YearToAvoid

2016 Mazda CX-5 Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 73 brake complaints for the 2016 Mazda CX-5, 14% of its 510 total complaints for the year, with 6 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries reported. No related recalls are listed. Median mileage at failure is 28,350 miles.

Brakes complaints
73
14% of 510
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
28,350 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe the brake pedal failing to respond while slowing down, with the vehicle continuing to accelerate on its own during low-speed parking maneuvers.
  • Several drivers report the car jumping curbs or hitting parked cars or buildings after brakes did not engage while coasting into parking spots.
  • Some owners say the electronic parking brake stayed engaged while driving, causing excessive wear and eventually difficult braking.
  • A thudding noise from the rear wheel area was linked to a faulty hub and bearing assembly that damaged the inner brake disc.
  • One complaint describes uneven front brake pad wear, with the outer pad wearing much faster than the inner pad, and references a technical bulletin that owner said Mazda would not apply to their vehicle.
  • A separate report describes a burning odor and smoke traced to a brake caliper needing replacement.

When 2016 Mazda CX-5 brake complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 21, 2015, latest Jul 30, 2026.

2016 Mazda CX-5 brakes complaints: complaints filed per quarter72015 Q42017 Q22018 Q22019 Q22020 Q32021 Q42023 Q32026 Q2
73 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q3 (7).

Brakes recalls for the 2016 Mazda CX-5

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by CX-5 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20120 (0%)
  2. 201340 (21%)
  3. 201435 (9%)
  4. 201514 (11%)
  5. 201673 (14%)
  6. 201715 (10%)
  7. 201835 (10%)
  8. 20197 (3%)
  9. 202014 (13%)
  10. 202111 (8%)
  11. 20224 (6%)
  12. 202311 (18%)
  13. 20248 (18%)
  14. 202510 (37%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2016 Mazda CX-5 have?
NHTSA lists 73 brake complaints for the 2016 CX-5, which is 14% of its 510 total complaints for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2016 Mazda CX-5?
No related recalls are listed in the data for the 2016 CX-5's brake complaints.
At what mileage do 2016 CX-5 brake problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure among reported brake complaints is 28,350 miles.
Have brake issues on the 2016 CX-5 caused crashes?
Yes, NHTSA data shows 6 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries tied to brake complaints for the 2016 CX-5.
How does the 2016 CX-5 compare to other years for brake complaints?
The 2016 model's 73 brake complaints and 14% share are higher in raw count than most other CX-5 years, though 2013 had a higher share at 21%.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.