2016 Mazda CX-5 Problems & Owner Complaints

Exterior Lighting 161

“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 shee…”
NHTSA complaint #11681765, 2025

“Only one headlight was addressed by dealer in repair for 4320A | NHTSA #20V-063 and they're refusing to cover the other side. The other DRL led light is now out from seemingly the same cause. They stated they did not fully follow the procedure in the documents I found regarding this recall when they repaired the first one because they "pre authorized" the swap of one side on "good faith" so there is not a record I can cite around the serial or lot numbers of the new or old lights on my own.”
NHTSA complaint #11676964, 2025

“The controls on the Windshield Wiper/Headlight Control Stalk are not visible when driving at night. The setting markings on the Control Stalk are completely dark at night. This creates a safety hazard when driving at night in the rain and turning on your windshield wipers or changing your headlight settings is needed.”
NHTSA complaint #11619012, 2024

Electrical System 71 4 crash 5 fire 3 injury

“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, 2025 · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“PARKED MY CAR. OPEN UP DRIVERS DOOR , RADIO AND DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. STANDING ON DRIVEWAY NOW PUSH BUTTON TO TURN OFF RADIO AND DASH. EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON. DID IT THREE TIMES AND ON THE THIRD TIME VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. HAD TO CURLY ON THE FLOOR BARD AND DOOR WIDE OPEN. VEHICLE GAINING SPEED, ENGINE OFF, LOOK AT GEAR SHIFT SAYING IT'S IN PARK STILL. I HAD TO JUMP OUT OF VEHICLE BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. NEIGHBOR CAME TO HELP ME OUT AND CALLED 911 WHO SENT AN AMBULANCE AND POLICE. PARAMEDICS ATTENDED TO MY NEEDS AND RUSHED ME TO THE HOSPITAL. POLICE ASK THE NEIGHBORS…”
NHTSA complaint #10954940, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“Parked by the curb at the Ft. Lauderdale International Airport. I put the car in Park and left the car idling with the air-conditioning running.as it was 95 degrees and about 100 at around 8:00 AM. There was a shuttle van parked by the curb about 11 feet in front of me. I had to exit my car to talk to the driver in the car behind me. I walked to the car behind me and started talking to the driver. I glanced back at my Mazda CX5 and it started rolling forward. I ran up to the car and got the door open and stepped on the brake. The brakes did not engage. I repeated stepping on the brake s…”
NHTSA complaint #11478992, 2017 · 1 injury(ies)

Service Brakes 69 6 crash 1 fire 2 injury

“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, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“Parked by the curb at the Ft. Lauderdale International Airport. I put the car in Park and left the car idling with the air-conditioning running.as it was 95 degrees and about 100 at around 8:00 AM. There was a shuttle van parked by the curb about 11 feet in front of me. I had to exit my car to talk to the driver in the car behind me. I walked to the car behind me and started talking to the driver. I glanced back at my Mazda CX5 and it started rolling forward. I ran up to the car and got the door open and stepped on the brake. The brakes did not engage. I repeated stepping on the brake s…”
NHTSA complaint #11478992, 2017 · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE EMERGENCY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND BEEPED. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR AND OBSERVED SMOKE FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (MAZDA OF OLYMPIA, 2201 CARRIAGE ST SW, OLYMPIA, WA 98502) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CALIPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11030556, 2017 · fire

Unknown Or Other 57 5 crash

“UNKNOWN Slowly driving into garage when suddenly the engine revved up loudly and unattended accelerated forward, causing extensive damage to front of car, a piece of furniture and garage wall”
NHTSA complaint #11694143, 2025 · crash

“KEYLESS IGNITION -- THE PANIC BUTTON WENT OFF INADVENTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND THE SOUND SYSTEM WENT OFF AND THE CAR STOPPED WORKING. THE KEYLESS IGNITION WAS LOCATED IN THE CUP HOLDER. iT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND CALLED AAA.”
NHTSA complaint #11479001, 2022 · crash

