2016 Mazda CX-5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
628 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2016 Mazda CX-5, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 100/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 40,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2016 Mazda CX-5 sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2022.
Avoid
Where 2016 sits among all CX-5 years
What owners report
“Vehicle has less than 33,000 miles and the driver-side daytime running light has gone out. This is a safety issue and should not happen with led lights this early in the vehicle's life.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 CX-5
“Grinding and squeaking in rear brake pads and rotors only. Car has 26,000 miles on it with visible marks on rear rotors only! Noise happens while driving or braking”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 CX-5
“Our sunroof exploded while we were driving on the highway. Glass shattered on us and fell while we were driving with a very loud explosive noise.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 CX-5
“1600 miles in, transmission is being replaced by dealer. Shifting into drive, it would take 2-5 seconds to engage. Dealer indicates mazda's solution to problem is to replace entire transmission.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 CX-5
“After two months of ownership the windshield cracked due to a rock strike. The windows was replaced with an oem windshield. Three months later the windshield cracked randomly without any damage (rock etc)”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 CX-5
“High pressure fuel pump failure. Vehicle mileage 30,020. Check engine light illuminated, vehicle would not start. Replacement cost 920.60.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 CX-5
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 396 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 30,020 miles. Half of those reports fall between 10,000 and 46,500 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 CX-5 vehicles. The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may fail while driving.
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Fix: Pilkington will contact the wholesalers and retailers that purchased the windshields to try to identify the affected customers. The affected windshields will be replaced, free of charge. This…
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2016 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 drew 628 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 100/100, scored against the model's worst year (2016).
What are the most common 2016 Mazda CX-5 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2016 Mazda CX-5 are electrical (232 complaints), brakes & stability (76), and other (60).
At what mileage do 2016 Mazda CX-5 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2016 Mazda CX-5 problems around 30,020 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 10,000 and 46,500 miles.
Does the 2016 Mazda CX-5 have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2016 Mazda CX-5. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.