT 40K MILES, JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY PERIOD. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND REQUIRED $1200 TO FIX/REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. UNACCEPTABLE TO PAY FOR THE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE FOR LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ONLY FOR THEM TO DIE AT JUST OVER 3 YEARS. WROTE A LETTER TO MAZDA NORTH AMERICA CORPORATE OFFICE 4 MONTHS AGO BUT NO RESPONSE.
Service brakes, Nov 26, 2019
INTERMITTENTLY, THE REAR ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKES DO NOT FULLY RELEASE. THIS CAUSES THE REAR BRAKE PADS TO WEAR ON THE ROTORS. THIS IN TURN RESULTS IN PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR, EXCESSIVE HEAT, AND A BURNING SMELL. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN ALL DIFFERENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Exterior lighting, Nov 22, 2019
THE LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT IN BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAVE FAILED. ON ONE SIDE THE ENTIRE LED STRIP HAS FAILED AND ON THE OTHER SIDE THE LED STRIP IS FLASHING. THIS LENDS ITSELF TO MY CAR BEING LESS VISIBLE: AS WELL AS' BEING A DISTRACTION TO OTHER DRIVERS SEEING THE FLASHING IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THESE PROBLEMS WERE NOT THE RESULT OF ANY INCIDENT, THE LED STRIPS JUST FAILED FROM NORMAL USE IN A MUCH SHORTER SPAN THAN APPROPRIATE.
Suspension, Nov 20, 2019
THERE WAS A THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, AT SLOW SPEEDS ON A DIRT ROAD. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP I WAS TOLD THAT THE BUSHINGS, LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL ON SOME OF THE CARS LIKE MINE, BUT APPARENTLY MINE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. HOWEVER, I DO NOT THINK IT IS A COINCIDENCE TO HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS.
Electrical system, Nov 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND CAUSED SEVERAL SENSORS TO FAIL, INCLUDING THE TIRE AND PARKING BRAKE SENSORS, AS WELL AS THE COMPUTER SETTINGS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE SENSOR FAILURE CAUSED THE REAR BRAKE PADS TO SMOKE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SUSSMAN MAZDA (1606 EASTON ROAD, WILLOW GROVE, PA 19090, (215) 887-1601) WHERE THE DEALER REPLACED ALL THE FAILED SENSORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 17, 2019
DRIVERS SIDE LED HEADLIGHT NOT WORKING AFTER 3 YEARS AND ~25K MILES. I SEE SO MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON ONLINE FORUMS AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE BY MAZDA OVER THIS ISSUE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED VIA A RECALL AND NOT CHARGE CUSTOMERS FOR AN EXPENSIVE FULL HEADLIGHT CONSOLE REPLACEMENT. WHAT IS THE USE OF GETTING A MORE EXPENSIVE TECH PACKAGE FOR THESE LIGHTS AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE WHEN THEY DON'T EVEN WORK FOR 3 YEARS.
Exterior lighting, Nov 14, 2019
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT (LED HALO) ON RIDER'S SIDE FLICKERING. VEHICLE HAS UNDER 50K MILES. HAS AGED OUT OF WARRANTY. ENTIRE UNIT MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST EXCEEDING $1200. A FLICKERING LIGHT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND REDUCES VISIBILITY. CAN ALSO BE SEEN AS A DISTRACTION TO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD.
Exterior lighting, Nov 2, 2019
LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS SYSTEMATICALLY FAIL. DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED AT JUST UNDER 36,000 MILES. PASSENGER SIDE FAILED AT 53,000 MILES. THE FAILURE REQUIRES COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF HEADLIGHT UNIT. COST IS $1100-1200 OR MORE. FLICKERING OR FAILING LIGHTS ARE A DISTRACTION FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LACK OF DRL MAY VIOLATE SOME STATE LAWS.
Exterior lighting, Oct 31, 2019
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT (LED HALO) ON RIDER'S SIDE NO LONGER WORKS. VEHICLE HAS 30098 MILES, BUT HAS AGED OUT OF WARRANTY. ENTIRE UNIT MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST EXCEEDING $1200. WILL NOT PASS STATE SAFETY INSPECTION AS IS.