“I WAS STOPPED BUT DID NOT HAVE THE CAR IN PARK WHEN VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AT HIGH SPEED. I WAS IN A DRIVEWAY AND HIT SOMEONE'S GARAGE.”
NHTSA complaint #11164998, 2019 · crash

Power Train 51 5 crash 2 injury

“PARKED MY CAR. OPEN UP DRIVERS DOOR , RADIO AND DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. STANDING ON DRIVEWAY NOW PUSH BUTTON TO TURN OFF RADIO AND DASH. EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON. DID IT THREE TIMES AND ON THE THIRD TIME VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. HAD TO CURLY ON THE FLOOR BARD AND DOOR WIDE OPEN. VEHICLE GAINING SPEED, ENGINE OFF, LOOK AT GEAR SHIFT SAYING IT'S IN PARK STILL. I HAD TO JUMP OUT OF VEHICLE BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. NEIGHBOR CAME TO HELP ME OUT AND CALLED 911 WHO SENT AN AMBULANCE AND POLICE. PARAMEDICS ATTENDED TO MY NEEDS AND RUSHED ME TO THE HOSPITAL. POLICE ASK THE NEIGHBORS…”
NHTSA complaint #10954940, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“Parked by the curb at the Ft. Lauderdale International Airport. I put the car in Park and left the car idling with the air-conditioning running.as it was 95 degrees and about 100 at around 8:00 AM. There was a shuttle van parked by the curb about 11 feet in front of me. I had to exit my car to talk to the driver in the car behind me. I walked to the car behind me and started talking to the driver. I glanced back at my Mazda CX5 and it started rolling forward. I ran up to the car and got the door open and stepped on the brake. The brakes did not engage. I repeated stepping on the brake s…”
NHTSA complaint #11478992, 2017 · 1 injury(ies)

“I was driving on a city street and slowed to turn right onto a driveway at at a private residence. As my car entered the driveway and near the end of the right turn, my car had a sudden unintended uncontrolled acceleration, continued the turn, went over a low hedge of shrubs on the right side of the driveway, continued down a short rocky incline, and landed on a large rock where the car stopped.”
NHTSA complaint #11634639, 2024 · crash

Visibility/Wiper 42

“(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 wo…”
NHTSA complaint #11740504, 2026

“Front windshield wipers stopped working, front windshield washer still working. Fuse was checked, fuse is good.Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety is put at risk because of lack of visibility when driving in rain. The problem has been confirmed by a Mazda dealership. The vehicle and the components have been inspected by a Mazda dealership. No warning lights or messages appeared before or after the front windshield wipers stopped working. So if a person is driving the car, there is no indication that the front windshield wipers will not work if it starts raining and the…”
NHTSA complaint #11622026, 2024

“The controls on the Windshield Wiper/Headlight Control Stalk are not visible when driving at night. The setting markings on the Control Stalk are completely dark at night. This creates a safety hazard when driving at night in the rain and turning on your windshield wipers or changing your headlight settings is needed.”
NHTSA complaint #11619012, 2024

Engine 39 6 crash 2 fire 2 injury

“I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT NATURAL GROCERS. WHEN THE CAR WAS GOING 2-3 MPH INTO THE SPACE GETTING READY I THOUGHT TO STOP, THE ENGINE REVVED UP LIKE A JET ENGINE. THE CAR THEN JUMPED A CONCRETE SIDE WALK, HIT THE BRICK BUILDING, AND BROKE A GAS LINE. THE CAR THEN CAME TO REST BACK IN THE PARKING SPOT. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, MY FIRST REACTION WAS "WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED". A MAN WALKING OUT OF A STORE HEARD THE HISS OF THE GAS LINE AND THEN CALLED 911. HE CAME TO THE CAR AND TOLD ME TO MOVE AWAY BECAUSE THE GAS LINE COULD BLOW UP. HE NOTICED THAT MY GLASSES WERE BACKWARDS ON THE B…”
NHTSA complaint #11076442, 2018 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“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, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE AND BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HEARD ANOTHER POPPING NOISE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE HIMSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CAPITOL MAZDA (LOCATED AT 980 CAPITOL EXPRESSWAY AUTO MALL, SAN JOSE, CA 95136, (408) 763-4018) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK FAILED AND THE ENGINE ROD WAS FRACTURED. THE…”
NHTSA complaint #11190585, 2018 · fire

