2016 Mazda CX-5 Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 3%of 512 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,700miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the seats of the 2016 Mazda CX-5, 3% of the 512 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,700 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 6 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2016 Mazda CX-5 power driver seat reclines to varying degrees (sometimes fully, sometimes partially) intermittently without input while vehicle is parked. Might happen today and not again for several weeks or more than a month but could happen again tomorrow. Seat adjustment switch works normally otherwise. Dealer unable to diagnose or duplicate problem. No further assistance offered other than we must be rubbing against the adjustment switch as we exit the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11317088, filed 2020-03, 27,400 miles“When the vehicle is powered off, the back rest of the driver's chair will fall back completely taking 2-10 seconds to hit the rear seating. After turning on the vehicle, I will have to readjust the chair taking about 1-2 minutes to adjust the back rest into an upright position. This happened numerous times and sporadically, happened once while driving at slow speed about 15-20 MPH. Also, head rest to too far forward making it uncomfortable. Company should look into electrically motorized head rest for angle and elevation.”
NHTSA complaint #10990768, filed 2017-05, 8,700 miles“Leather heated seats .. safety put at risks because I suffered burns on my bottom (butt) from the driver seat getting too hot to the point where it burned the seat itself as well , and made a brown burn mark on the seat … Both of my cheeks got burned .. this can in the long run cause skin damage and worse case scenario cancer. No it hasn’t been inspected No warning lamps”
NHTSA complaint #11714979, filed 2026-02“The front passenger seat heating system caught fire and burned through the fabric and my dog's seat. The fumes made me and my dog nauseous.I had to swerve across the highway and stop on the shoulder to extinguish the seat fire/burn. The fuse was pulled for safety. The seat is in storage for inspection. Mazda will be contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #11697961, filed 2025-11“Vehicle was t-boned by another vehicle that was traveling 40mph. Both front seats are now loose, and have been for some time. Insurance refused to cover seat replacement during repairs in fear of going above the “totaled” threshold and it being a total loss. Now we are concerned about the safety of our vehicle, and we are scared to drive it on major highways where the risk of accidents are higher.”
NHTSA complaint #11614277, filed 2024-09Related service bulletins
- 10201774Sep 16, 2021Some vehicles (without power seats) may exhibit a driver seat that gradually moves down by itself. This concern may be caused when a load, which is applied to the seat during…
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% |
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2024 | 5 | 11% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 3 | 2% |
| 2016 | 17 | 3% |
| 2015 | 5 | 4% |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% |
| 2013 | 13 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2016 Mazda CX-5
161 complaintsBrakes
72 complaintsElectrical system
72 complaintsOther or unknown
58 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
51 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
48 complaintsEngine
39 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsSuspension
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Mazda CX-5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology