One of the worst CX-5 years
Owners filed about 2.6 times as many complaints as a typical CX-5 year. The main thing to watch is the lights, wipers and visibility, which half of owners reported by about 38,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2015 and 2020.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other CX-5 years from 2013 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 512 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mazda CX-5. The most reported problem area is the lights, wipers and visibility (208, 41% of complaints), followed by the brakes and stability control and the electrical system. That is the most complaints of any CX-5 year from 2013 to 2024. It has 5 recalls.
7 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2016 Mazda CX-5 before you buy.
Lights, wipers and visibility
208 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 38,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
(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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
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…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Brakes and stability control
73 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 28,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
my brake light and my emergency brake light stays on and they blink constantly while the engine is turned on. they have been like that for at least a year. both my brakes and the emergency brake both work but I cant get the lights to go out.Owner complaint, filed 2025
from my service mechanic... "Rear brakes at 8mm/8mm on the right side, but 4mm/6mm on the left. These brakes were replaced 1500 miles ago and should not be showing this kind of wear. Examined brake pads, found evidence of overheating. Scanned vehicle, confirmed no codes from Electronic Parking Brake. Actuated parking brake and confirmed…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Electrical system
72 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 35,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 91,000 miles
We had another CX-5 in the back that we used to test whether or not it was either the throttle body or the BCM ( Body Control Module ) or the PCM ( Power Control Module ) not working that is causing your vehicle to not wanting to turn on The throttle body passed we transferred it over from vehicle A ( Being the donor ) to vehicle B…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Transmission and drivetrain
51 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 5,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
About a month ago, started hearing a whining noise from the automatic transaxle when driving at different speeds. The more speed, the more noise you hear inside the vehicle. It occurs with all types of driving, acceleration, deceleration and steady speed. Took my Mazda CX-5 into auto experts and found there is a Service Bulletin…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Engine and cooling
39 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 28,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 131,860 miles
Vehicle was taken to an authorized Mazda dealership for 60,000-mile service; coolant system drained and refilled. Immediately after service, check engine light illuminated (P011A, engine coolant temperature sensor correlation issue). Dealership retained vehicle, drove ~300 miles, performed a second coolant flush; issue persisted. Dealer…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Fuel system
20 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 33,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
High pressure fuel pump has been replaced twice in less than a year. Car has less than 100,000 miles. Both times the fuel pump went out while driving, causing loss of acceleration and stalling of vehicle. Had to be towed to shop both times.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The contact stated she was able to drive the vehicle to a safe area before the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 66,000 miles
Seats and seat belts
20 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 27,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
I own a 2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring and discovered two brown, burn-like marks on the lower seatback of a heated front seat. I suspect the seat heater overheated and damaged the upholstery. The discoloration is concentrated in the lower back/lumbar area, and I have photographs documenting it. I am concerned that continued use could…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Leather heated seats .. safety put at risks because I suffered burns on my bottom (butt) from the driver seat getting too hot to the point where it burned the seat itself as well , and made a brown burn mark on the seat … Both of my cheeks got burned .. this can in the long run cause skin damage and worse case scenario cancer. No it…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Body, doors and structure
20 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 10,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (18).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The driver's door on my 2016 mazda cx-5 has a malfunctioning sensor that sometimes indicates the door is closed even when it is open. Since the door could be unlatched without an audible chime sounding, it's possible that an owner could be unaware they are driving with the door open. Thus, this vehicle fails to conform to federal motor…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 23,000 miles
Hatch lift supports were replace under warranty on 6/5/17 and have failed again talked to dealer and mazda on 11/26/18 they will not replace them.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 33,000 miles
Air bags
19 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 44,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
