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Exterior lightingPart report

2023 Mazda CX-5 Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
16%of 67 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2023 Mazda CX-5, 16% of the 67 complaints for this model year.

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.

“At 44,000 miles, a loud whirring noise started to occur that is due to the failing of the internal LED cooling fan in my left headlamp. I cannot use my headlights, which is a safety concern.”

NHTSA complaint #11767366, filed 2026-09

“I am reporting a safety defect in my 2023 Mazda CX-5 involving the right headlight assembly. The internal LED cooling fan has failed, causing loud noise and excessive vibration. This is a confirmed manufacturing defect (documented in Mazda Service Alert SA-013-23). Safety Risk: The cooling fan is essential to prevent the LED from overheating. A failure of this component can cause the headlight to dim or shut off completely without warning while driving at night, creating a severe visibility hazard and increasing the risk of a crash. …”

NHTSA complaint #11724195, filed 2026-03

“Adaptive headlight motor does not work. It makes a huge noise. Unfortunately it is not under warranty but Mazda dealerships have informed me that this is a known issue. This is a concern because the headlight does not function properly and does not work. The issue is a motor that fails, however you cannot just replace the motor. The entire headlight assembly needs to be replaced and is over 2,000. I strongly believe Mazda should be looked into and a special recall should be issued due to this. There should not be. $2 part that fails continuously causing a $2,000 repair.”

NHTSA complaint #11719606, filed 2026-02

“I began hearing a loud engine noise similar to a lawn mower whenever my headlights would come on which includes just when I unlock my car. When I first took it back to the Mazda dealership for servicing and mentioned this to the service manager he told me it was an issue with the headlights that they’ve been seeing. They returned the car to me and said they did not hear it. Then after my warranty ended it got worse and when I brought it back to the dealership they stated they had never heard of this happening before and said that I brought my car for an air-conditioning issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11768904, filed 2026-10

“Just out of warranty passenger headlight is making a humming noise. Many other owners are having same malfunctions. Cost to replace at dealership is around $2,000.00. LED headlight has a cooling fan that is failing. Many have been replaced under warranty. Mine started just outside of the warranty mileage. It’s a known issue that should have a recall issued.”

NHTSA complaint #11722090, filed 2026-03

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202616%
202449%
20231116%
20222335%
202111%
202044%
201931%
201851%
201711%
201616131%
201532%
201482%

Other parts of the 2023 Mazda CX-5

Brakes
12 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaintsLane departure
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2023 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