Problems · NHTSA complaints
2016 Mazda CX-5 problems
Owners filed 512 complaints about the 2016 Mazda CX-5 with NHTSA between Jun 2015 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is exterior lighting (161).
Complaints
512
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
31
Reported by owners
Fires
10
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Exterior lighting161
- Electrical system72
- Service brakes66
- Power train51
- Visibility/wiper43
- Engine39
- Fuel/propulsion system19
- Air bags19
- Structure19
- Seats17
- Vehicle speed control13
- Suspension11
- Steering7
- Parking brake7
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
26
50
50
61
119
51
39
22
23
27
22
22
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 26 |
| 2016 | 50 |
| 2017 | 50 |
| 2018 | 61 |
| 2019 | 119 |
| 2020 | 51 |
| 2021 | 39 |
| 2022 | 22 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2024 | 27 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 22 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Exterior lighting
161 reports1 related recall
“Mazda issued a safety recall (Mazda safety recall 4320A, NHTSA campaign number 20V-063) to address daytime running light flickering/failure. At the time, only the passenger side daytime running light was replaced under the recall by Mazda, with a gasket/gas absorption sheet being installed on the driver's side. The driver's side daytime running light is now flickering/dim. Mazda did not repair the safety defect properly on the driver's side for the daytime running lights under Mazda safety recall 4320A, NHTSA campaign number 20V-063, because Mazda only installed the gasket/gas absorption sheets that have since failed, causing the daytime running lights to flicker, increasing the risk of crash. Mazda has refused to cover the cost for replacement of the daytime running lights per safety recall notice 4320A / NHTSA 20V-063, even though replacement of these lights is covered by the recall. Both a Mazda dealer and Mazda corporate customer service have been contacted regarding this issue and both have refused to provide the remedy as outlined in the safety recall. Mazda has provided an estimate of $1,466 to replace the daytime running lights. Attached Documents:…”
Electrical system
72 reports4 crashes5 fires
“My windshield wipers stopped working completely. I am unable to see out my front window properly while its raining. Yes the dealership said that my front body control module needs to be replaced which is the same issue that other Mazdas from the same era have had safety recalls for (nhtsa campaign 19v272000). No it hasn't been inspected by anyone other than a Mazda dealership. The front wipers slowly stopped working. First the highest setting didn't work at all, then the wipers would work sporadically, and now they don't work at all.”
Service brakes
66 reports6 crashes
“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.”
Power train
51 reports5 crashes
“Any time the vehicle has been sitting with the engine off and has been given enough time to “cool down”, upon starting the vehicle and switching from PARK to DRIVE, the vehicle will violently lurch forward while attempting to reach 2nd gear. This is dangerous behavior that is not normal for any vehicle. There is clearly something wrong with either the transmission or the way the software communicates with the transmission. When the engine is within normal temperature it doesn’t display this dangerous behavior. A similar TSB was issued for the 2nd generation of CX5s but not for this generation of CX5s”
Visibility/wiper
43 reports
“(I am the owner of the car and am filling this out for my daughter who was driving it at the time, I was not with her during the incident) While driving down the road in the rain the wipers just stopped working. I have not had any dealers ID the specific problem yet. We replaced the wiper 20amp fuse and it did not fix the problem. There were no warning lamps and there are still no warning lamps. My safety was put into danger when I could not see out the window. I was nearly at work so I waited for the rain to slow down some was able to make it to work. The rain cleared while I was at work and it has not rained since. It is available for inspection upon request.”
Engine
39 reports6 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic diagnosed with a sensor failure and needing to replace a catalytic converter. The oxygen sensors were repalced.r was replaced by an independent mechanic. The vehicle stalled while reversing. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 131,860.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.