2016 Mazda CX-5: engine overheating

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Seats · WA

I own a 2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring and discovered two brown, burn-like marks on the lower seatback of a heated front seat. I suspect the seat heater overheated and damaged the upholstery. The discoloration is concentrated in the lower back/lumbar area, and I have photographs documenting it. I am concerned that continued use could cause further overheating, burns to an occupant, or a fire. I am reporting this as a seat-heater safety defect and requesting investigation.

Filed Dec 30, 2025 · Electrical · MO

Passenger side seat heater overheated and burned upholstery.

Filed Apr 18, 2025 · Engine · CA

Water pump failed causing coolant leaked into engine causing major engine damage

Filed Apr 9, 2025 · Brakes · CA

from my service mechanic... "Rear brakes at 8mm/8mm on the right side, but 4mm/6mm on the left. These brakes were replaced 1500 miles ago and should not be showing this kind of wear. Examined brake pads, found evidence of overheating. Scanned vehicle, confirmed no codes from Electronic Parking Brake. Actuated parking brake and confirmed it is engaging and releasing as commanded. Found a Technical Service Bulletin related to parking brake drag on this vehicle. The brake pad damage pattern is consistent with what we observed today. Mazda recommends replacing the affect caliper(s) with an updated version to address this issue. Confirmed by lot number that current calipers are older version. TSB attached. Recommend replacing calipers and rear brake materials."

Filed May 30, 2024 · Engine · NJ

Car was having trouble with pickup and was making a subtle recurrent noise. Sped up after turning a corner and engine just sputtered out and car came to a complete stop within seconds. The engine light never came on and the engine did not overheat. Car would not turnover to start after that. Car was towed to an independent garage where they stated engine failure. Was then towed to a garage that can handle engine issues where it was declared a total loss and catastrophic engine failure.

Filed Feb 14, 2024 · Engine · MI

First symptom, no heat coming out of heater vent took to shop to investigate and found antifreeze in the oil . Cylinder head removed and found a nonreparable crack In the cylinder head. I'll maintenance up todaye, Engine never overheated ,no symptoms, just suddenly Blowing cold air from the heat vent. $7300 estimate 2 fix.

Filed Jul 20, 2021 · Engine · OH

Original belt tensioner was failing at 50k miles. An oem mazda belt tensioner was installed and is failing again within 1 year at 67k miles. If this fails the belt powering the water pump will fail causing a catastrophic engine failure due to overheating. Mazda has yet to issue a recall with their defective parts. If you hear any squeaking of the belts from your engine and notice any residue leaking from the tensioner get it replaced ASAP or your car could become a hazard.

Filed Nov 17, 2020 · Brakes · 19,000 miles · NY

My tire pressure indicator light was triggered on when I drove the car for about 40 MPH. I stopped at a parking lot and I noticed the rear right wheel was literally smoking. Later I went to a local shop and I was told the brake was overheated on the rear right side. My local shop replaced the rotor and pads, however, the overheat problem kept showing up on that right rear side. I did some research online and it seems to be a common problem with the parking brake dragging for 2016 cx5. So I stopped using the parking brake and the overheating problem was gone. However, the parking brake is still defective and causes overheat if used.

Filed Oct 29, 2020 · Brakes · 72,300 miles · PA

While driving approx. 40 MPH on a state road, my TPMS warning light went on. At first I thought it was a simple tire pressure issue, but then I began to smell burning. I stopped my car and saw smoke coming from my rear right (passenger side) wheel. I promptly brought the car to a 3rd party mechanic and they informed me the caliper remained engaged and my rotors were overheating. They tried contacting mazda dealerships and 3rd party sources for either new or rebuilt caliper but the part was out of stock and on backorder with no estimated date when it would be replenished. My car is still unrepaired and I cannot drive it as the excessive heating of the rotor could disable my braking ability. This seems to be a common issue with other cx-5 models.

Filed May 4, 2020 · Engine · 45,591 miles · MD

I went to the dealership and they informed me that the hydraulic belt tensioner was leaking. They quoted me $400 for repair and stated this is a wear item yet the manual and user guide provided by mazda do not state that this is required to be replaced only inspected. My car has less then 46,000 miles and this part was nearly at the point of failure. If this part fails and the belt gets too loose or snaps, your car will shut down. Essentially, if that belt breaks, your alternator will stop charging the battery, the dash will light up like a christmas tree, and the car will sputter to a complete stop. Not to mention the fact that the belt also turns the water pump. So while the car could shut down in order to avoid overheating. Mazda has stated they will not cover this as it's out of warranty for a what should be considered a defective part. If you hear knocking sounds from your engine get your vehicle inspected asap!

Filed Dec 23, 2019 · Brakes · 15,000 miles · CA

At 15k miles the driver's side rear brake caliper failed, causing the brake to drag and overheat during a 400 mile holiday roadtrip. By the time the problem was discovered by the elderly owners, the rear pads were worn down to the backing plates and the rotors were heavily scored. There were no warning lights illuminated or other indication alerting the driver to the problem. This is a known issue with the rear calipers and electric parking brake (epb) given the tsbs that mazda has published on the matter as well as the number of complaints online and with the federal safety agency. Mazda replaced the failed driver's side caliper under warranty but declined to cover the damaged pads and rotor caused by their defective assembly even after escalting the issue to corporate. This should be a safety recall but mazda would rather jeopardize the safety of their customer (by not proactively replacing the passenger side caliper) and charge them $500 for a brake job to correct collateral damage caused by their defective parts. We have been long-time loyal customers of mazda but they have acted unethically in this instance and did not fulfill their warranty claim in good faith.

Filed Dec 10, 2019 · Visibility · 14,870 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 mazda cx-5. The contact stated that the check engine indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to naples mazda (6387 airport pulling rd n, naples, fl 34109, 239‑597‑9607) where it was diagnosed that the heater core was clogged and needed to be replaced. The contact referenced manufacturer communication numbers: 10091444 and sa218, which stated that an overheated heater core was due to clogging. The contact stated that theses codes indicated that the failure was a known issue. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall and provided the contact with case number: 124474827. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the heater core. The failure mileage was approximately 14,870.