7.4
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $1,050
- Average Mileage:
- 45,100 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 56 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace headlight assembly (25 reports)
- replace headlamp (15 reports)
- not sure (14 reports)
- official recall (2 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Mazda dealer.
Driver’s side LED daytime running light dimming/flickering on my 2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring. I started researching solutions to the problem and was shocked to discover the exorbitant cost (average of $1,200) involved, and the necessity of having to replace the entire headlight assembly.
Seeing the vast number of complaints from others with the same issue seems to signify a poorly designed/manufactured part on Mazda’s end. It kind of makes me wish I’d settled for the Touring edition without the LED light package. I would love to see Mazda recall this or offer replacement assistance on a known issue but it seems unlikely that they would be willing to do the right thing.
- Larry B., McCordsville, US
In November 2021 the recall for the DRL was completed by Mazda. The driver's side light was replaced and the passenger side had a new gasket put in. In a little over 5000 miles, the passenger side has failed.
- Susan L., Hillsboro, US
When driving, my lights stated flickering and that was it.
- Edwin P., SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico
Noticed flickering of passenger side head light while stopped behind another car at traffic light. Got home and inspected, found the DRL part of the light flickering. Next day when only the DRL is ON, it was still flickering and still is. Mazda dealer I purchased the car from said it is not cover under warranty. I was even more surprised when I did online search and found it has happened to many other CX-5 of the same model year.
Disappointed with Mazda for this, they should replace the headlight under warranty.
- mauricoquitonymm, Plattsburgh, US
I noticed halo running light (rider side) out on 2016 CX-5 Grand touring with Sky Activ technology by reflection in a shop window at about 29,000. Other posts say dealership charges 1200+ to replace. Hope my regular mechanic can do it cheaper. I thought Mazda had a good reputation as a well designed car. Lesson learned! Car has all the other safety bells and whistles and was test vehicle for IIHS. Other things work - for now.
- George C., Rochelle, US
I have purchased a brand new 2016 Mazda CX 5 Grand Touring. Recently, I noticed that my running light is flickering and brought it to the dealership. I came to FOUND OUT that in order to fix that issue, it has to cost $954 USD. Shouldn’t that just be a light change or a bulb replacement? Instead customers are slapped with a hefty amount because the whole panel has to be replaced.
I believe this shouldn’t be happening considering it’s only a 3 year-old car and well maintained. It should last at least 10 years, that’s what LED lights are supposed to do. Mazda should take responsibility on this engineering error. Please comment on your thoughts.
Mazda should address this since it's #1 issue and a safety hazard.
- Lindy L., Orange Park, US
The full headlight unit has to be replaced when a light bulb goes out on 2016 Mazda CX5. I had to replace both front headlights which cost me over 2k. I wish there was a recall. I feel I have been cheated because the dealer never mentioned the expensive fix when I bought the car new.
- Joseph M., Holmdel, US
The passenger side day lights are flickering and getting dimmer. It's very expensive to replace. Mazda wants a 150 dollar diagnostics fee and then 1200 dollars to replace.
I agree with others. If not fixed by Mazda, Mazda will NOT be my next car of choice. Take ownership, Mazda, or have the OEM own it for defective part(s). Any contact with Mazda dealers and HQ are a total waste of time with no help or insight.
- Duane B., Raleigh, NC, US
When the car was 2 years old and at about 20,000 miles, the passenger side running lights quit working. The dealer fixed it under warranty and I saw the repair ticket cost of $1,200.00. Now the car is out of warranty by 7 months and 6,000+ miles and the driver side running lights have quit working. Neither one of these should have malfunctioned in such a short time or ever. There is clearly a defect in the device that goes back to the car's build and the repair should be the responsibility of Mazda.
- legacy1722, Aurora, US
I bought this car for $21,000 from a Jaguar Landrover dealer. They said they got it on a trade-in. A week later when I had the lights on auto, someone stopped me and told me my passenger light was out! I found out it is the daytime running light that requires the entire headlamp to be replaced! I can’t prove it was out when I bought the car, but I wonder? Now I hear the cost of replacing it is about $1,000+. The car's warranty is out, 29,500 miles and it was purchased in 2015!
I’m going to call Mazda to see if I have any recourse!
- Linda M., Brookfield, US
Common issue for the 2016 CX-5. Seems like headlights (even though just Daytime Running Lights) should get a safety issue or is warranting a recall.