Air Bags 19 9 crash 7 injury

“The contact owned a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, another vehicle going 110 MPH crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The air bags failed to de[ploy. The contact hit his head against the front driver's side window and he became unconscious. The contact stated upon regaining consciousness, he noticed that he was laying flat on his back as the seat had fractured. The contact also noticed that the seat belt had fractured into two. The front of the other vehicle caught on fire and the fire expanded to the rear of the contact's vehicle. The emergency units and State poli…”
NHTSA complaint #11508335, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BRUISED SHOULDER AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD, AND WAS TAKEN OVER BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR AN EVALUATION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,129. *BF*JB”
NHTSA complaint #11243371, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. ADDITIONALLY THE SHOULDER HARNESS ALSO FAILED TO PREVENT FORWARD MOTION IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CHEST INJURY DUE HER CHEST STRIKING THE STEERING WHEEL. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT YET SOUGHT. A CARDIOLOGIST WAS CONTACTED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR…”
NHTSA complaint #11209697, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Fuel/Propulsion System 19 3 crash 2 fire

“FUEL FILLER PIPE MELTED CAUSING EXTENSIVE FIRE AND DAMAGE. I HAVEN'T HAD USE OF MY VEHICLE SINCE 5/14/19. MAZDA IS AWARD AND DOESN'T CARE. NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED JUST HAPPENED. LOST MY JOB BECAUSE OF NO VEHICLE AND AM BEHIND ON ALL PAYMENTS . CAR WAS TRAVELING ON EXPRESS WAY WHEN HAPPENED. PLEASE CALL MECHANIC AT EXCEL COLLISION APACHE JUNCTION AZ FOR ALL DAMAGE AND DELAYS”
NHTSA complaint #11235259, 2019 · fire

“WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IT BROKE DOWN (IN MOTION) ON THE HIGHWAY, TOWED IT TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS WATER IN THE FUEL. AFTER A WEEK THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED, THIS TIME THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INOPERABLE AND IT CONTINUED TO SPUTTER, TOOK IT TO A SECOND DEALERSHIP WHO KEPT IT FOR ANOTHER WEEK WHO APPARENTLY FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE SEEMED OK AND EXACTLY ONE WEEK LATER AFTER PARKING IT (STATIONARY) AND WALKING AWAY IT BURST INTO FLAMES, THE FLAMES INCINERATED THREE ADJACENT VEHICLES.”
NHTSA complaint #10905772, 2016 · fire

“My wife was driving our 2016 Mazda CX-5, and was getting ready to pull into our daughters' driveway. My wife slowed down to a stop before entering the driveway. She gave the vehicle some gas to move forward. She stated that there was a pause, then the vehicle accelerated forward slamming into the garage door and the corner of the garage/house. There was also a Tesla parked inside the garage that was knocked back about a foot and a half. The distance from the edge of driveway and street to the garage door is about 27 feet. This happened at 1:30 PM. The weather conditions were great, sunny and d…”
NHTSA complaint #11734199, 2026 · crash

