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Engine & cooling

2016 Mazda CX-5 Engine problems

Owners have filed 39 complaints about the 2016 Mazda CX-5's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 8% of all its complaints, most recently on May 28, 2026. They describe 6 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Crashes
6
Fires
2
Injuries
2
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic diagnosed with a sensor failure and needing to replace a catalytic converter. The oxygen sensors were repalced.r was replaced by an independent mechanic. The vehicle stalled while reversing. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 131,860.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · EngineNHTSA 11740585
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & coolingFuel systemCrash

My wife was driving our 2016 Mazda CX-5, and was getting ready to pull into our daughters' driveway. My wife slowed down to a stop before entering the driveway. She gave the vehicle some gas to move forward. She stated that there was a pause, then the vehicle accelerated forward slamming into the garage door and the corner of the garage/house. There was also a Tesla parked inside the garage that was knocked back about a foot and a half. The distance from the edge of driveway and street to the garage door is about...

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27 feet. This happened at 1:30 PM. The weather conditions were great, sunny and dry. Thankfully, no one was hurt. If my wife was another foot to the right, she would have hit the support post for the upper balcony, and there would have been a good chance of the balcony falling on top of her. Or, if someone was standing in front of my wife when she entered the driveway, they could have seriously been hurt! There were no warning lights on prior to the accident. This happened last Sunday, April 19, 2026. We had the car towed to a local body shop on the same day as the accident. The vehicle was towed away the very next day to our insurance company's salvage lot in Bakersfield. I do have all the information, address and phone number, of the lot where our car was towed to. Hopefully, the car can still be inspected by the proper authorities. Thank you for your time!

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11734199
Engine & cooling

Vehicle was taken to an authorized Mazda dealership for 60,000-mile service; coolant system drained and refilled. Immediately after service, check engine light illuminated (P011A - engine coolant temperature sensor correlation issue). Dealership retained vehicle, drove ~300 miles, performed a second coolant flush; issue persisted. Dealer determined heater core clogged, attributed to coolant contamination/corrosion introduced during service. Another CX-5 at the same dealership experienced the same issue. Safety...

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Concerns: Heater and coolant system failure may affect cabin comfort and engine temperature monitoring. Occurred immediately after authorized service, suggesting procedural or system-related defect. Noted in Mazda Technical Service Bulletin 07-007/19 as a known issue. Attempts at Resolution: Mazda offered partial goodwill assistance (~$775-$875) and assigned partial responsibility to the customer. Multiple attempts to escalate with Mazda Customer Experience (Case manager Betty) have not resulted in a satisfactory resolution. Dublin Mazda dealership service department, Mr. Frank Gozales (866-502-9912) mentioned original coolant by Mazda has caused this issue on 2016, and 2017 Mazda CX5 and is Mazda problem. I am requesting NHTSA review of this issue for potential defect or safety investigation.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11728567
Engine & cooling

The vehicle's air conditioner expansion valve is defective/malfunctioning. While driving the vehicle with the air conditioning operating a loud whooting noise fills the interior of the vehicle. The noise sounds like the siren/hooting sound the police make when they want you to pull over or get out of their way. But the sound is loud and comes from inside the car jarring the driver and passengers. I purchased the car in early 2017 new. I first noticed the AC issue in the summer of 2018. I brought it up to...

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Herzog-meir mazda (where i bought the car) when scheduling an oil change. they said they could not replicate it and so there was nothing they could do. I brought it to them at least 4 times with the same issue. Each time they sent me on my way and said they couldn't replicate it. I brought it up to Foothills Mazda in Spokane in 2023 and again they said that they couldn't replicate it and sent me on my way. This past august i had to schedule the car for an update covered by a class action lawsuit and had them look at the noise issue again. Prior to scheduling I has research online if others have had the issue and low and behold lots of mazda owners have. It is a known issue that mazda has created a "helpline" to deal with it. So I brought it up while scheduling it and asked to make sure they researched the AC expansion valve prior to my appointment (more than a month out). The Mazda lady that scheduled my appointment heard the noise several times with I was idiling the car and finishing scheduling the appointment. The first available appointment wasn't until Oct 1st so of course it wasn't hot enough outside to replicate the situation that causes the noise. Again, they charged my the diagnostic fee and sent me on my way. [[redacted]] [[redacted]] [[redacted]] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11692423
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. The contact pulled over to the side of the road before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that the engine had failed due to a lack of maintenance. The contact...

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stated that the vehicle was equipped with an automatic reminder regarding the oil change. The contact stated that the oil change reminder failed to illuminate to indicate that the oil level was extremely low. The check engine warning light also failed to illuminate. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11680704
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Keyless entry stopped working, key fob battery replaced as well as car battery. Coolant issues. Heater core and sensors

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11663708
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

The engine light constantly appears along with the "Schedule Maintenance Soon" light. Taken to dealership many times within my 3 month warranty and no definite reason was given.The vehicle rides very bumpy though sway bar was inspected and supposedly repaired by dealership during my 3 month warranty.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11660577
Engine & cooling

Water pump failed causing coolant leaked into engine causing major engine damage

Filed Incident Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11655355
Engine & cooling

The car engine is eating oil. There were no warning lights on the dash to indicate this. i happened to check the oil and it was 3 quarts low. This could have caused the engine to malfunction while driving if not caught in time. This started around 70K miles. Coffmans Service Center in Warminster, Pa has confirmed the car was spraying oil on [[redacted]] and performed a clean combustion chamber with iridium spark plugs, replaced intake manifold gaskets and PCV valve, and Ow-20 oil and new filter. I contacted the...

