YearToAvoid

2016 Mazda CX-5 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 49 engine complaints for the 2016 Mazda CX-5, 10% of that year's 510 total complaints, with 11 crashes, 2 fires, and 4 injuries. Median mileage at failure was 23,084 miles. No related recalls are on file for this issue.

Engine complaints
49
10% of 510
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
23,084 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe the vehicle suddenly lunging or surging forward while parking or coasting at low speed, even with a foot on the brake.
  • Several drivers report the engine revving on its own and the car accelerating without input, leading to collisions with objects, trees, or other vehicles.
  • Some owners say the brakes did not respond when the unintended acceleration happened, preventing them from stopping the car.
  • A few complaints describe burning smells, smoke, or popping noises coming from the engine compartment, with one case involving visible flames under the hood.
  • One owner reported the vehicle lunging forward at high speed while stopped but not yet placed in park, striking a structure.

When 2016 Mazda CX-5 engine complaints were filed

First complaint May 17, 2016, latest May 28, 2026.

2016 Mazda CX-5 engine complaints: complaints filed per month2May 2016Jun 2017Nov 2018Dec 2020Sep 2022May 2024Feb 2025May 2026
49 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2016 to May 2026; peak May 2016 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2016 Mazda CX-5

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by CX-5 model year

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

  1. 20121 (100%)
  2. 201356 (29%)
  3. 201446 (12%)
  4. 201526 (20%)
  5. 201649 (10%)
  6. 201720 (14%)
  7. 2018190 (54%)
  8. 2019142 (53%)
  9. 202022 (21%)
  10. 202188 (60%)
  11. 202214 (22%)
  12. 202315 (24%)
  13. 202411 (25%)
  14. 20259 (33%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2016 Mazda CX-5 have?
NHTSA lists 49 engine complaints for the 2016 CX-5, which is 10% of the 510 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Mazda CX-5 engine?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine issue on the 2016 CX-5.
At what mileage do 2016 CX-5 engine problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this issue is 23,084 miles.
Have there been any crashes or injuries linked to this issue?
NHTSA data tied to these engine complaints includes 11 crashes, 2 fires, and 4 injuries.

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.