10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 0 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Both front headlights are making an abnormal loud whining noise which started intermittently about 6 months ago and became continuous January 2026. Took vehicle to dealership where the dealership reported that the noise may be due to contamination by a foreign matter during the manufacturing process getting inside the adaptive headlight system causing the fan motor bearings inside the headlight to wear out. MAZDA dealership in Bridgeport WV stated the fix is to replace both front headlights at a significant cost to the owner if the vehicle is outside the warranty. The only indication that there is a problem is the loud noise coming from the headlights, there has been no warning messages. MAZDA is not willing to fix the issue unless the vehicle is within warranty. My vehicle is not within the known Vins listed below having this issue and is outside of the warranty. I reached out to Mazda Corp with case # [XXX] and MAZDA Corp denied financial assistance, but stated I could work with the dealership to trade my vehicle instead of fixing the issue. MAZDA knows the issue is on these vehicles per the TSB report given to me when I took my vehicle to the dealership. Previous TSBs per the report (SA-013/23 & 09-015/23) 2020-2025 CX 30 (Mexico built) Vins lower 3MV DM **** ** 794028 (Produced before Dec., 2020) 2022-2025 CX-5 Vins lower than JM3 KF **** ** 57088 (Produced before Sep., 2024) 2025 CX-70 Vins lower than JM3 KJ**** ** 118240 (Produced before Sep., 2024) 2024-2025 CX-90 Vins lower than JM3 KK**** ** 204555 (Produced before Sep., 2024) 2022-2024 MX-30 Vins lower than JM1 DR**** ** 200939 (Produced before Apr., 2024) 2016-2024 MX-5 Vins lower than JM1 ND**** ** 610111 (Produced before Oct., 2024) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Morgantown , WV, USA
Over the past several weeks, we began hearing a pronounced noise coming from the front of the vehicle, which the dealership diagnosed as a failing motor within the driver-side headlight unit. Given that this is a critical safety component, and part of the upgraded package purchased when the vehicle was new -?" we were surprised to encounter this issue on a vehicle of 4 years and 41,540 miles. Mazda Customer Care told me to pound salt
- Chicago, IL, USA
The right headlight is very noisy. Like it is going to fail very soon. People say it's the problem with the cooling fan inside. A lot people have the same issues? Mazda should recall it ASAP
- Las Vegas , NV, USA
The LED Headline Assembly in the 2022+ CX-5 frequently malfunctions by itself causing the headlight to burn out and fail on a frequent basis. This is an unacceptable issue that is causing new car owners in lost time and money to get this poor headlight design repaired on a frequent basis. This is a known issue for this vehicle and has been frequently reported online that it really needs a recall for Mazda to change the headlight design to ensure the entire lighting system does not fail on a frequent basis. This has happened to both headlights.
- Cranford, NJ, USA
Headlight motor created a loud noise while it's on distracting driving and indicating an impending failure.This happened when the vehicle just got out of warranty (38000 miles approximately). Mazda refused to replace the headlight assembly for free. They charged for replacing it.
- Sewickley, PA, USA
Drivers side LED headlight cooling fan is making a loud buzzing noise 100% of the time when the headlight is turned on which indicates that the fan is failing. If fan fails, it will lead to overheating and failure of the headlight. Vehicle was inspected by Mazda to confirm the issue. Mazda issues Service Alert SA-013/23 and Technical Service Bulletin 09-015/23 have been issued for this problem. TSB states: Some customers may notice an abnormal noise (i.e. whine, groan, rattle or squeak) coming from the front combination lights when turning them on, or a few minutes after turning them off. The noise may be due to contamination by foreign matter during the manufacturing process. The fan motor bearing may become worn out during use. To eliminate the noise, the production process at the supplier and the material has been modified.
- Manheim, PA, USA
Headlamps Cooling Fan Motors Mazda CX-5 2022 make loud noise during driving and for few minutes even after the car is turned off. Car is at about 29,000miles. Unfortunately, it's past 3yrs old and hence JimClick Mazda dealer is asking for more than $3000 to replace the lights with motor assembly.
- Tucson, AZ, USA
Headlight humming / headlight unit failure. Known issue with Mazda but they refuse to repair unless I pay $2k for a new headlight. Vehicle has less than 50k miles and this is a know issue for 2019-2023 CX5s.
- South Jordan, UT, USA
A grating/moaning noise started coming from the passenger-side headlight. After googling, it seems that it is a common issue that others have had which requires replacement of the headlight assembly. I took this to the dealership, and the tech told me this is common. They didn-??t even have to take it back into the shop to make a diagnosis. He said that dirt gets into the bearings on the fan meant to cool the lamp DURING MANUFACTURING. This causes the fan to fail and the light to overheat if the headlight assembly is not replaced. This problem seems to be so common that the dealership already had the part in stock that they would need.
- Yorktown, VA, USA
I own a 2022 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Edition and have recently noticed a persistent noise coming from the left headlight. The noise resembles a fan or vibrating sound. The issue appears to be caused by a malfunctioning auto-leveling or adaptive headlight motor. The component is still installed in the vehicle and can be inspected upon request by a dealer or manufacturer. Safety Risks: While this issue has not yet caused immediate driving hazards, a malfunctioning headlight system could pose a safety risk if the auto-leveling function fails, leading to improper headlight beam alignment. This could impact nighttime visibility or cause glare for other drivers, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Virginia Beach, VA, USA
I own a 2022 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Edition and have recently noticed a persistent noise coming from the left headlight. The noise resembles a fan or vibrating sound. Coincidentally, this issue started only a month after I bought out the vehicle following the lease expiration. Component/System Failure and Inspection: The issue appears to be caused by a malfunctioning auto-leveling or adaptive headlight motor. The component is still installed in the vehicle and can be inspected upon request by a dealer or manufacturer. Safety Risks: While this issue has not yet caused immediate driving hazards, a malfunctioning headlight system could pose a safety risk if the auto-leveling function fails, leading to improper headlight beam alignment. This could impact nighttime visibility or cause glare for other drivers, increasing the risk of accidents. Reproduction and Confirmation: The problem has not yet been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center in my case, but many other customers have reported similar issues, some of whom have had the component replaced under warranty. Inspection Status: As of now, the vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or other parties. Warning Signs or Symptoms Prior to Failure: No warning lamps, messages, or dashboard alerts appeared before the noise started. The issue began suddenly and has been persistent ever since. I have a video, but it cannot be uploaded in this report.
- Miami, FL, USA
Headlights on these vehicles go out around 40,000 miles due to issues during their manufacturing. The repair costs $2,500+. The issue is known by Mazda and is widespread but they refuse to recall.
- Covington, LA, USA
Left Headlight fails to adequately illuminate left side, produced light appears shaded/obstructed, less than right side. night visibility is reduced. Dealer examined headlight, found uneven light distribution, shadows, referred to Manufacturer, Mazda stated this is Normal. Right Headlight was previously replaced under warranty, after excess headlight. noise detected. is available for examination.
- Mahopac, NY, USA
Humming from cooling fans in headlights. Very distracting sound that only shuts off when headlights eventually go off.
- Skate Hill, NY, USA

- Liberty, MO, USA