Is the 2016 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

The 2016 Mazda CX-5 has 624 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: LIGHTING problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Mazda CX-5?

Top problems: LIGHTING (161 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (70 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (68 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Mazda CX-5?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE, STEERING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. Contact any Mazda dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Mazda CX-5?

The 2016 Mazda CX-5 gets 29 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1655. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Mazda CX-5?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Mazda CX-5 is approximately $1,585/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Mazda CX-5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2016 Mazda CX-5 has 624 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.3x the segment average of 188. The most common issue is lighting problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: headlight clear lens is melting from inside. clear lens that covers headlight has coating inside and outside. it is the inside coating that is flowing down. looks like it was over-applied during manufacturing process. but in time, it's appearance is becoming more and more visible. both left and righ. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 14 fire reports filed.

14 fire reports 30 crash reports 14 injuries

624

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

3.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

LIGHTING

161 complaints

26%

• HEADLIGHT CLEAR LENS IS MELTING FROM INSIDE. CLEAR LENS THAT COVERS HEADLIGHT HAS COATING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. IT IS THE INSIDE COATING THAT IS FLOWING DOWN. LOOKS LIKE IT WAS OVER-APPLIED DURING MANUFACTURING PROCESS. BUT IN TIME, IT'S APPEARANCE IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE VISIBLE. BOTH LEFT AND RIGH
• THERE ARE TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNAL. FIRST AND FOREMOST, ON VEHICLES THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH LED HEADLIGHTS AND LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS, IT IS VERY HARD TO DISTINGUISH THE TURN INDICATOR SINCE IT IS AN INCANDESCENT BULB, IT IS NOT AS BRIGHT AS THE LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS THAT WHEN THEY
• DAYTIME LED RUNNING LIGHTS FAILED ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL ACCORDING TO A MAZDA OWNER'S GROUP AND OFTEN OCCURS WITH EITHER DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. HTTPS://WWW.MAZDAS247.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?123857122-DAYTIME

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“HEADLIGHT CLEAR LENS IS MELTING FROM INSIDE. CLEAR LENS THAT COVERS HEADLIGHT HAS COATING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. IT IS THE INSIDE COATING THAT IS FLOWING DOWN. LOOKS LIKE IT WAS OVER-APPLIED DURING MANUFACTURING PROCESS. BUT IN TIME, IT'S APPEARANCE IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE VISIBLE. BOTH LEFT AND RIGH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Mazda CX-5

Based on 402 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 30K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

199

30-60K

151

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 51 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 41 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 41 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 34K mi · 34 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 6K mi · 32 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 28K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE06/09/2016

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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Mazda CX-5

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,656

Per month

$138

Per mile

13.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,412/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Mazda CX-5

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,585

Full coverage / month

$132

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

-5%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1585

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mazda CX-5 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

120K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

SkyActiv-G naturally aspirated engines. AWD models need transfer case and rear differential service every 60K.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mazda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Mazda. If you're buying a used 2016 CX-5, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mazda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 624 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
LIGHTING: HEADLIGHT CLEAR LENS IS MELTING FROM INSIDE. CLEAR LENS THAT COVERS HEADLIGHT HAS COATING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. IT IS THE INSIDE COATING THAT IS FLOWING DOWN. LOOKS LIKE IT WAS OVER-APPLIED DURING MANUFACTURING PROCESS. BUT IN TIME, IT'S APPEARANCE IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE VISIBLE. BOTH LEFT AND RIGH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 2016 MAZDA CX-5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION/ "ROOM FUSE" FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE GPS, RADIO, BLUETOOTH AND OTHER INTERIOR FUNCTIONS FAILED. NO WARNING LIGHTS OTHERWISE APPEARED. AFTER PUTTING GAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. NO WARNING LIGH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH A 2016 MAZDA CX-5 (7000 MILES) ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AND THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN (UNINTENDED ACCELERATION). THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK! IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID THE CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF ME I SWERVED TO THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE CAR WAS PARKED OVER THE WEEKEND IN A VERY SECLUDED COUNTY LOCATION (NO OTHER PEOPLE AROUND). I NOTICED A LARGE CRACK IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TWO DAYS LATER WHEN I NEXT USED THE CAR. THERE ARE NO VISIBLE CHIPS ON THE GLASS. THE CRACK SPREAD OUTWARD FROM WHERE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS ATTACHED. I B
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Mazda dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)