Recall 16V644 covers 580,455 2010-2016 Mazda vehicles for corroding liftgate struts. Repair will be free at any franchised Mazda dealer once available.
Mazda is recalling 580,455 2010-2016 MAZDA3, MAZDASPEED3, MAZDA5, CX-5, and CX-3 vehicles because lift gate support struts can corrode, break, and let the lift gate drop unexpectedly. A falling lift gate can strike the person using it and increase injury risk; the dealer repair will be free once Mazda makes the remedy available.
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What's wrong?
The lift gate support struts on these 2010-2016 Mazda MAZDASPEED3, MAZDA3, MAZDA5, CX-5, and CX-3 vehicles are the pressurized supports that hold the rear hatch open. They assist the lift gate as it rises and keep its weight from coming down while someone loads cargo or reaches into the rear area.
On affected vehicles, the outer tube of the stay damper, another name for the lift gate support strut, does not have enough corrosion protection. Salt water can work into the gap between the outer tube and the end cap as temperatures change. Over time, corrosion weakens the tube. Internal pressure in the strut can then cause the support to break, and the lift gate can drop without warning.
There is no warning sign before failure. Treat a hatch that feels loose, drops, or will not stay fully open as a reason to stop using the rear opening until a Mazda dealer checks the struts.
Who's affected?
Spans five Mazda nameplates across the 2010-2016 model years, all tied to the hatchback or liftgate body structure.
| 2013 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2012 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 | body structure |
| 2010 Mazda MAZDA3 | body structure |
| 2011 Mazda MAZDA3 | body structure |
| 2012 Mazda MAZDA5 | body structure |
| 2012 Mazda MAZDA3 | body structure |
| 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 | body structure |
| 2013 Mazda CX-5 | body structure |
| 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 | body structure |
| 2013 Mazda MAZDA3 | body structure |
| 2013 Mazda MAZDA5 | body structure |
| 2014 Mazda CX-5 | body structure |
| 2014 Mazda MAZDA5 | body structure |
| 2015 Mazda CX-5 | body structure |
| 2015 Mazda MAZDA5 | body structure |
| 2016 Mazda CX-5 | body structure |
| 2016 Mazda CX-3 | body structure |
| Units affected | 580,455 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unexpected lift gate drop can strike someone standing at the rear of the vehicle and increase the risk of injury. Use caution when opening the lift gate, keep children clear of the area, and avoid standing under it longer than needed. Repair will be free at any franchised Mazda dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2016 Mazda MAZDASPEED3, MAZDA3, MAZDA5, CX-5, or CX-3 is included in this recall.
- Wait for Mazda's repair notice before scheduling the lift-gate support replacement.
- Contact a franchised Mazda dealer once the repair is open, and ask for the free lift-gate support strut replacement that fixes the corrosion risk and unexpected lift-gate drop.
- Bring the recall notice if Mazda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V644 when you call.
- Avoid standing under the open lift gate until the supports are replaced; a corroded support strut can break and let the lift gate drop unexpectedly.
What happens at the repair
For campaign 16V644, Mazda lists the lift gate support repair as not open because parts are not available. Once Mazda opens the final dealer repair, a Mazda technician will replace both lift gate supports. The recall repair will be free, with parts and labor covered. Mazda has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who paid out of pocket for a related repair before the recall work opened. Keep repair orders and payment documentation, then contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 for claim instructions.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 6, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 7, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| October 7, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 1, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 8, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V644?
Recall 16V644 covers 580,455 Mazda MAZDASPEED3, MAZDA3, MAZDA5, CX-5, and CX-3 vehicles with lift gate support struts that can corrode and break. If the lift gate drops unexpectedly, it can hit a person and increase injury risk. Mazda dealers will replace both lift gate supports for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2016 Mazda MAZDASPEED3, MAZDA3, MAZDA5, CX-5, or CX-3 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V644. If it is, contact a franchised Mazda dealer and ask for the lift gate support replacement under Mazda recall 9916H. Mazda customer service is also listed at 1-800-222-5500.
Is the Mazda lift gate support recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Mazda's remedy says dealers will replace both lift gate supports free of charge. Use recall 16V644 or Mazda recall 9916H when you contact the dealer.
What is the safety risk from the lift gate struts?
The safety risk is injury from a lift gate that drops unexpectedly. The support struts can corrode, break, and stop holding the lift gate up. Until the repair is complete, use care around the open lift gate and keep other people clear while it is raised.
What if I bought my Mazda used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your exact Mazda is included, then call a franchised Mazda dealer with recall 16V644 or Mazda recall 9916H.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V644000 |
|---|---|
| Mazda customer service | 1-800-222-5500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V644 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V644000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →