RoadVitals

2016 Mazda CX-5 Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
161
Latest Aug 20, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
32%
of 510 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Mazda CX-5 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 161 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

The 25 most recent of 161, in the owner's own words

Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 20, 2025

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. Both a Mazda dealer and Mazda corporate customer service have been contacted regarding this issue and both have refused to provide the remedy as outlined in the safety recall. Mazda has provided an estimate of $1,466 to replace the daytime running lights. Attached Documents: -Correspondence with Mazda where Mazda's refuses to cover work -Estimate from Mazda to perform work -Original invoice from recall work performed (gasket kit on driver side only, not full light replacement)

NHTSA ID
11681765
Incident
Mar 26, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 29, 2025

Only one headlight was addressed by dealer in repair for 4320A | NHTSA #20V-063 and they're refusing to cover the other side. The other DRL led light is now out from seemingly the same cause. They stated they did not fully follow the procedure in the documents I found regarding this recall when they repaired the first one because they "pre authorized" the swap of one side on "good faith" so there is not a record I can cite around the serial or lot numbers of the new or old lights on my own.

NHTSA ID
11676964
Incident
Jul 28, 2025
Exterior lightingVisibility
Filed Oct 9, 2024

The controls on the Windshield Wiper/Headlight Control Stalk are not visible when driving at night. The setting markings on the Control Stalk are completely dark at night. This creates a safety hazard when driving at night in the rain and turning on your windshield wipers or changing your headlight settings is needed.

NHTSA ID
11619012
Incident
Oct 9, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 7, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11607073
Incident
Aug 7, 2022
Mileage
60,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 12, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11593874
Incident
Apr 12, 2024
Mileage
100,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 8, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11587714
Incident
May 8, 2024
Mileage
47,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 29, 2024

Headlights are exceptionally dim, especially low beams. Recall for other models within same year not considered valid for this particular car. Ongoing but has gotten worse.

NHTSA ID
11568627
Incident
Jan 28, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 9, 2024

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 [XXX] 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 [XXX] and TSB [XXX]. Only now did I find out about the TSBs and the NHTSA recall and the vehicle is out of warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11564441
Incident
Dec 10, 2016
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 9, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID
11554411
Incident
Sep 1, 2023
Mileage
62,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 16, 2023

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: [XXX] Mazda 4320A: [XXX] 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? No, there were no warnings, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure. It happened a few weeks ago. I have called Mazda and they tell me it is not part of recall. My VIN number is in the range of the VIN numbers affected. Mazda refused to fix this recall issue because my VIN number is not associated with this recall. This is a safety issue and I want my VIN number to be added to this recall VIN list. Thank you, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11538974
Incident
Aug 9, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 8, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID
11516119
Incident
Apr 8, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 26, 2022

My vehicle does have an outstanding recall on the headlight. The dealership that was servicing my vehicle closed and said they had completed the recall but had not gotten to it before they closed up. Mazda says it's my problem they did the recall. My light does not work.

NHTSA ID
11481358
Incident
Aug 26, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 1, 2022

Low beam/ high beam still work normal, but the daytime running light is stop working.

NHTSA ID
11476938
Incident
Jul 4, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed May 25, 2022

By late October 2021, my right light started to flick, then my lower (normal night light) light stopped working.

NHTSA ID
11466075
Incident
Oct 31, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 6, 2022

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. I sent them documentation showing that the dealer didn't do any repairs. They said that the production dates didn't fit. I showed them my VIN and production dates along with the repair procedure showing that my VIN and dates fit the recall. They then stated that the lights themselves didn't fit. I sent them more pictures illustrating that it did. This process has gone on for two months now and they are saying that it doesn't fit the recall but can provide no documentation to me as to what the effected VIN numbers are or the production dates are that my vehicle doesn't meet. Can someone please assist me with this issue as I have a one year old daughter and I am concerned with the safety of my vehicle?

NHTSA ID
11459871
Incident
Feb 7, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 30, 2021

I received a notice from NHTSA (Campaign No. 20V-063) in May 2020 regarding a recall on daytime running lights due a problem with flickering or not lighting at all. A local dealership changed the lights in September 2020 at no charge to me. Now in September 2021 I see that the passenger side DRL is flickering constantly.

NHTSA ID
11435059
Incident
Sep 15, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 31, 2021

LED daytime running lights (DRLs) failing while driving. Recall don for similar vehicles (4320A recall). This could impact the ability for pedestrians or nearby vehicles to see the SUV, particularly in low-light conditions when the low- or high-beam headlights aren't in use.