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manufacturer on [[redacted]] case # [[redacted]] and it was dismissed. I did read online that this Mazda car has had a problem with eating oil around the 70K mile mark. The problem is still occurring. I read that there was a class action lawsuit against Mazda. [[redacted]] et al v. oil Mazda motor of America. However, the class action lawsuit doesn't include the 2016. I think it starts around 2021. I uploaded the receipt for the repair on an older complaint. the complaint number for that one is: 11627409. Currently there are over 450 complaints on the 2016 Mazda CX5 on the NHTSA website. Can we get a recall on this? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11644848
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel systemCrash

I was driving on a city street and slowed to turn right onto a driveway at at a private residence. As my car entered the driveway and near the end of the right turn, my car had a sudden unintended uncontrolled acceleration, continued the turn, went over a low hedge of shrubs on the right side of the driveway, continued down a short rocky incline, and landed on a large rock where the car stopped.

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11634639
Engine & cooling

The car engine is eating oil. There were no warning lights on the dash to indicate this. I happened to check the oil, and it was 3 quarts low. This could have caused the engine to malfunction while driving if not caught in time. This started around 70K miles. Coffmans Service in Warminster, PA has confirmed the car was spraying oil on [[redacted]] and performed a clean combustion chamber with iridium spark plugs, replaced intake manifold gaskets and PCV valve, and ow-20 oil and new filter. I contacted the...

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manufacturer on 10/17/2024 case# [[redacted]] and it was dismissed. I did read online that this mazda has a problem with eating oil around 70K miles. The problem still is occurring at an extremely low rate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11627409
Engine & cooling

Catastrophic engine failure. Needs a total engine replacement, regular oil changes. We went to get the oil changed within 1,000 miles of the suggested mileage range and it was "out of oil". The dealership told us we needed a new engine. It hasn't been driven and sounds like a helicopter when turned on. We have had regular maintenance on the vehicle, one owner. It started acting up and was trying to stall out on the highway. Then seized up and wouldn't go over 10mph. It's totaled and we feel strongly that this is an extension of the current lawsuit covering many years of Mazda models.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11611891
Engine & cooling

My daughter was driving her 2016 CX5 when the coolant temperature warning message displayed on the instrument panel, advising her to pull over immediately. She had just driven on to the expressway, but luckily was still in the right lane and was able to pull over safely. If she had been in any other lane of the busy highway when this occurred it could have been a serious safety issue for my daughter and the other drivers on the highway. I contacted AAA to tow the car to my local mechanic. The service tech reported...

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that they began by plugging their diagnostic tool into the car and they received two engine codes: P111A-00 and P011A, and that a software update must be performed first. I had the car towed to Turnersville Mazda. They said that there would be a $215 per hour diagnostic fee. They found that the thermostat needed to be replaced as it failed to open during engine operation. This service incurred a $397.55 cost. After replacing it they noticed that a milky substance was produced, indicating motor oil mixing with coolant. They recommended replacing the engine due to a crack in the cylinder head at a cost of $10,300. For some reason the service tech elected to replace the spark plugs and update the software AFTER the catastrophic engine issue was discovered, incurring an additional $330 in charges. Prior to this incident there were no issues with the vehicle, no warning lamps or symptoms of any kind.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11603978
Engine & cooling

Bolt from inside engine blew out, putting hole in engine block

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11594012
Engine & cooling

Car was having trouble with pickup and was making a subtle recurrent noise. Sped up after turning a corner and engine just sputtered out and car came to a complete stop within seconds. The engine light never came on and the engine did not overheat. Car would not turnover to start after that. Car was towed to an independent garage where they stated engine failure. Was then towed to a garage that can handle engine issues where it was declared a total loss and catastrophic engine failure.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11591606
Engine & cooling

Changed my oil and the next day the engine blew, maintained exactly how the manufacturer suggests, but somehow the engine blew.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11580250
Engine & cooling

First symptom, no heat coming out of heater vent took to shop to investigate and found antifreeze in the oil . Cylinder head removed and found a nonreparable crack In the cylinder head. I'll maintenance up todaye, Engine never overheated ,no symptoms, just suddenly Blowing cold air from the heat vent. $7300 estimate 2 fix.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11571922
Engine & coolingFuel system

The check engine light came on when I was in my way home. This morning when I started my car, the engine reved on its own and then it went to 0. This is super dangerous. The car could have stopped in the middle of the freeway. I had my car towed to a local mechanic. The error code that came up was p0192. Looks like there is a recall for the fuel pump issue for many mazda, yet mine isn't part of it.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11492456
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Car: 2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring with approximately 39,000 miles. Issue: Burning smell coming from engine compartment- Oil leaking from engine. Problem: Cracked cylinder head as diagnosed by dealer and to be replaced under Mazda Power Train Warranty. Safety was a concern not knowing the issue. Concerned of engine failure, fire, and overall safety. Warnings: No warnings or check engine light was also concerning. Time frame: 10/1/22 evening- noticed slight burning smell which lasted only a few minutes. No evidence...

