The Lemon Index

All cars · Mazda CX-5 · 2016

2016 Mazda CX-5. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index273100 = average car
Complaints306NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold112,235U.S. model year
Per 100K sold273complaints
Year rank#10 of 10#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.0L 4-cylManual 6-spdFWD26 / 34 / 29Regular$2,150
2.5L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD26 / 33 / 29Regular$2,150
2.5L 4-cylAuto (S6)4WD24 / 29 / 26Regular$2,400

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 10,000 and 46,600 miles. Median 30,900, from 335 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Lights40,00031,000–55,500120
Electrical34,9009,900–50,00035
Brakes28,40013,000–40,00049
Transmission & drivetrain5,4001,900–24,20041
Wipers & visibility6,0002,300–18,00029

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Lights36%
Transmission & drivetrain13%
Brakes12%
Electrical11%
Wipers & visibility10%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
510311013028

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 5

  • 20V063000 Feb 2020 Exterior Lighting / Headlights

    Defect. 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.

  • 16V644000 Sep 2016 Structure / Body / Hatchback/Liftgate

    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.

    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.

  • 16V203000 Apr 2016 Steering

    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.

    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.

  • 16V064000 Feb 2016 Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly / Filler Pipe And Cap

    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."

    Risk. 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.

  • 16E002000 Jan 2016 Visibility / Windshield

    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.

    Risk. 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.

Manufacturer communications 705

Mazda filed 705 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Check engine light and automatic transaxle warning light on with one or more
  • When performing service on the electric parking brake (epb) system, be aware that some epb…
  • Rear brake dragging, resulting in brake noise and abnormal outer brake pad wear

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20135077122,863Transmission & drivetrain
201414317199,122Wipers & visibility
20157986111,450Body structure
2016273306112,235Lights
20173547127,563Brakes
20185584150,622Engine
20193962154,545Electrical

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data