While attempting to pull into a parking space with a 2016 Mazda cx-5 (7000 miles) all of the warning lights on the dashboard lit up and the car started accelerating on its own (unintended acceleration). The brakes would not work! In an attempt to avoid the car parked in front of me I swerved to the right, unfortunately I hit the parked car with enough force to moved it about 12 feet forward. My…
2016 Mazda CX-5 powertrain problems
severe 49 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
49
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
5crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 49 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Mazda CX-5, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 12 model years of Mazda CX-5 we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 49.
Owners have filed 49 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The transmission needed to be replaced after 1,525 miles. Today, after 1,600 miles the driver's window automatic up/down function stopped working.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 Mazda CX-5?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 Mazda CX-5?
It's a meaningful issue. 49 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 35 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 3,200 and 24,800 miles, with the median around 6,632. A quarter of owners report trouble before 3,200; a quarter make it past 24,800. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Mazda/CX-5.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.