Structure 19 2 crash 2 injury

“I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT NATURAL GROCERS. WHEN THE CAR WAS GOING 2-3 MPH INTO THE SPACE GETTING READY I THOUGHT TO STOP, THE ENGINE REVVED UP LIKE A JET ENGINE. THE CAR THEN JUMPED A CONCRETE SIDE WALK, HIT THE BRICK BUILDING, AND BROKE A GAS LINE. THE CAR THEN CAME TO REST BACK IN THE PARKING SPOT. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, MY FIRST REACTION WAS "WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED". A MAN WALKING OUT OF A STORE HEARD THE HISS OF THE GAS LINE AND THEN CALLED 911. HE CAME TO THE CAR AND TOLD ME TO MOVE AWAY BECAUSE THE GAS LINE COULD BLOW UP. HE NOTICED THAT MY GLASSES WERE BACKWARDS ON THE B…”
NHTSA complaint #11076442, 2018 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“PARKED MY CAR. OPEN UP DRIVERS DOOR , RADIO AND DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. STANDING ON DRIVEWAY NOW PUSH BUTTON TO TURN OFF RADIO AND DASH. EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON. DID IT THREE TIMES AND ON THE THIRD TIME VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. HAD TO CURLY ON THE FLOOR BARD AND DOOR WIDE OPEN. VEHICLE GAINING SPEED, ENGINE OFF, LOOK AT GEAR SHIFT SAYING IT'S IN PARK STILL. I HAD TO JUMP OUT OF VEHICLE BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. NEIGHBOR CAME TO HELP ME OUT AND CALLED 911 WHO SENT AN AMBULANCE AND POLICE. PARAMEDICS ATTENDED TO MY NEEDS AND RUSHED ME TO THE HOSPITAL. POLICE ASK THE NEIGHBORS…”
NHTSA complaint #10954940, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“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 VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION."”
NHTSA complaint #11277264, 2019

Seats 16 2 crash 6 fire 3 injury

“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, 2025 · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“The contact owned a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, another vehicle going 110 MPH crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The air bags failed to de[ploy. The contact hit his head against the front driver's side window and he became unconscious. The contact stated upon regaining consciousness, he noticed that he was laying flat on his back as the seat had fractured. The contact also noticed that the seat belt had fractured into two. The front of the other vehicle caught on fire and the fire expanded to the rear of the contact's vehicle. The emergency units and State poli…”
NHTSA complaint #11508335, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“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 hasn’t been inspected No warning lamps”
NHTSA complaint #11714979, 2026 · 1 injury(ies)

Vehicle Speed Control 13 7 crash 3 injury

“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, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“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, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“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, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Suspension 9 1 crash 1 injury

“"TAKATA RECALL" ? IN MARCH 2018, I WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND IN A MAZDA CX-5 ON AN EXPRESSWAY IN LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 9;45 PM AND THE EXPRESSWAY WAS FAIRLY EMPTY, ROADS WERE COMPLETELY CLEAR, NO RAIN, NO SNOW. OUT OF NOWHERE, A SPEEDING DRIVER SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF MY MAZDA AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. (SHE ADMITTED TO FOLLOWING ME TOO CLOSELY AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP IN TIME, SO MY CAR WAS HIT PRETTY HARD. ON POLICE REPORT, SHE WAS CITED FOR UNSAFE SPEED AMONG OTHER THINGS. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THE A POLICE OFFICER THAT SHE DID NOT HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE). MY…”
NHTSA complaint #11097343, 2018 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11736286, 2026

“With no prior warning, just after turning into driveway, my car got stuck and would not move. It gave clicking sounds and would not move no matter which gear it was in. The towing service person needed a dolly in order to safely lift the vehicle onto the towing bed because the front, driver’s side tire would not move and was pushing into the fender. So far, the control arm and axel are completely separated from the car. Further investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the spontaneous injury. This all happened without warning.”
NHTSA complaint #11708612, 2025

Parking Brake 7

“My EPB or Electronic Parking Brake started to Malfunction. It will lock up during parking, and driving and stay locked. It will flash Malfunction light, and the Parking Brake light on the dash will come on, and off. Sometimes If I turn off the vehicle for a while, it will again function. I have not been driving this vehicle, because of the issue I am very scarred my brakes will lock up when it is icy or wet, or slick, and I will injure myself or others Unintentionally. when I first had this issue, I decided to do research, and it seems to be a very common problem across all 2016 model Mazda Cx…”
NHTSA complaint #11505346, 2023

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE BRAKE AND PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED JEFF WYLER EASTGATE MAZDA (1117 OH-32, BATAVIA, OH 45103, (513)752-3447) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11403879, 2021

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE INADVERTENTLY ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS STILL ENGAGED. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ALSO NOTICED THE SAME FAILURE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN REPAIRED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE…”
NHTSA complaint #11366426, 2020

