2016 Mazda CX-5 · symptom sheet
Windshield cracks or distorts
- 41owner reports
- 7,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Oct 25, 2024 · checked Oct 2, 2026
64 of the 510 complaints on this car are about the windshield and wipers. 41 of those describe windshield.
Tick what matches of 41 reports
Windshield on other CX-5 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Many windshield complaints are about cracks owners can't explain: a line that starts at the edge of the glass, or a small chip that spreads. Nearly one in five of these complaints mentions it happening again or a second windshield.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the windshield (41 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the windshield and wipers cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
The affected windshields have a bracket mounted on the inside to hold a laser sensor or LIDAR device for the Smart City Brake Support system.
All 5 recalls on the 2016 Mazda CX-5, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 3,000 and 19,000 miles, from the 31 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 11 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.
DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label. To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left area of the windshield), contact DAG (Dealer Assistance Group) ...
Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building. This may be caused by the suns reflection.
7 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
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 41 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. 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
- Headlights too dim or fail 88 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 69 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 30 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 25 reports