2016 Mazda CX-5 electrical problems
71 of the 510 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Mazda CX-5 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). Filed under the same heading: 182 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA complaint database4 of the 71 reports a crash · 5 a fire · 3 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2015: 5 · 2016: 3 · 2017: 7 · 2018: 8 · 2019: 10 · 2020: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 4 · 2025: 8 · 2026: 6
Half of the 34 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 10,000 and 50,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
510 complaints in all about the 2016 Mazda CX-5, 6 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Electrical System” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Mazda CX-5 electrical problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The automatic locking does not always work. I agree with complaints 1090985 and 10885776 in that it seems to be fine 90% of the time, which lulls you into a false sense of security. Now, I make sure that he lights flash as I walk away.
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.
The GPS installed in this auto frequently doesn't work. Often when it boots up, but also often it loses location while driving. You can detect this if it puts you into an absurd place, like the middle of the ocean. But often it puts you on a road where you aren't. This is definitely a safety problem. Dealer cannot fix
While driving the vehicle, the infotainment system abruptly turned off. Shortly thereafter and immediately after activating the turn signal the car stalled. The vehicle seemed to have completely turned off and coasted to a stop. The car then restarted and the check engine light was on
2016 Mazda Cx-5. Consumer writes in regards to power steering failure, brake system failure and other electrical system failures. The consumer stated she experienced catastrophic electrical failure twice within two months and the dealer had no idea how to fix it. The failure caused issues with the power steering, and brakes.
What is on file about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications182 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- SA-021-26 Service bulletinApr 4, 2026
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs and bulletin(s) listed below: The changes are noted below in red. SA-010/23 02/09/23 DESCRIPTION Some customers may experience one or more electrical malfunctions after a vehicle body repair. A newly painted fender stay (2) may be causing a poor front harness (1) ground connection. The front fender stay (2) newly painted surface at ground poi
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0301 P0302 C1001 P0300 P011A P2610 P0303 P0304
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Mazda CX-5 names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Mazda CX-5
Source: the same files- exterior lighting problems 161 complaints
- brake problems 69 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 51 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre electrical problems common on the 2016 Mazda CX-5?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 71 owner complaints naming the electrical system on this model year (14% of everything owners filed about it), and 182 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the 2016 Mazda CX-5?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 4 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do electrical problems show up on the 2016 Mazda CX-5?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 34,900 miles; half of them between 10,000 and 50,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.