2020 Mazda CX-5 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 4%of 108 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 1,656miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2020 Mazda CX-5, 4% of the 108 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,656 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Dashboard lights have gone off then back on while driving on the highway & local roads several times. Also concerned as to what else this issue affects & not sure if daylight running lights are on or off at this time or other electrical elements. Not sure the cause of this possible short in the system in addition to a battery replacement (orig. Battery & then 2 others since 7/4/20)”
NHTSA complaint #11372988, filed 2020-11, 2,900 miles“Purchased brand new 2020 Mazda CX-5 on sept 25, 2020. On sept. 29, 2020 with < 500mi: while traveling approximately 45 MPH on county road, pressed brake pedal and the pedal did not move. Several malfunction lights flashed including power steering malfunction , smart city brake support malfunction . Repeatedly slammed on the brake pedal and it did not move at all. Tried to swerve to avoid a vehicle but the steering was unresponsive. Impacted a vehicle at a red light. …”
NHTSA complaint #11366933, filed 2020-10, 412 miles“I have been warned by other drivers at night that my tail lights were out. My clock and radio both are malfunctioning. I just took the car for the yearly inspection and there is a major oil leak from a gasket. The car only has 16,000 miles on it!”
NHTSA complaint #11399640, filed 2021-03“My car is experiencing extreme ghost screen. Also when this happens I get a lot of warning lights when nothing is truly experiencing fault. My screen will jump, change settings, reset settings,become dark on it own, not turn on at all, flip through the system causing major distractions. For instance I was driving in my car with quiet no noise then my screen jump and without warning blasted am and scared the living heck out of me while on the highway. It has called people and hung up on its own. Lights flicker and one side of my top lights don't work. …”
NHTSA complaint #11668196, filed 2025-06Related service bulletins
- 11022725Aug 22, 2025Some customers may complain about any of the following: 1. Infotainment Center Display does not provide the Authorization Code (OTP) during the MyMazda App Connected Vehicle…
- 11010990Nov 5, 2024Some customers may complain that the headlights get foggy or have water spots inside. This concern may be caused by the anti-fog coating not preventing inner condensation under…
- 10246208Nov 27, 2023Some customers may complain that the headlights get foggy or have water spots inside. This concern may be caused by the anti-fog coating not preventing inner condensation under…
- 10235418Apr 12, 2023Some customers may complain of foggy rear combination lights (as shown below) after a car wash or heavy rain.
- 10233564Mar 7, 2023Some customers may hear noise from their headlamps. While some noise from the electric motor is normal, it may be louder in one headlamp than the other or both are significantly…
- 10232304Feb 9, 2023Some customers may experience one or more electrical malfunctions after a vehicle body repair. The newly painted fender stay (2) may be causing a poor front harness (1) ground…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2023 | 11 | 16% |
| 2022 | 23 | 35% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 4 | 4% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 5 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 161 | 31% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 8 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2020 Mazda CX-5
31 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsForward collision avoidance
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsLane departure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Mazda CX-5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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