2016 Mazda CX-5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 14 CX-5 years
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 has 510 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 100, the highest of any CX-5 year, ranking it worst overall (rank 1 of 14 years). It carries 4 recalls and its top problem area is the Electrical System at 44% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 510
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 31 / 10
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26 city / 33 hwy
Top 2016 Mazda CX-5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System226 (44%)
- Brakes73 (14%)
- Other58 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain51 (10%)
- Engine49 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers46 (9%)
- Structure & Body36 (7%)
- Fuel System20 (4%)
- Airbags19 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, with the engine revving and the vehicle jumping curbs or hitting objects.
- Some describe the brakes failing to respond during these acceleration events, preventing them from stopping in time.
- Several report the vehicle bucking or slipping gears shortly after purchase, sometimes feeling like it dropped into neutral.
- A few describe stalling or sputtering caused by water contamination in the fuel system, requiring repeat dealer visits.
- One owner reported smoke and a burning odor from a rear brake caliper while driving at low speed.
- Airbags deployed in some sudden-acceleration crashes but failed to deploy in a repeat incident for at least one owner.
2016 Mazda CX-5 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V063000Feb 6, 2020Electrical System36,761 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 CX-5 vehicles. The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may fail while driving.
Risk: If the DRL fails, the vehicle's visibility may be reduced to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4320A.
- NHTSA 16V644000Sep 6, 2016Structure & Body580,455 vehicles
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
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.
Risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: 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 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.
- NHTSA 16V203000Apr 11, 2016Steering578 vehicles
Steering
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.
Risk: If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 then correctly tightened, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9316D.
2016 Mazda CX-5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other CX-5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Mazda CX-5 a bad year?
- Relative to other CX-5 model years, 2016 is rated 'Avoid.' It has a complaint index of 100, the highest among the 14 model years with data, and ranks worst overall (rank 1).
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 CX-5?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 226 complaints, or 44% of all complaints filed for this year, with a median failure mileage of 39,506 miles.
- Does the 2016 Mazda CX-5 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 CX-5, covering Electrical System (LED daytime running lights), Structure & Body (liftgate supports), Steering (strut mounting bolts), and Fuel System (filler pipe rupture risk). None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 CX-5 compare to other years?
- The 2016 model has a complaint index of 100, far above 2015 (23), 2017 (8), and 2020 (38), which are all rated 'Best' or 'Good.' Only 2014 (85), 2018 (92), and 2019 (77) come close, and all are also rated 'Avoid.'
- What mileage do 2016 CX-5 problems typically appear at?
- Across this year's complaints, the median mileage at failure is 30,939 miles, though individual problem areas vary, with Transmission & Powertrain issues appearing at a median of only 5,411 miles.