2016 Mazda CX-5
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 207 of 510 complaints (41%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (7) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 133 in 2015 to 510 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,150–2,400 | 2,150–2,400 | 2,150–2,400 | 2,300–2,400 | 2,250–3,200 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–29 | 26–29 | 26–29 | 26–27 | 26–29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 24–26 / 29–34 | 24–26 / 29–34 | 24–26 / 29–34 | 23–24 / 29–31 | 24–28 / 30–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 306–340 | 306–341 | 306–340 | 328–352 | 321–365 | |
| Complaints filed | 377 | 133 | 510 | 148 | 348 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 7 | 11 | 31 | 5 | 19 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 6 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Mazda CX-5 have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Mazda CX-5?
Visibility & Lighting: 207 of 510 NHTSA complaints (41%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Mazda CX-5 get?
EPA rates it 26–29 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Mazda CX-5?
EPA estimates $2,150–$2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 26 mpg (high) | 34 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 306 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 26 mpg (high) | 33 mpg | 29 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 310 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 24 mpg (low) | 29 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 340 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 39 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 51 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 20 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 71 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Brakes | 73 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 23 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 17 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 36 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 207 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 57 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 20V063000 · Feb 6, 2020
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 CX-5 vehicles. The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may fail while driving.
Consequence: 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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE · Campaign 16V644000 · Sep 6, 2016
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
STEERING · Campaign 16V203000 · Apr 11, 2016
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP · Campaign 16V064000 · Feb 3, 2016
Defect: 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 vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Consequence: A rupture of the fuel filler pipe may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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 February 25, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 9216B.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD · Campaign 16E002000 · Jan 19, 2016
Defect: 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 affected windshields have a bracket mounted on the inside to hold a laser sensor or LIDAR device for the Smart City Brake Support system. These brackets were improperly affixed with only tape instead of tape and urethane and therefore may loosen.
Consequence: If the bracket loosens or detaches from the windshield, the safety features of the Smart City Brake Support system may be disabled and therefore increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 recall began on February 15, 2016. Owners may contact Pilkington at 1-844-278-7230.