Mazda CX 5 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Mazda CX 5 options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Mazda CX 5 has 1,002 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is ENGINE. 2025 drew the most complaints; 2026 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Mazda
- Model
- CX 5
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 1,002
- Safety recall campaigns
- 6
- Crash-related complaints
- 53
- Fire-related complaints
- 5
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2025 (27 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2026 (14 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Mazda CX 5: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe MAZDA CX 5 has 1,002 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. 53 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 1,002 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 6 federal recall campaigns
- 53 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Oct 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
6 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
ENGINE
TRAILER HITCHES
ENGINE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 1,002 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
1,002 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The contact owns a 2024 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the radio was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who discovered that rodents had chewed through the soy-based wiring and created a nest inside the vehicle. The dealer replaced the headliner, wiring harness, both front air bags, A-pillar molding, and C-pillar molding. The failure mileage was 17,655.
Component failure: potential thermal (heat-related) breakdown of the EPS control module, steering rack electronics, or associated wiring harness. Description: After approximately two hours of continuous highway driving, a critical Red Steering Wheel Warning Light illuminates intermittently in the center dashboard. This indicates a severe system fault and imminent threat of total loss of power steering assist while operating at highway speeds presenting an extreme safety hazard. The vehicle is under the bumper-to-bumper warranty and was brought to authorized Mazda service for the warranty repair. The dealership refused to perform a deep electronic diagnostic of the EPS module. The service manager released the vehicle back to me, claiming the issue cannot be duplicated unless it is driven for two hours and no active codes are showing. He is claiming this is a lane assist issue and the vehicle is safe. This is not a lane assist issue as it was occurring for the complete two hour trip and not on a specific road area that the lane assist could not detect. By refusing to escalate a critical steering failure to manufacturer engineers, the dealership has forced me to continue driving a potentially unsafe vehicle with a known steering defect in order to “prove” the malfunction occurs.
After vehicle has been parked for awhile, for example over night, there is a Popping sound or Clunking from front of vehicle after moving vehicle and applying brakes at first stop. Noise has been there since 2024. Popping, Clunking sound only when when vehicle parked again. There is also a loud Clunking sound sometimes, sounds like it is from the right front suspension, when driving on irregular, or bumpy road surface where i live. Sounds like something is not secured properly , tightened enough, or dampened enough. Like the Coil Spring flopping around in its holder. Have complained to the dealer numerous times. Was told that they could not duplicate the problem, even when vehicle was left there for about a week. Right front lower control arm was replaced on last visit, but noise is still there.
See attached document for complaint.
Driver side seat rocks back and forth when braking and cornering. Feels loose
On 06/18/2026, the vehicle displayed multiple safety warnings, including ABS malfunction, dynamic stability control/traction control malfunction, Smart Brake Support and Forward Obstruction Warning disabled, possible forward sensing camera malfunction, and airbag/seat belt pre-tensioner malfunction. These warnings involve braking, stability control, collision avoidance, airbag, and seat belt safety systems. This was not the first occurrence. On 04/24/2025, the vehicle displayed similar warnings, including critical brake system/Electronic Brake Force Distribution malfunction, ABS malfunction, Smart Brake Support and Forward Obstruction Warning disabled, possible forward sensing camera malfunction, and keyless entry malfunction. The vehicle was towed at that time. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Mazda dealer in June 2026. The dealer replaced the battery under warranty, but I was not provided diagnostic trouble codes, a root-cause explanation, or written confirmation that the braking, ABS, airbag/seat belt, stability control, Smart Brake Support, Forward Obstruction Warning, and forward sensing/camera systems were fully diagnosed and verified safe. The dealer inspection report also listed the mileage as “No Mileage.” The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I do not feel safe driving it because the repeated warnings involve braking, collision avoidance, stability control, airbags, and seat belt systems. I am concerned that an electrical, braking, or safety-control defect may disable safety systems while driving.
