CSR

Mazda · NHTSA safety record

2016 Mazda CX-5

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

510

Complaints

31

Crashes

10

Fires

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2016 Mazda CX-5 have filed 510 safety complaints with NHTSA between June 2015 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the exterior lighting, named in 161 of them (32%). The typical failure was reported at 30,939 miles, the median across the 335 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 4 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (4)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

20V063000 · February 6, 2020

The defect
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 CX-5 vehicles. The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may fail while driving.
The risk
If the DRL fails, the vehicle's visibility may be reduced to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 36,761 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

16V644000 · September 6, 2016

The defect
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.
The risk
If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
The 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.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 580,455 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING

16V203000 · April 11, 2016

The defect
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.
The risk
If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 578 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

16V064000 · February 3, 2016

The defect
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."
The risk
A rupture of the fuel filler pipe may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The 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.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 268,799 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 510.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 161 32%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 71 14%
SERVICE BRAKES 66 13%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 57 11%
POWER TRAIN 51 10%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 42 8%
ENGINE 39 8%
AIR BAGS 19 4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 19 4%
STRUCTURE 19 4%
SEATS 16 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 13 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 119.

2015 2019 2026
2015 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · fire

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HEATING SYSTEM CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH THE FABRIC AND MY DOG'S SEAT. THE FUMES MADE ME AND MY DOG NAUSEOUS.I HAD TO SWERVE ACROSS THE HIGHWAY AND STOP ON THE SHOULDER TO EXTINGUISH THE SEAT FIRE/BURN. THE FUSE WAS PULLED FOR SAFETY. THE SEAT IS IN STORAGE FOR INSPECTION. MAZDA WILL BE CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint 11697961. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · towed · 2,751 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND INCREASED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A SMALL TREE AND THEN CRASHED INTO ANOTHER TREE, WHICH HELPED STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MUSCLE, NECK, AND BACK PAIN. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,751.

NHTSA complaint 10990519. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 injured · crash · towed · 28,000 miles

TL* 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 SUSTAINED INJURES TO THE CHEST AND ARMS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY GARAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

NHTSA complaint 10993145. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 7,600 miles

2 INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO PARKING SPACES FIRST ON 5/18/17 AND SECOND ON 12/15/17. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THE FIRST TIME BUT NOT THE SECOND TIME. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS ORDERING AN ENGINEER INVESTIGATE SINCE IT OCCURRED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS

NHTSA complaint 11058617. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
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 repairing it was not an option - the vehicle had failed mandatory State of Maine inspection (a safety thing, if I'm not mistaken). This should be a Mazda problem, not a me problem. I contacted Mazda USA about this issue

NHTSA complaint 11754891, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
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 repairing it was not an option - the vehicle had failed mandatory State of Maine inspection (a safety thing, if I'm not mistaken). This should be a Mazda problem, not a me problem. I contacted Mazda USA about this issue

NHTSA complaint 11754892, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

84,000 miles

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 repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

NHTSA complaint 11753843. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 startup screen, making navigation, hands-free phone functions, and system settings inaccessible. These repeated reboots occur while the vehicle is in motion and are distracting to the driver. The flashing and rebooting screen

NHTSA complaint 11745804, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

91,000 miles

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 failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

NHTSA complaint 11744529. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 me a loaner had it for 10 days. Couldn’t find any problems. Then in 4/2025 it completely died at my home I called Mazda they were able to jump the battery and had it for a month. Couldn’t find any problem. And now we are

NHTSA complaint 11741365, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Mazda CX-5

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2024 41 0
2023 59 0
2022 62 0
2021 143 0
2020 106 0
2019 265 2
2018 347 3
2017 148 1
2015 133 3
2014 377 3
2013 194 1

Other 2016 Mazda models

Every Mazda on this site — 81 vehicles, 161 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst