2016 Mazda CX-5 exterior lighting problems
161 of the 510 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Mazda CX-5 name the exterior lights (NHTSA’s “Exterior Lighting” heading — as ODI groups the complaints it receives). Filed under the same heading: 1 recall. 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 exterior lights
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 161 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2015: 1 · 2017: 6 · 2018: 30 · 2019: 73 · 2020: 22 · 2021: 14 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2025: 2
Half of the 119 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the exterior lighting problem between 33,000 and 54,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
510 complaints in all about the 2016 Mazda CX-5, 2 filed in 2025. 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 “Exterior Lighting” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Mazda CX-5 exterior lighting problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the exterior lights. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
LED daytime running lights flicker dimly and then don't work. Can't replace them unless you replace the entire lighting assembly
The left front headlight on the vehicle is flickering and sometimes goes out. This headlight is known to have issues and based on the part numbers from Mazda, it has been redesigned multiple times in the past 2 years.
Shortly after going over 36,000 miles (standard warranty expiration) the driver's side daytime running light (DRL) led's dimmed and then flicker continuously. This should be a simple LED bulb, transformer, or ballast replacement, but the Mazda dealership quoted $1,275 dollars to replace the entire headlight assembly.
Purchased new, passenger-side headlight LED lights flickered and then went out after ~18 months. Replaced under warranty. Six to eight months later, driver-side headlight LED lights have the same problem. Replaced under warranty
I noticed recently in traffic that only one of my running lights was reflecting on the back of the car in front of me. I did some research and found a lot of stories of this light going out prematurely, and the repair is costly since the entire headlight unit needs to be replaced.
What is on file about the exterior lights
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 20V063000 ModerateFeb 6, 2020 · 36,761 vehicles
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 CX-5 vehicles. The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may fail while driving.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Mazda CX-5
Source: the same files- electrical problems 71 complaints
- brake problems 69 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 51 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre exterior lighting problems common on the 2016 Mazda CX-5?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 161 owner complaints naming the exterior lights on this model year (32% of everything owners filed about it), and 1 recall is 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 exterior lights on the 2016 Mazda CX-5?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 20V063000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do exterior lighting problems show up on the 2016 Mazda CX-5?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 40,000 miles; half of them between 33,000 and 54,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Exterior Lighting" heading cover?
The area of the vehicle ODI files the complaint under. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.