Steering 7

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11736286, 2026

“TSB issue with suspension steering gear assembly needs to be removed and have spacer kit installed. Issue caused the front lower ball joint to wear more than usual and crack. Due to TSB a joint kit needs to be installed and control arms replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #11497047, 2022

“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 was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 16V203000 (Steering). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11424686, 2021

Seat Belts 6 2 crash 2 injury

“The contact owned a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, another vehicle going 110 MPH crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The air bags failed to de[ploy. The contact hit his head against the front driver's side window and he became unconscious. The contact stated upon regaining consciousness, he noticed that he was laying flat on his back as the seat had fractured. The contact also noticed that the seat belt had fractured into two. The front of the other vehicle caught on fire and the fire expanded to the rear of the contact's vehicle. The emergency units and State poli…”
NHTSA complaint #11508335, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. ADDITIONALLY THE SHOULDER HARNESS ALSO FAILED TO PREVENT FORWARD MOTION IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CHEST INJURY DUE HER CHEST STRIKING THE STEERING WHEEL. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT YET SOUGHT. A CARDIOLOGIST WAS CONTACTED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR…”
NHTSA complaint #11209697, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“The component that failed was the passenger's seat belt. It became unattached from the seat. It appears as though the bolt that holds the fastener to the seat failed. The vehicle is currently available for inspection as it has not been taken to be repaired, yet. Safety was put at risk by the seatbelt not being attached to the seat which could have resulted in serious bodily injury in the event of an accident. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, yet. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by police, insurance, or manufacturer. No warning l…”
NHTSA complaint #11595190, 2024

Visibility 5

“The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle he observed a small crack on the top left corner of the windshield. Over time the crack proceeded to progress across the windshield. The contact stated that the windshield was not impacted by an object or projectile. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11620347, 2024

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLES MAZDA (6387 AIRPORT PULLING RD N, NAPLES, FL 34109, 239-597-9607) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATER CORE WAS CLOGGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBERS: 10091444 AND SA218, WHICH STATED THAT AN OVERHEATED HEATER CORE WAS DUE TO CLOGGING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THESES CODES INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE…”
NHTSA complaint #11288190, 2019

“2016 MAZDA CX5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SHATTERED WINDOW ON VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE WINDOW SHATTERING. *JS”
NHTSA complaint #11030909, 2017

Wheels 3

“I own a 2016 Mazda CX-5 Touring with AWD. I purchased it brand new from a dealer--no miles on it. It's been a great car until this Sudden Unintended Acceleration problem (about 60K miles now). It's happened 5 or 6 times--twice when in a drive thru. It seems that if I am idling (not pressing on gas or brake) the car will sometimes suddenly accelerate. I have used suggestions to brake, then place car in neutral. That seemed to resolve the problem. However, recently I pulled up to my (rural) mailbox and the car tried to accelerate out of control. I had the brake on (was on a downhill) wh…”
NHTSA complaint #11476063, 2022

“DRIVING ON RTE 95 S IN PA. WHEN THE RIGHT REAR YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR G91A TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENTIRE CENTER TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL AND TOOK OFF DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE TPMS DID NOT ALERT ME AND ONLY THE SIDEWALLS ARE LEFT. MAZDA AND YOKOHAMA COULDN'T CARE LESS WHEN I CONTACTED THEM.”
NHTSA complaint #11113252, 2018

“ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE STAYS ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING BRAKES EXCESSIVE WEAR AND BRAKE FAILURE. FIVE 2016 CX5 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN SAME 5 MONTH PERIOD CAME TO DEALERSHIP WITH SAME PROBLEM. PROBLEM FIRST DETECTED BY SQUEAKING. PROBLEM GETS WORSE UNTIL DIFFICULT TO STOP WHEN BRAKING. GRUMBLING NOISE IN FRONT CAUSED BY BAD BEARINGS. PROVIDING DEALER RECORDS AND PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN ORDERED. CONCERNED THAT MAZDA HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE WHICH MAY NOT MANIFEST ITSELF FOR A YEAR OR MORE AFTER PURCHASE. MAZDA IS STILL SELLING THE 2016 MODELS SINCE THE 2017'S HAVE BEEN DELAYED. MAZDA…”
NHTSA complaint #10937942, 2016

