2016 Mazda CX-5 problems and recalls

Owners have filed 510 complaints on the 2016 Mazda CX-5, and NHTSA has issued 5 recalls. The most cited component is the Exterior Lighting (161 complaints).

510
Complaints
5
Recalls
31
Crash reports
10
Fire reports
13
Injuries
57.2
Severity index

Severity index 57.2 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 57.2p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 89 of 141 by severity index among 2016 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 37% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2016 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 161 complaints (31.6%)161 32%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 71 complaints (13.9%)71 14%Service BrakesService Brakes: 69 complaints (13.5%)69 14%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 57 complaints (11.2%)57 11%Power TrainPower Train: 51 complaints (10.0%)51 10%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 42 complaints (8.2%)42 8%EngineEngine: 39 complaints (7.6%)39 8%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 19 complaints (3.7%)19 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
EXTERIOR LIGHTING16131.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7113.9%
SERVICE BRAKES6913.5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5711.2%
POWER TRAIN5110.0%
VISIBILITY/WIPER428.2%
ENGINE397.6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM193.7%

Complaints filed per year

0601202015: 262016: 502017: 502018: 612019: 1192020: 512021: 392022: 222023: 232024: 272025: 222026: 20 (partial year)151617181911920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201526
201650
201750
201861
2019119
202051
202139
202222
202323
202427
202522
2026 (year to date)20
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (72 against 112).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
16V64400006/09/2016STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATEMazda 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, 20
16V20300011/04/2016STEERINGMazda 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,
16V06400003/02/2016FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAPMazda 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
16E00200019/01/2016VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELDPilkington 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 h
20V06300006/02/2020EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSMazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 CX-5 vehicles. The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may fail while driving.

Other Mazda CX-5 model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 14 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-08-07. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.