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of oil leaking. - 10/2/22: Slight burning smell occurred briefly on and off through out late afternoon. No evidence of oil leaking. Smell dissipated. - 10/3/22: Stronger presence of burning smell. Started to notice oil leaking from under car. - 10/4/22: Car inspected by local mechanic and advised to bring to dealer for further assessment. Mechanic observed increased oil leakage and stated oil was coming from within engine. Car towed to dealer, evaluated with a cracked cylinder head. Repair to be covered under Mazda Power Train Warranty. Additional concern: Short and Long Term residual effects on other engine components. Other reports: none. Awareness: I've come to understand that there seems to be similar issues with certain model years/production runs that might not be reported due to being covered under warranty. The consumer provided the correct VIN for the vehicle.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11488724
Engine & cooling

While driving to the airport suddenly all dashboard lights came on and engine "died" during the drive about 50mph. My wife who was driving, was lucky not to get into a crash and steered the car to the side to a full stop . The tow truck driver tried to restart the engine w/o success. The garage determined it is a catastrophic engine failure and need to be replaced. About 2 weeks prior we had an engine warning light. The car was taken to our regular serviced garage and was inspected w/o any issues and light was reset. All routing maintenance has been performed by same garage. There are similar reports on the web about total engine failure of Mazda CX5 during driving!!!

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11482471
Acceleration & cruise controlWheels & tiresEngine & cooling

I own a 2016 Mazda CX-5 Touring with AWD. I purchased it brand new from a dealer--no miles on it. It's been a great car until this Sudden Unintended Acceleration problem (about 60K miles now). It's happened 5 or 6 times--twice when in a drive thru. It seems that if I am idling (not pressing on gas or brake) the car will sometimes suddenly accelerate. I have used suggestions to brake, then place car in neutral. That seemed to resolve the problem. However, recently I pulled up to my (rural) mailbox and the...

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car tried to accelerate out of control. I had the brake on (was on a downhill) when it happened, so this was scary. I really had to press down more on the brake pedal, then shifted to neutral, then to park. The acceleration finally stopped. I did not observe tachometer readings during this or other events, but will pay more attention if/when this happens in the future. I do not drive with both feet, and as these incidents have occurred I have been able to maintain more composure and analyze what is going on. I am not getting my foot caught in the mat and I'm not mistakenly pressing on the accelerator. I've been to my local Mazda dealer (Sport Durst in Durham) on May 13, 2022 and they were unable to replicate the problem, so could not repair or even troubleshoot it. The car was T-boned about a year ago, with some damage to the passenger front tire. Could that have anything to do with my problems? My partner feels this could be an issue with the Throttle Control Sensor (hardware) or with the software managing throttle control (much more difficult to diagnose, he says). I wanted to ask: for anyone experiencing this problem, did replacing the Throttle Control Sensor or diagnosing software problems resolve the issue? And, do you have any recommendations for me? Since the car is (barely) out of warranty, (just over 6 yrs/60,000 miles) would filing a claim with Mazda be a good approach? Would you suggest I just trade the car in?

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Wheels · EngineNHTSA 11476063
Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that upon depression of the brake pedal, the engine revved violently without warning. The contact would depress the brake pedal to the floorboard and place the vehicle into park(P) to prevent the vehicle from independently accelerating. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the air box was defective. The dealer repaired the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11472770
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

My problem is with the keyless start system. The problem is that if I forget to push the start button to shut down the vehicle and open the door and leave the automobile and shut the door with the key in my possession the auto will keep running until it runs out of fuel. Wouldn't it make more sense for the vehicle to shut down after 3 minutes if the key is not present. As you know people have died from carbon monoxide poisoning by parking in their garage and forgetting to shut down the vehicle and the vehicle...

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keeps running and filling their homes with carbon monoxide. This happened to a older couple in Sarasota Florida with a new car that they just purchased and were not familiar with the starting system. Just wanted to know just how many people have to die before something is done about this problem. I asked my Mazda dealer and they told me that the vehicle will run until out of fuel and basically said that I was stupid for being concerned.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11427578
Engine & cooling

Original belt tensioner was failing at 50k miles. An oem mazda belt tensioner was installed and is failing again within 1 year at 67k miles. If this fails the belt powering the water pump will fail causing a catastrophic engine failure due to overheating. Mazda has yet to issue a recall with their defective parts. If you hear any squeaking of the belts from your engine and notice any residue leaking from the tensioner get it replaced ASAP or your car could become a hazard.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11425737
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Dealer identified drive belt tensioner as leaking and in need of replacement on a Mazda CX-5 with less than 30k miles on it. Many owners have reported identical failures at or around 30k. An insufficient part that is failing so frequently, this early on with low mileage is a significant safety issue.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11421077

Mazda CX-5 engine complaints by year

CX-5 engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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