Read 14 more owner reports
Faulty headlights. One was replaced at 35,678 miles (passenger side) The other one is going bad (driver's side) (approximate mileage: 55,000) A dealer has confirmed the problem. Quoted 19223.93 for the replacement on 04/21/26. Manufacturer informed. No help. No warning messages for faulty headlights.
My car caught on fire on [CCC] and it's completely burned down, a total loss. Following is information about my car and some summary of what happened. Car information: - Mazda CX5 2024 - Bought in June or July 2024(car payment only made 22 times so far) - Odometer 24,445mi(as of 05/15/2026) What happened: - In [XXX] Friday afternoon, I was in Bellevue and noticed an engine overheat warning. So, I stopped immediately to cool down and called Mazda Dealership(Lee Johnson Mazda) to schedule a service. - Then after 20-30 minutes, I started the car again and the warning was gone. So I drove slowly and got on [XXX] to head home in Kirkland. I was already driving slowly. - After a few minutes, overheat warning as well as engine warning started firing and noticed that smoke coming out of bonnet. - So, I pulled over on the shoulder near [XXX] and called roadside assistance. But even before I get connected to the roadside service, engine caught on fire and I had to call 911. - The car is completely burned down and it's a total loss. - State patrol wrote me a "Exchange of Information" and "Tow/Impound and Inventory Record". Why I am submitting this form: - This car is less than 2years old and has been seeing Mazda service regularly. The odometer checked by dealership on 05/15 is 24,445mi which is slightly more than 24,000 which is stated in the Lemon LAW. But still, the car is pretty brand new and around 24,000 ish. So, I'm wondering if this still qualifies for Lemon Law. - Even before this happened, I had a service history for engine warning and get the engine checked on 05/15/2026 which is exactly a week ago before the accident. Also, they said the engine thermostat had an issue and replaced and covered by Mazda's warranty. - Overheat and engine warning was on and off. As soon as I pull over, it caught on fire. - This happened on [XXX]. It was very dangerous and lucky that we pulled over on right before it caught on fire INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2024 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the check engine light illmiunated. The contact mention when depressing accelerator pedal, the RPM's get suck independently and the vehicle fails to respond as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, however the dignanoses was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified on the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 39,381.
Sunroof glass failure that occurred on my 2024 Mazda CX-5. While driving to work on May 9th at 11:16 pm going 67 miles per hour on route XXX in [XXX] , I suddenly heard a very loud popping/explosive sound from above the vehicle. Upon safely pulling over, I discovered that the sunroof glass had shattered unexpectedly. There was no known object strike that I or my two passengers observed, no prior cracks or chips visible before the incident, and no warning signs of damage beforehand. The glass appeared to have exploded outward/ upward and appeared curved upward. Most of the glass we believe hit the vehicle behind us as it was gone by the time we were able to safely pull over. It was approximately 58 degrees outside with no inclement weather. The vehicle currently has approximately 53,000 miles and has been properly maintained. The incident was extremely startling and created a significant safety concern while driving. Luckily, the interior sun visor was closed when this incident occurred, preventing the glass from entering the vehicle and injuring myself or my two passengers. Because the vehicle is relatively new and the damage appeared sudden and unusual, I would sincerely appreciate Mazda reviewing this matter for possible warranty or goodwill assistance. I have always valued Mazda’s quality and reputation, and I am hopeful the company can help support resolution of this unexpected issue. I have attached photographs of the damage and would be happy to provide any additional information needed. I would also appreciate the dealership documenting whether any definitive impact point or external strike evidence was identified during inspection. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I look forward to working together toward a resolution. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Passenger side headlight was making a loud noise. When it began, it happened sporadically, but in ~two weeks, it happened consistently whenever the car was on and could often be heard while driving. The sound was consistent with other reports of the headlight assembly failure and those covered by TSBs for 2019–2023 models. The vehicle was brought to the dealership, the noise was verified as being the headlight failure, and it was replaced under warranty.
