Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Mazda CX-5 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that when the headlights were turned on, the passenger's side headlight failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with front passenger's headlight failure. The contact was informed that the passenger's side front headlight needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V063000 (Exterior Lighting) in 2020; however, only the front driver's side headlight was replaced at that time. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V063000 (Exterior Lighting) had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the contact noticed through a store's glass window that the daytime running lights were not functioning. The contact checked the lights and noticed that the lights would not display or activate properly. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not associated with an unknown recall due to the date the vehicle was manufactured. The failure mileage was 47,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the daytime running lights were significantly dimmed while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V063000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the driver's side headlight became inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
In 2020 I was sent a recall notice for my headlights. I took my car into Foothills Lincoln Mazda in Spokane, WA for the repair. They stated that my headlights were the wrong production dates so they did nothing for the recall yet marked the repair as "completed" according to Mazda. Now both my headlights are having issues with the daylight running lights with one light flickering and the other not working at all. I have checked the documentation that I could find for the recall and found that in the repair procedures for Mazda Recall Campaign 4320A NHTSA Recall #: 20V-063 , it states the VIN number range and production dates effected and my vehicle was in the range for both. I contacted the dealer about this and they told me to contact Mazda customer service. I contacted Mazda customer service and they stated that the repair was marked completed in their system. …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The daytime running light (DRL) failed and stopped working. It is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Other cars won't be able to see my car during the daytime. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? There is a Mazda reference number for the recall is 4320A. There is also a NHTSA campaign number 20V063. NHTSA 20V063: [redacted] Mazda 4320A: [redacted] Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, we can see the daytime running lights not working Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? …
Mazda issued a safety recall (Mazda safety recall 4320A, NHTSA campaign number 20V-063) to address daytime running light flickering/failure. At the time, only the passenger side daytime running light was replaced under the recall by Mazda, with a gasket/gas absorption sheet being installed on the driver's side. The driver's side daytime running light is now flickering/dim. Mazda did not repair the safety defect properly on the driver's side for the daytime running lights under Mazda safety recall 4320A, NHTSA campaign number 20V-063, because Mazda only installed the gasket/gas absorption sheets that have since failed, causing the daytime running lights to flicker, increasing the risk of crash. Mazda has refused to cover the cost for replacement of the daytime running lights per safety recall notice 4320A / NHTSA 20V-063, even though replacement of these lights is covered by the recall. …
Part 573 Safety Recall Report 20V-063 Manufacturer Name : Mazda North American Operations Submission Date : FEB 06, 2020 NHTSA Recall No. : 20V-063 Manufacturer Recall No. : 4320A [redacted] My vehicle was impacted by this yet I never received notice from Mazda and when asking the dealership and Mazda USA to honor the repair I was told it was not covered. Mazda has also issues two TSBs regarding the issue, I inquired while the vehicle was under warranty but they said the issue was not covered. TSB [redacted] and TSB [redacted]. Only now did I find out about the TSBs and the NHTSA recall and the vehicle is out of warranty.
We brought our vehicle into Mazda Dealer in 2021 for campaign 20V-063(2016 CX-5 - Daytime Running Lights May Fail - Safety Recall 4320A). Our vehicle had one of the lights completely inoperable and the other flickered intermittently. Upon inspection by the dealer, they only repaired the inoperable light-unit and was unable to replicate the issue with the other light. However, the previously intermittent light is now completely inoperable and the dealer will no longer honor the repair since the campaign is closed. Please advise next steps to facilitate a repair. Thank you for your time and consideration regarding this matter.
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V063000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer several times and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 CX-5 vehicles. The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may fail while driving.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlights, and replace the sealing gasket or headlight assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2020.
Headlight complaints in other CX-5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2016 Mazda CX-5?
NHTSA has 161 complaints about the lights of the 2016 Mazda CX-5, 32% of the model year's 510 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Mazda CX-5 headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-063 (headlights, Feb 6, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Mazda CX-5 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.