31 complaints reported

2016 Mazda CX-5 Electrical System

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
31
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Dec 2025

Passenger side seat heater overheated and burned upholstery.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Dec 2025
Jul 2025 Crash

We had another CX-5 in the back that we used to test whether or not it was either the throttle body or the BCM ( Body Control Module ) or the PCM ( Power Control Module ) not working that is causing your vehicle to not wanting to turn on The throttle body passed we transferred it over from vehicle A ( Being the donor ) to vehicle B (Being your vehicle ) and it was still doing the same thing which it would crank but not fully turn on and that is how we ruled that part out The BCM we also transferred over from vehicle A to vehicle B and same thing it would crank but not fully turn on This is what the mechanic at Mazda Collision Center of Irving stated: The PCM has power and is communicating with everything else in the vehicle. If it was the PCM then nothing would work and we wouldn't be able to even cycle the power as if we were going to turn on the vehicle We brought this over to our Mazda Foreman and we showed him the codes it was throwing and what was going on and explained everything and he did tell us that it could be the main harness that is causing all of this he is not for sure just because he is not the mechanic involved in this but he said that is a good start. I am uncertain exactly what is wrong with the vehicle. When I took it in to be serviced, it worked. The mechanic then said he couldn't work on it anymore after trying to fix the body work because the electrical system had failed. I then had it towed to Mazda to see if they could fix the issue. I had originally took it in because of a minor fender bender. I am unclear as to why it has taken four months and my car still doesn't work and I do not know how to afford buying a car to replace it when I cannot trade it in since we cannot resolve the electronic portion through insurance.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Mar 2025
Aug 2024

Ghost touch screen on multimedia. Causing detracting issues while driving.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Feb 2024
Apr 2024

The used 2016 Mazda CX5 I just bought apparently has the "ghost touch screen" where the Infotainment system will randomly pick controls, place phone calls, change navigation. How can this not be a safety recall? I'm afraid to drive this car and not have full control of the navigation system or controls. This is DANGEROUS to have this happen when driving!! Mazda should be held accountable for this clear safety problem.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Apr 2024
Mar 2024 Crash

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda CX5. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, the vehicle unintentionally accelerated without warning in an attempt to park the vehicle. On the first occasion, the vehicle drove in between two trees with the contact's foot on the brake pedal before the vehicle came to a stop. The air bags did not deploy upon impact and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent body shop where the vehicle was repaired for minor damage. The contact was also informed that no computer codes indicated any signs of a mechanical failure. On the second occasion, the vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle while again attempting to park the vehicle in a parking lot. The force of the collision caused the already hit vehicle to crash into yet another parked vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact and no injuries were reported. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed back to the same independent mechanic where the code reader indicated that the vehicle had a low battery; however, the battery did not need to be replaced. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the independent mechanic and had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Dec 2023
Sep 2023

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - The infotainment system goes into a reboot loop and never starts. At times the backup camera will turn off when backing up. At other times the backup camera will not turn off and will be on while driving forward. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the backup camera turns off while utilizing it there is the possibility for an incident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - Yes, the dealer confirmed the reboot loop. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - Only the dealer. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No, they appears a few years ago. I believe the main CPU got corrupted by an HD radio channel.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Jan 2021
May 2023

UNKNOWN cause for short battery life. The battery has been changed 4-5 times since 2020 with a brand new battery. The alternator has been checked and is fine. The dealership is going to check my vehicle again but this is an issue for multiple people with the same vehicle model.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Feb 2020
Feb 2023

The electronic emergency brake switch freezes in cold weather . The parking brake can not be released until the weather warms. This is safety issue, because the motorists is now stranded. I took my vehicle to the dealership,. but the would not address the problem. This happened 2 times on the following dates 13 February 2019 14 February 2022. I'm retired and very little. I only have about 23000.miles on my vehicle. I live ln New York City and do not feel safe driving in the winter, because my vehicle's electronic emergency brake switch freezes in the cold weather .

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Jan 2022
Oct 2022

When the vehicle is running, but not moving the touch screen display randomly jumps/changes the display. This malfunction has changed the current radio station, navigation map screen, and/or the maintenance warnings/alerts. I believe this "ghost touch" poses a safety hazard not only due to the distracting beeps and screen changes but also the random change/reset of important maintenance alerts such as oil change and tire rotations. My Mazda dealer has updated the software but did not correct the malfunction. They now say I need to pay for a replacement of the touch screen display component to correct the "ghost touch" defect.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Apr 2022
Sep 2022

smart key. during driving all the lights on the dashboard come on and the siren goes off and unable to have it turn off. After a period of time, its wears down the battery and it is no longer drivable. First time, it was towed to the AAA auto repair and they could not find anything wrong with it. The 2nd and 3rd time, AAA towed it back to Maita Mazda where we purchased it in good faith less than two months ago, and their service department could not find anything wrong with the electrical system. They replaced the battery the seond time, and the issue still occurred again when I turned it off. Then turned it back on as I needed to close the driver side window, and it would not turn on. No one seems to believe me, and we cannot get Maita to take it back and give us another vehicle in its place. It is extemely dangerous to drive in traffic, and we only bought it because it has a big enough trunk for my spouse's walker, and later a wheel chair. It is paid for in full,

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Sep 2022
May 2022

The Infotainment system engages in "ghost touch," where the screen scrolls through and clicks random buttons on its own. This occurs both while I am driving and while I am parked. It will change radio stations, exit out of the navigation, and click other random buttons so that I then have to turn off the display in order to get it to stop. For example, yesterday, it kept clicking the repeat button on the Bluetooth display so I was forced to listen to the same 1 second of a song until I could finally shut the Infotainment off. When this occurs while driving it is a hazardous distraction. Mazda had the same issue with its Infotainment system in the 2016 CX-3 and issued a recall. I reached out to Mazda to explain I am having the same problem but they will not fix it.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: May 2022
Jul 2021

The component that failed was the CMU unit in my screen. I was unable to use Bluetooth and hands free driving which put my safety at risk and when driving at night the screen would light up, reboot, shut down, light up which was very distracting. I took it to the dealership which they said this is happening in cars and they will not cover it. They fixed it at a cost of $864.34. I contacted Mazda and explained how distracting this is to drive and they explained there is nothing they could do but give me a $250.00 credit.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Jul 2021
Apr 2021

INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM CONTINUOUSLY REBOOTING / CMU GOES BAD. CANNOT REBOOT WITH REMOVING NAV CARD, ETC. THIS DISABLES BLUETOOTH, NAVIGATION, AFFECTS THE CAMERA. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS ONLINE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Apr 2021
Jan 2021

THE DRIVER'S SEAT POWER ADJUST HAS BEEN SQUEALING EXTREMELY LOUDLY EACH TIME I ADJUST IT, AND BASED ON WHAT I'VE READ, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND COULD BE A SIGN OF THE DRIVESHAFT/MOTOR FAILING.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Jan 2020
Feb 2020

I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS THAT THIS IS NOW THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD TO TAKE MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND REPAIRS DUE TO THE SOY-BASED COMPONENTS THEY USE IN THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS THAT HAVE BEEN CONTINUOUSLY EATEN THRU BY SQUIRRELS. MY CAR'S HORN AND HEADLIGHTS NO LONGER WORK AGAIN AND THIS IS NOW THE SECOND TIME. I ASK THAT THESE ELEMENTS ARE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY FOR SAFETY REASONS. WIRE HARNESSES ARE A CRITICAL COMPONENT TO VEHICLE SAFETY. WIRES THAT CAN DEGRADE DURING THE NORMAL SERVICE LIFE OF A VEHICLE CAN BE DEADLY. THINK ABOUT A WIRE HARNESS WITH INSULATION THAT'S BEEN EATEN THAT CONTROLS THE ABS, FUEL INJECTION OR AN AIRFLOW SENSOR, AND YOU HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND IT SHORTS. NOW YOU LOSE POWER OR BRAKING. ARE WE WILLING TO HAVE SOMEONE'S VEHICLE FAIL AND THE PEOPLE SERIOUSLY HURT OR DEAD BECAUSE OF A FUNDAMENTAL DESIGN FLAW? I CAN EMAIL PICTURES FROM MY PHONE TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF THE DAMAGE. AGAIN THESE WIRES SHOULD NEVER BE SOY BASED. I DON'T FEEL LIKE DYING ANYTIME SOON BECAUSE A RODENT CHEWED THROUGH A CRITICAL COMPONENT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Feb 2020
Feb 2020

MAZDA CONNECT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM REBOOTS CONTINUOUSLY THROUGH MULTIPLE SCREENS AND CANNOT BE TURNED OFF OR DISABLED. THE CONTINUOUS REFLASH THROUGH MULTIPLE HIGH INTENSITY LIT SCREENS CREATES A VISUAL DISTRACTION FOR NIGHT DRIVING.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Oct 2019
Nov 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND CAUSED SEVERAL SENSORS TO FAIL, INCLUDING THE TIRE AND PARKING BRAKE SENSORS, AS WELL AS THE COMPUTER SETTINGS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE SENSOR FAILURE CAUSED THE REAR BRAKE PADS TO SMOKE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SUSSMAN MAZDA (1606 EASTON ROAD, WILLOW GROVE, PA 19090, (215) 887-1601) WHERE THE DEALER REPLACED ALL THE FAILED SENSORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Nov 2019
Sep 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OURISMAN MAZDA OF ROCKVILLE (801 ROCKVILLE PIKE, ROCKVILLE, MD 20852, 301-424-7800) DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE THAT AFFECTED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE VEHICLE'S SENSORS, AND THE HOME SCREEN. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A CERTAIN CONSOLE THAT CONTROLLED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND THE PART WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE INFORMED WHEN THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE DEALER'S POSSESSION FOR ALMOST TWO MONTHS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A LOANER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS APOLOGETIC TO THE CONTACT FOR THE INCONVENIENCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE INVESTIGATING THE MATTER. THE CONTACT FILED AN INTERNAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Jul 2019
Jul 2019

VEHICLE'S INFOTAINMENT/NAVIGATION SYSTEM FROZE UP. WHEN IN OPERATION THE SCREEN JUST BLINKS ON AND OFF. UPON BRINGING VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ITEM IS BACKORDERED AS THERE ARE SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE SYSTEMS THEY HAVE NO TIME FRAME TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. UPON RESEARCH ON LINE IT ALSO APPEARS MANY OTHERS ARE SHARING THEIR SAME CHALLENGES WITH SYSTEMS THAT DO NOT WORK.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Aug 2019
Jul 2019

I HAD THE CAR STARTED AND TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND THE CAR STOPPED. DID SEVERAL TIMES SHUTTING OFF AND TURNING OFF. ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE PANEL FLICKERS. AFTER SEVERAL TIMES EVERY THING BACK TO NORMAL. AFTER ABOUT 2 MONTHS IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I TRIED IT SEVERAL TIMES AGAIN AND I EVEN DECIDED TO TRY AND DRIVE AND TURN THE LIGHTS ON WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR STOPPED. WENT HOME STOPPED AT MY MAILBOX TO GET THE MAIL. TURNED CAR OFF, BACK ON, LIGHTS A FLASHING, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON, DROVE INTO MY DRIVEWAY. TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON A FEW MORE TIMES. FINALLY WAS WORKING OK. AND IT HAS BEEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS SINCE. AFRAID TO BE DRIVING THE CAR AT NIGHT THOUGH.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Jun 2019
Jun 2019

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT ON DRIVER'S SIDE WAS REPLACED IN DEC 2017 WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 14,000 MILES. NOW THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER'S IS BURNT OUT. THE DEALER WANTS $1,200 TO REPLACE IT. I THOUGHT LED IS SUPPOSED TO LAST "FOREVER". ALSO, THE AUTO BRIGHT DOESN'T WORK. DEALER WANTS TO $100 TO TROUBLESHOOT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: May 2019
Apr 2019

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2016 MAZDA CX-5 FROM A NON-MAZDA DEALER, HOWEVER AFTER PAYING $21,000 FOR THE VEHICLE I REALIZED THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING! MY BIGGEST SURPRISE WAS WHEN I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM REPAIR IT AND FOUND OUT THE ENTIRE HEADLAMP WOULD NEED REPLACING TO THE TUNE OF $1,100 DOLLARS! TODAY I CALLED MAZDA AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY! IT IS ESPECIALLY DISTRESSING IN THAT SO MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN THE CARS ARE STILL UNDER 30,000 MILES! I HOPE SOMEONE CAN DO SOMETHING, MAZDA SHOULD HELP CUSTOMERS IN THIS WAY, SINCE THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: May 2019
Sep 2018

RADIO START AND FEW SECONDS LATER IT SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Aug 2018
Aug 2018

PASSENGER'S SIDE LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT FAILURE. I HAD THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE SAME ISSUE PREVIOUSLY. VEHICLE HAS 32XXX MILES NOW AND THE SAME LED DRL LIGHT FAILED AGAIN., I HAVE YET TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER (NOTICED IT TODAY)

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Aug 2018
Oct 2017

INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM REBOOTS NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER ENGINE IS STARTED AND CONTINUES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR. DURING REBOOT CYCLE, RADIO, NAVIGATION, AND OTHER FUNCTIONS OF THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM ARE UNAVAILABLE. SYSTEM MAY REBOOT ANYWHERE BETWEEN 1 AND 10 TIMES BEFORE THE SYSTEM STABILIZES. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING, DAILY OCCURRENCE, CAN OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES IN A DAY, AND BEGAN 2 MONTHS AFTER VEHICLE DELIVERY.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 MAZDA CX-5, Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Corp.
Incident: Oct 2017

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Quick Summary

The 2016 Mazda CX-5 has 31 Electrical System complaints on file. 2 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.