Airbag light is flashing. Independent shop found code B00C1:93-8B. OCS Sensor B. Shop sent owner to dealer for inspection & repair. Charged $57.24. Dealer found DTC B00C1 passenger seat occupant classification sensor b. Replacement cost for the part $1,110.13, plus shop fess and tax for a total repair cost of this critical safety item…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The airbag warning light is on. I’m concerned the airbag may not deploy in an accident. There was a recall on the airbag, but the dealership only reset the light and did not replace the airbag. I have taken my car to two different Mazda dealerships: One told me I would have to pay for the airbag replacement. The other said the airbag is…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Cruise control and acceleration
13 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 18,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
11/19/2023 - About 8 pm. on November 17, 2023, I was parking at my condo parking lot and slowly drove the car into the parking space when all of a sudden the car accelerated on its own. I immediately pressed on the brake pedal and it stopped. I felt fortunate that nobody was on the sidewalk. The same thing happened about a month ago but…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Sudden acceleration turning left pulling into a parking spot. Foot on brake/off of accelerator, cruise control off, slowly pulling in. [VIN] enough to jump curb onto sidewalk. Able to break just about three feet short of brick building. Car at dealership for several days. Technicians unable to recreate or discover problem.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 44,229 miles
Suspension
11 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Steering
7 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while reversing the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal loud clanking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed with the bolt torque needing to be replaced. The vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 38,000 miles
I was slowly turning left into an alley when I heard a loud noise, the front of my car dropped, and the car immediately stopped and was immovable. Upon getting out of the car, it appears some joint separated from the wheel.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Wheels and tires
5 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 mazda cx5 grand touring. The vehicle has toyo a23 tire size 225 55r 19. The contact stated that while washing the vehicle, she had noticed several cracks in the thread on the sidewall of each tire. She also stated that the problem was more severe on both front driver and rear passenger tires. She had initially…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 33,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 mazda cx5. The contact stated that while attempting to inflate the tire on the vehicle, the valve stem fractured. The valve stem was replaced however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to world car mazda north (12115 interstate 35 north bldg. 2, san antonio, tx 78233) where the repair was pending. The…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 68,000 miles
Driver assist systems
4 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
My screen begins to change the display without me touching it. It has interrupted my GPS directions, causing me to get lost. It has gotten worse over time, now causing my back up camera to either not display at all or become partially blocked by another application randomly starting on the screen. My emergency brake lights flash on my…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The info uni in the car constantly resets itself. It happens when GPS is activated, parking, listening to directions, pretty much at all time especially in crucial moments. Nav center doesn't even load at times, this causes unknown information of speed limits and streets.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Mazda CX-5 complaints by year
Compare the 2016 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2016 compact SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Mazda CX-5 | Among the worst years | 5 |
| 2016 Toyota RAV4 | About average | 3 |
| 2016 Honda CR-V | About average | 3 |
| 2016 Subaru Forester | About average | 3 |
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.
Full recall 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.
Full recall 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.
Full recall 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.
Full recall 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."
Windows, mirrors and wipers Windshield
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Pilkington will contact the wholesalers and retailers that purchased the windshields to try to identify the affected customers.
Full recall summary
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.
2016 Mazda CX-5 questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mazda CX-5?
The most reported problem areas on the 2016 Mazda CX-5 are the lights, wipers and visibility (208 complaints), the brakes and stability control (73 complaints) and the electrical system (72 complaints).
Is the 2016 Mazda CX-5 a good year to buy?
One of the worst CX-5 years. Owners filed about 2.6 times as many complaints as a typical CX-5 year. The main thing to watch is the lights, wipers and visibility, which half of owners reported by about 38,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2015 and 2020. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other CX-5 years from 2013 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2016 Mazda CX-5 have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Mazda CX-5. The most recent, from Feb 2020, covers the headlights. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2016 Mazda CX-5 problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the lights, wipers and visibility gave a mileage of about 38,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the brakes and stability control gave a mileage of about 28,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Mazda CX-5 years should I avoid?
The CX-5 years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2016. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2015 and 2020. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2016 Mazda CX-5?
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