Final years are generally thought of as the best years to buy a given model. But the 2016 Mazda CX-5 has five recalls and plenty of complaints, ranging from odd noises from the front suspension to various electrical gremlins knocking out features like blind-spot monitoring and power brakes.
Key Points
- Though only five recalls were issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Mazda CX-5, 400 complaints were logged by consumers.
- Complaints cover airbag failures, daytime running lights going out while on the road, infotainment system reboots, and more.
- In comparison, the 2017 CX-5–the first model year of the second-generation crossover–has one recall and 70 complaints.
- Related consumer forums feature more issues, including knocking sounds from the front suspension and faulty brake pedal switches.
- In summary, it may be best to skip this final year of the first-gen. CX-5 for a 2017 model instead.
Only Five Recalls Ding the 2016 Mazda CX-5, but Those Dings are Serious
The saying goes that the final year of a given model is always the best, as all the kinks and bugs have been sorted out.
This wasn’t quite the case with the 2016 Mazda CX-5, as the last of the first-generation compact crossover left the assembly line with tons of complaints, plus five recalls issued by the NHTSA. And each of the five are as serious as they get.
The earliest among the recalls involves a supplier, Pilkington North America, and the Smart City Brake Support system attached to the supplier’s windshields.
The recall from January 2016 says the system was only attached with tape (“instead of tape and urethane”), meaning the system could fall off, leading to potential crashes. Affected windshields are replaced free by the supplier.
The rest of the recalls, though, are all on Mazda itself.
Daytime Running Light Failures, Falling Tailgates, Ruptured Fuel Pipes Just Three Big Recalls for 2016 Mazda CX-5
Shortly after the supplier recall, Mazda itself got hit by the first of the remaining four recalls. In February 2016, it was found that certain 2014-2016 CX-5 models “have a fuel filler pipe that may rupture in a crash.” The fix involves altering the pipe’s attachment and bracket.
Speaking of crashes, a recall in April 2016 covers the steering knuckle on 2014-2016 CX-5s.
Specifically, the mounting nuts and bolts attaching the knuckle could come loose, causing separation, leading to loss of steering ability. Tightening or replacing the bolts fixes the problem.
The last two recalls involve the rear tailgate and daytime running lights. Regarding the former, the lift stay could corrode, causing the tailgate to fall on the operator’s head.
Meanwhile, the DRLs could also fail, reducing visibility by others. Fixes for both issues involve dealerships replacing the defective parts.
2016 Mazda CX-5 Has No Investigations, Though 400 Complaints Suggest Maybe There Should Be a Closer Look
Among the 400 complaints made by consumers to the NHTSA about the 2016 Mazda CX-5, nearly 150 of them involve the exterior lighting (specifically, the DRL issue for which a recall was issued).
The second-largest complaint involves the electronic parking brake, with more than a few drivers noting the brake activating itself while the crossover is in motion.
Consumers have noted experiencing prematurely worn rear brake pads, calipers, and rotors as a result of the parking brake issue.
2016 Mazda CX-5 Forums Feature Owners Sharing Stories of Bad Brakes, Thumping Sounds, and Blind-spot Monitoring Glitches
The NHTSA isn’t the only place where consumers have complained about the 2016 Mazda CX-5, though. A forum member on Mazdas 24/7 asked about a thumping sound on their 2015 CX-5, which they said came from the front suspension.
A related post referenced a specific tech service bulletin, noting the noise “is due to stick-slip between the front strut bearing and the coil spring.”
Meanwhile, a member on Mazda3 Revolution said the blind-spot monitoring on their 2016 CX-5 wouldn’t engage. Turned out they only needed to change the battery, likely due to how much juice the previous battery had left.
On Mazdas 24/7, a member discusses a 2013 CX-5 that had issues with the main brakes not working properly, along with ignition problems and malfunctioning warning lights. Another member suggests it might be the brake pedal switch acting odd, and maybe simply needs a replacement.
If a Mazda CX-5 is Desired, 2017 is the Year to Choose Over the 2016 Model
In contrast to the 2016 Mazda CX-5, the 2017 model — the first year for the second-generation compact crossover — only has one recall and 70 complaints with the NHTSA (the recall involves trailer hitch wiring issues).
The 2017 Mazda CX-5 is in sharp contrast not only to the previous year but to the first-generation CX-5 overall, which had hundreds of complaints over its four model-year lifespan.
Thus, rather than opt for a 2016 CX-5, a 2017 or newer (aside from 2018, which has 100 consumer complaints) model is the best bet.
Photos: Mazda
