2016 Mazda CX-5 · symptom sheet
Headlights too dim or fail
- 88owner reports
- 40,000median miles
- $1,200median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jul 29, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
161 of the 510 complaints on this car are about the exterior lighting. 88 of those describe headlights, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 CX-5.
Tick what matches of 88 reports
Headlights on other CX-5 years
No other CX-5 model year has enough reports of headlights for a sheet of its own. See every CX-5 year.
What this problem usually is
Headlight complaints fall into two camps. In one, a headlight goes out, often more than once, or fills with moisture behind the lens. In the other, the lights work exactly as built and the owner still can't see the road at night because the beam is too dim or too short. Owners in that second camp often report a dealer telling them it's normal.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the headlight assembly (82 reports) and the bulb (11 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the exterior lighting covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may fail while driving.
All 5 recalls on the 2016 Mazda CX-5, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
What owners paid
63 of the 88 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,000 to $1,300.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 30,000 and 53,000 miles, from the 73 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 8 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Mazda CX-5 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/taillight) combination lights.
Some vehicles may have DTC C1001:92 stored in memory. DTC C1001:92 sets as a past record for low visibility of the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC). It does not mean there is an actual FSC defect.
Some customers may notice that the Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) and High Beam Control (HBC) (amber) warning lights are on when they start driving around dusk or dawn under low temperatures.
When dealing with customer complaints of excessive condensation and/or water within the headlamp unit, first determine if all the bulb sockets (including O-ring), seals and covers are present and correctly installed.
4 more on the 2016 Mazda CX-5 page.
What owners wrote
“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.”
Filed Oct 9, 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.”
Filed Jan 29, 2024
“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.”
Filed Aug 26, 2022
“Low beam/ high beam still work normal, but the daytime running light is stop working.”
Filed Aug 1, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 88 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 69 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 41 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 30 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 25 reports