KnownCarProblems2016 Mazda CX-5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 510 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mazda CX-5, most often about the lights (32% of complaints, typically around 40,000 miles). It is the most complained-about CX-5 model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2016 Mazda CX-5 problems
Lights
161 complaints · 32%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
Failure of LED drl (daytime running light) on passenger (right) side. Non replaceable bulb. Requires removal of front bumper cover and replacement of complete headlight module for excess of $1000. Mazda was previously replacing under a silent warranty.
Both front LED headlight assemblies seem to be totally unreliable after ~35k to 40k miles and customers are unlikely to quickly replace something that costs $1200 each time. Mazda agreed to fix one but when the second one went bad around 40k (our kid noticed while we were pulling in into the garage at night) they said…
Brakes
72 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 28,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
Started car in driveway 2/10/19, 4 pm 'engine sounded like timing was obviously abnormal. Random automatic braking noted when car in motion, within one block of leaving driveway. Immediate inability to accelerate beyond 10-12 MPH experienced. Error messages then observed on car dashboard warning sectors: check engine…
Vehicle has only 29,370 miles driven. The right rear brake lining has undue wear at 3 mm. The left rear brake lining measures 5-6 mm. During routine servicing the Mazda technician discovered abnormal brake wear. Mazda dealership recommends replacement of both rear calipers. Mazda corporation is unwilling to help. It…
Electrical
71 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles.
First occurred on 9/29/2017 and more often after 2/3/18 battery drains, no start have had the vehicle battery jumped 5-6 times, replaced battery same occurrences, have taken battery to be charged twice. Further inspection a week later on battery and a draw test 1, came back good. Couple of weeks battery had drained…
Ebrake would not disengage on the Mazda CX-5 2016 gt with city brake and electronic e-brake at 36,100 miles during various parking locations scenarios. Vehicle would start normally at push of start button but the e-brake light would stay on in the flashing mode. Turn engine off/restarting would resolve the problem…
Other or unspecified
57 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 13,000 miles.
A stone from a weed-eater hit my windshield as I was driving (~25 MPH) and within 5 miles the crack was already 18 inches. In searching online I noticed a lot of owners mentioned windshield problems and how thin the windshield is. I would have expected a slight chip but not the crack. The temperature was mid 70's.
Liftgate problems, sometimes the liftgate will not open no matter how I try to open it. Other times it opens and jerks up or slams shut. When this happens the vehicle is in park. It happens when its running and it happens when the vehicle is not running. This has been happening over the course of the last 3 years. It…
Transmission
51 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 5,500 miles. Parts named most often: driveline.
Put car into reverse and all was fine. When I tried to put it into drive it wouldn't engage in drive. After a while it engaged with a hard clunk. When I drove it and would try to accelerate it was the same thing. As if the car was not shifting. This happened on both neighborhood streets and on the highway.
I purchased my car on sept 10, 2015. I currently have 6,300 miles on my vehicle. When at a stop light and I step on the gas to go, the car does not move and just revs very loudly. After a few seconds, the car accelerates and the car jerks pretty violently (to the point where my head hits the back of the head rest).…
Visibility and wipers
47 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 6,500 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, glass, side/rear, defroster/defogger/hvac system.
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…
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.
Engine
39 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. While the vehicle was at a complete stop, the engine revved. The contact's vehicle independently surged forward and crashed into the preceding vehicle. The contact's vehicle continued to surge and crashed into a pole. The driver and passenger frontal air bags deployed. The contact…
Started car in driveway 2/10/19, 4 pm 'engine sounded like timing was obviously abnormal. Random automatic braking noted when car in motion, within one block of leaving driveway. Immediate inability to accelerate beyond 10-12 MPH experienced. Error messages then observed on car dashboard warning sectors: check engine…
Fuel system
20 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 32,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
Fuel filler pipe melted causing extensive fire and damage. I haven't had use of my vehicle since 5/14/19. Mazda is award and doesn't care. No accident involved just happened. Lost my job because of no vehicle and am behind on all payments . Car was traveling on express way when happened. Please call mechanic at excel…
High pressure fuel pump failure. Vehicle mileage 30,020. Check engine light illuminated, vehicle would not start. Replacement cost 920.60.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Mazda CX-5 recalls
Lights: headlights
Risk: If the drl fails, the vehicle's visibility may be reduced to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Mazda north american operations (mazda) is recalling certain 2016 cx-5 vehicles. The LED daytime running lights (drl) may fail while driving.
Body and structure: hatchback/liftgate
Risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering
Risk: If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: filler pipe and cap
Risk: A rupture of the fuel filler pipe may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2016 Mazda CX-5
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mazda CX-5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: lights (161 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles); brakes (72 complaints, typically around 28,500 miles); electrical (71 complaints, typically around 35,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Mazda CX-5 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 6, 2020 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Mazda CX-5?
- It is the most complained-about CX-5 model year since 2000, with 510 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.