NHTSA ID
11431234
Incident
Aug 23, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 25, 2021

LED daytime running lights. 1 is sporadic/ flickering, and the other one is now out/ inoperable, soon the flickering one will go also. Making the vehicle harder to see by other drivers. Mazda has a recall # 4320A but my vin# is excluded? I have the same parts/ model #s as the recall! An extension of the recall, out to include my vin# would be appropriate.

NHTSA ID
11430475
Incident
Jul 1, 2020
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 30, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11427127
Incident
Jul 30, 2019
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 13, 2021

2016 Mazda CX-5 Daytime Running Light may fail THE CONSUMER STATED THE LIGHTS FAILED. THEY WERE REPLACED BUT, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED SAFETY RECALL 4320A NHTSA 20V-063.

NHTSA ID
11424557
Incident
May 26, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 8, 2021

2016 MAZDA CX-5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS FAILURE SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL BUT, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL 4320A NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 20V-063. THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID
11423888
Incident
Jul 8, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 29, 2021

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING

NHTSA ID
11414460
Incident
Apr 28, 2021
Driver assistanceExterior lightingSteering
Filed Apr 13, 2021

THE FOLLOWING WARNING AND WARNING LIGHTS BEGAN AROUND 34,980 MILES ON MY 2016.5 MAZDA CX-5 GRAND TOURING 2.5L SKYACTIV-G WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE: MASTER WARNING LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, POWER STEERING, KEYLESS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, SMART CITY BRAKE SUPPORT MALFUNCTION, FORWARD SCBS DISABLED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TCS/DSC INDICATOR LIGHT, TCS OFF INDICATOR LIGHT, BLIND SPOT MONITORING (BSM) OFF INDICATION, BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, ABS WARNING LIGHT, ELECTRIC BRAKE WARNING LIGHT, AIR BAG/FRONT SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, LED HEADLIGHT WARNING LIGHT, AND THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF. USING THE LEFT BLINKER WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLES POWER TO RESTART AND YES, WHILE DRIVING! THIS STARTED NOVEMBER 14, 2020 AND WHEN I NOTIFIED MAZDA, THEY DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED AND A COUPLE DAYS LATER THE LIGHT WERE NO LONGER THERE. THIS OCCURRED AGAIN DECEMBER 15, 2020 AND MARCH 5, 2021 WHEN I DECIDED MAZDA NEEDS TO RUN A DIAGNOSIS BECAUSE CLEARLY SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT. MY DEALERSHIP INSISTED IT WAS MY BATTERY (BASICALLY THE ONLY WARNING LIGHT NOT ON) AND MY REAR BRAKE PADS. THEN WHEN THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE, THEY SAID CORROSION NEEDED TO BE CLEANED WHICH WAS NOT SHOWN IN THE VEHICLE INSPECTION VIDEO. ALSO, MY CAR WAS JUST SERVICED AT MY MAZDA DEALERSHIP JULY 2020 WITH 33,706 MILES. SEPTEMBER 2020 MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND I RETURNED TO A LARGE CRACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE. AROUND 25,000 THE TIRED NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, NOW AT 36,666 MILES TIRE THREAD DEPTH IS IN THE YELLOW' MY VEHICLE ALIGNMENT HAS ZERO ISSUES AND MY MAZDA DEALERSHIP IS THE ONLY ONE WHO ROTATES THE TIRES (OR SUPPOSE TO).

NHTSA ID
11407988
Incident
Nov 14, 2020
Mileage
34,980 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 12, 2021

TL* 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 WALSER MAZDA BURNSVILLE SERVICE (14720 BUCK HILL RD, BURNSVILLE, MN 55306; (952) 892-9850) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11402651
Incident
Mar 1, 2020
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 1, 2021

MAZDA IS NOT FIXING A KNOWN ISSUE FROM A RECALL ISSUED A YEAR AGO FOR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. FEB 06,2020 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER4320A NHTSA RECALL NUMBER20V-063 ONE OF MY DRLS HAS BEEN BURNED OUT FOR OVER A YEAR. MAZDA SAYS THEY DON'T HAVE PARTS AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL. IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR. FURTHERMORE, THE DEALER WILL NOT PROMISE TO PRIORITIZE FIXING ISSUES ON CARS WHERE THE LIGHTS ALREADY BROKEN, WHEN THE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, WHICH MEANS OWNERS WITH WORKING LIGHTS MAY GET THEIR RECALL REPAIR BEFORE I DO, WHICH IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT CAN I DO??

NHTSA ID
11398583
Incident
Mar 1, 2021

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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