Back Over Prevention 2

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11666002, 2025

“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 dash, and auto technicians tell me it is a malfunction with the electrical system, not something in my brake system that needs to be replaced. We have tried that. These problems I have been told are not the responsibility of the manufacturer. I don’t understand w…”
NHTSA complaint #11727814, 2024

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2

“MY COMPLAINT IS IDENTICAL TO COMPLAINT # 10913740. I SPECIAL ORDERED MY CX-5 & PICKED IT UP FEB 2017.DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, REVS UP TO 6000 BEFORE ENGAGING, CAN'T ACCELERATE WHEN I NEED TO (LIKE MERGING ON FREEWAY OR CHANGING LANES). PLEASE SEE COMPLAINT # 10913740 BECAUSE HE DESCRIBES IT BETTER THAN I, A NON "CAR PERSON" CAN. I'VE PUT MY MY GAS FOOT TO THE FLOOR TRYING TO GAIN SOME SPEED SO I WOULDN'T GET REAR ENDED AND IT TAKES, LITERALLY, ABOUT 10 SECONDS TO RESPOND AT ALL. THE DEALER CLAIMS IT IS SHIFTING AS DESIGNED & SAYS THEY CAN'T RECREATE THE PROBLEM. CAR WAS THERE @3600 MILES &…”
NHTSA complaint #11015202, 2017

“WHILE DRIVING ON A SLOPE WITH BIT OF CURVE ON A HIGHWAY WHEN I APPLIED A MILD BRAKE TO REDUCE THE SPEED, THE CAR ABRUPTLY MOVED STRAIGHT LEFT AND GOES OFF ROAD. THE BRAKE AND STEERING DIDN'T RESPOND IMMEDIATELY FOR FEW SECONDS AND THE CAR KEEP GOING DOWN OFF ROAD ON A VERY ROUGH TERRAIN. LUCKILY IT STOPPED FEW METERS BEFORE A SHARP FALL.”
NHTSA complaint #11013605, 2017

Forward Collision Avoidance 2

“I buy this car 2 years ago and 3 months later is starting having problem with rear passenger brakes I took the car to the mechanic and he change disc and brakes pads. A couple months later is starting having the same problem in the same area but this time is was smell burn coming through the wheel I'm stop the car to check was is going on when I check the brakes it was very very hot. I take the car to the mechanic and he told me the EPB is bad he changed everything disc, brakes pads,caliper and EPB motor. He said try to don't used the EPB too much or I'm going to see you again with same proble…”
NHTSA complaint #11529876, 2021

“Ebrake engages on its own when starting up the vehicle. You are unable to turn the ebrake off without restarting the car. The repair shop stated it is a problem with the computer module. A quick search of the internet shows that this is a common issue with this year's make and model. Luckily, the ebrake has not engaged itself yet while driving the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11425684, 2021

Tires 2

“TL* 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 MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *LN*JB”
NHTSA complaint #11329721, 2020

“TL* 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 TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO HERTRICH'S CAPITOL MAZDA(1127 S DUPONT HWY, DOVER, DE 19901) WHERE THEY REFERRED HER TO THE TOYA TIRE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE TIRES. THE CONT…”
NHTSA complaint #11373765, 2019

Chest Clip 1

“We are having a consistent issue with our son kicking the harness release button located by his feet in the car seat. On numerous occasions we have gone to retrieve him from the seat and the harness is completely loose by kicking and releasing the trigger. This is very VERY unsafe. We have been in contact with the manufacturer via email and they have not responded to our request to remedy the situation. They advised that he may have outgrown the car seat, however he is 8 lbs under the weight limit. Additionally, the warning label on the seat says that they have not outgrown the seat until the…”
NHTSA complaint #11431522, 2021

Engine And Engine Cooling 1

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11740585, 2026

Fuel System 1

“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 mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an inoperable fuel pump. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11542879, 2023

Latches/Locks/Linkages 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V064000 (FUEL SYSTEM) AND 16V644000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE AND PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
NHTSA complaint #10946495, 2017