Update from Jan 20, 2020: Car was in to have CMU replaced (separate complaint) and Service Tech notice flickering Daytime Running Light. He suggested keeping an eye on it since it will not pass Safety Inspection. I told him it was a common complaint online with the CX-5 and asked him to contact Mazda to see if they would cover the part. If it won’t pass NH State Inspection, then it is definitely a safety issue. We’ll see what Mazda says. Otherwise, I am happy that Mazda stepped up and paid for faulty CMU.
Update from Jan 30, 2020: Dealer (Werner Mazda, Manchester, NH) called and said that Mazda will cover the headlight replacement under ‘goodwill’. There will be a $127 labor charge. So far, I am very pleased with this dealer’s service department. I purchased the vehicle elsewhere and the warranty had expired.
- David S., Windham, NH, US
The LED daytime running lights failed on the passenger side of the car. I assumed it would be an easy fix to simply replace some bulbs.
I have since found that I need to replace the entire headlamp assembly, which has a list price of over $800, and then with having to remove the bumper assembly to replace it, the total cost with labor will be well above $1000. This is just to fix a broken light!
Absolutely ridiculous, and I need to fix it since Daytime Running Lights are an important safety aid.
This is our 4th Mazda we have owned. My wife and I both currently drive 2016 Mazdas (MX5 and a CX5). We are very disappointed in this poor design and feel Mazda should extend the warranty on a car that is only just over 3 years old.
Update from Feb 15, 2020: Recall baby!!!!!!
- wooand, Toano, US
We checked and reviewed all of the complaints, and heeded one suggestion to go to Mazda Customer Care.
We were advised by Mazda Service that the cost of each headlight assembly would be $1300 due to being ‘out of warranty’. Mazda Customer Care worked with me so I would not jump on claimant list for the pending Class Action Suit... they assisted with the cost and I paid $272.50 for each headlight... they were very kind and efficient.
I love my car! I appreciate Mazda Customer Care. I just wish they would issue a TSB and recall the headlights for everyone. It’s ironic that the lights are a problem as soon as you are no longer under warranty!
- Rose V., Idyllwild, CA, US
Bought the car in March 2020 and noticed the left running light strobing. Called the dealership and found out there was a recall for defect. I put my name on the list and told there would be a fix soon. It is now November and no contact - I have called twice to see if Mazda had a fix and was told it will be just a few more months.
- Tom M., Arlington, US
We are senior citizens and purchased this vehicle thinking it would be our last. We love this suv but feel like the led lights going out in the headlight on our passenger side is a safety defect & should be fixed by Mazda dealership. The cost associated with this fix was quoted to be about $1200, As most senior citizens we do not have extra money for this type of repair cost, The suv was still under warranty when we purchased, but was told this problem was not included in our warranty. So it remains unfixed at this time. Mazda should stand by their products and issue a recall to fix this design flaw.
- jekel, Louisville, US
Many complaints filed regarding this issue. Mazda should issue a recall and fix the problem.
- Rich B., San Jose, CA, US
Daytime running lights on one of the headlights is flickering/starting to fail at just under 75,000 miles. Dealership wants $1,100 to replace the entire headlight. This is a safety feature and therefore a safety issue. The design in itself isn't flawed if and when the LED's last as long as they're supposed to, the life if the vehicle. But since these are failing and the only resolution is to replace the entire headlight unit at a cost prohibitive $1,100+/-, then Mazda needs to realize they screwed up and do right by the consumer. If a recall is not issued this will be our last Mazda and will make sure to let everyone we know to avoid them as well.
- Jorge M., Charlotte, NC, US
Contacted Mazda Customer Service about the DRL issue that just occurred at 39k miles. Nothing sure yet but am hopeful they will take care of this. Promised a response by next week.
- Anne R., Pensacola, Fl, US
We purchased on our 2016 cx-5 at the end of 2017 with 44,000. It is only a touring but had the technology package for the nice headlights(which I regret). The car was delivered to us and on inspection the passenger side drl was out. I knew to look thanks to car complaints. Dealer fixed it free of charge. Less than 2 years later and now the drivers drl is off. Not sure if it will pass inspection.
The value of the vehicle is still excellent for what we paid, but wish Mazda would fix this issue. If one were to keep this car for 150k miles they could presume to replace each headlight twice...amounting to over 4k for headlights!
- Devin B., Kittery, ME, US
The passenger side LED running light will not turn on, it just flat out stopped working like everyone else has described. First my transmission went out at 5,000 miles, now a $1000+ fix for a measly LED light?! This is outrageous. How can there not be a recall for such a consistent problem? So convenient for Mazda that this problem happens shortly after the 3yr warranty expires.
- Kyle L., Portland, OR, US