2016 Mazda Cx-5: Recalls and Reported Problems
Every NHTSA safety recall recorded for this model year, what owners report most often, and how to check whether one specific vehicle still has open work.
Two identical Cx-5s can differ entirely: one may have had every recall repaired, the other none.
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2016 Mazda Cx-5, alongside 510 owner complaints filed with the agency, most often about exterior lighting. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, with no expiry on safety recalls. A recall applies to a production range, so check the specific VIN — a previous owner may already have had the work done.
2016 Mazda Cx-5 at a glance
What owners report most
These are the vehicle systems named most often in complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Mazda Cx-5. A complaint is an unverified owner report: it does not establish a defect, and a high count can simply reflect a popular model. Use it to decide where an inspection should look hardest.
| Vehicle system | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 161 |
| Electrical System | 71 |
| Service Brakes | 69 |
| Power Train | 51 |
| Visibility/wiper | 42 |
| Engine | 39 |
Recall campaigns for the 2016 Mazda Cx-5
Each campaign below is an official NHTSA record. The remedy is performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, and safety recalls never expire — but a campaign covers a production range, so only a VIN lookup confirms whether a particular vehicle is included and whether the work is still outstanding.
| Campaign | Component | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| 16V644000 | 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… |
| 16V203000 | 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,… |
| 16V064000 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP | 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. |
| 16E002000 | VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 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. |
| 20V063000 | 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. |
How to check one specific Cx-5
- Copy the 17-character VIN from the windshield or driver-door label — not from the listing.
- Run it through NHTSA’s free recall lookup to see open campaigns for that exact vehicle.
- Ask the seller for repair documentation on any campaign that shows as completed.
- Check title, odometer, and total-loss history separately; recalls say nothing about a vehicle’s past.
- Book an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the systems owners report most.
What this data cannot tell you
- Whether a specific vehicle is included in a campaign, or whether its recall work was completed — only a VIN lookup answers that.
- Whether a complaint is accurate. NHTSA publishes owner reports without verifying them.
- How reliable the model is overall: complaint volume tracks how many vehicles were sold as much as how they hold up.
- Anything about title brands, accident history, odometer records, or liens on an individual vehicle.
Primary sources behind this page
Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.
2016 Mazda Cx-5 questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Mazda Cx-5 have?
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls covering the 2016 Mazda Cx-5 as of 2026-08-27. Whether a specific vehicle is affected — and whether the repair was already done — depends on its VIN.
What are the most common 2016 Mazda Cx-5 problems?
Owners most often report exterior lighting, electrical system, service brakes issues to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports and do not establish a defect, but they show where to focus an inspection.
Are Mazda recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no charge by a franchised dealer, and federal safety recalls do not expire. Bring the VIN and ask the dealer to confirm open campaigns before the appointment.
Can I check recalls on a specific 2016 Mazda Cx-5 VIN?
Yes. NHTSA's free VIN lookup reports open recalls for an individual vehicle, including whether the repair is still outstanding. Model-level lists like this page cannot tell you that.