While driving on the freeway, the car stopped having the ability to accelerate. The engine light came on, and I received a notification on the Mazda app stating there was an "engine malfunction." I took it to Mazda, and they told me nothing was wrong. Flash forward a month and the same exact situation occurred. I took it to Mazda, and they told me the same thing. This is incredibly dangerous, as losing the ability to accelerate on a very busy freeway is life-threatening.
The contact leased a 2024 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the yellow electronic emergency brake light was displayed. The cruise control and rear brakes were inoperable. The brake pedal was pulsating while depressed. There was smoke coming from the front brakes. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, who replaced the brakes, and the module was inoperable, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to three independent mechanics, who determined that the rear brakes were firm. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
headlight fan motor went out in both lights in under 3 years
Incident Description: On multiple occasions in January and February 2026, while operating a 2024 Mazda CX-5 in reverse on low-friction surfaces (snow/ice) with a slight incline, the vehicle suffered a total systemic failure. System Failures: While reversing at low speeds, the engine spontaneously shut off without warning. This resulted in an immediate loss of power braking and power steering. Simultaneously, the electronic gear selector (shifter) became non-functional, preventing the vehicle from being placed into 'Park' to stop the uncontrolled rearward slide. Safety Risk: The vehicle became a "runaway" object on several occasions. In one instance, the vehicle narrowly avoided crushing a pedestrian against another parked car, stopping only when the tires reached a different surface texture. In a separate incident, the vehicle slid uncontrolled down a residential hill, striking snowbanks. There is a grave concern regarding whether the Supplemental Restraint System (airbags) remains functional during these engine-stall events, as the dealer could not confirm occupant protection status during a total power loss. Inspection & Reproduction: The vehicle was presented to an authorized Mazda dealer on March 3, 2026. The service department attempted to replicate the issue by reversing over soapy water on a gravel surface. However, due to the high friction of the gravel, they were unable to induce the specific tire-slip/low-traction conditions required to trigger the malfunction. No error codes were found during an informal scan, and no warning lamps or messages appeared prior to or during the failures. Component for Inspection: The vehicle is available for inspection. I believe the failure is rooted in the traction control or engine management software, which appears to improperly shut down the powertrain when it detects specific wheel-spin patterns in reverse, subsequently disabling critical safety systems including brakes and transmission locks.
Premature failure of headlight assembly unit, (buzzing sound, known issue) completely unacceptable for this to happen right out of warranty. I don't think I will touch another Mazda in the future.
Timing Chain cover leaking
My headlights have a motor (or motors) in them. This feature is to adjust headlights in accordance with the steering wheel. I think it's referred to as AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System). The left headlight's motor makes a noise. I do not always hear it when driving but when stopped or parking and exiting the vehicle, I can hear it until the lights turn off. The car has about 37,000 - 38,000 miles on it.
Hello. I started hearing this noise on my car, it was distracting and found it that it only happens when my headlight is turned on. I believe that the headlight leveling motor went out, I have an appointment for next week to have it checked, but the more i reach out to others Mazda drivers, the more I hear this is a common issue. My car is brand new, well taken care of, this seems to happen a lot.
The contact owned a 2024 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's vehicle was rear-ended. The front driver's side seat belt restraint did not function as intended. The contact's daughter was pushed forward out of the front driver's seat without restraint. The contact stated that the driver's side headrest detached due to the impact, and the back of the front driver's side seat fractured and detached. In addition, the air bag did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss by the insurance company. A Police report was filed. The contact's daughter was transported by ambulance to the local medical center. The contact's daughter sustained injuries to the right arm and right leg, severe back pain, massive headaches, and whiplash. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Showing 20 of 1,002 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
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Before you buy, check the exact Mazda CX 5
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Mazda CX 5, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Mazda CX 5 has 1,002 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Mazda CX 5 has 6 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 53 of the Mazda CX 5's 1,002 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Mazda CX 5 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Mazda CX 5 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Mazda CX 5 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Mazda CX 5 by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Mazda CX 5.
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Mazda CX 5 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Mazda CX 5 reliable?
Poor. The Mazda CX 5 has 1,002 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Mazda CX 5 years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2025 (27 complaints), 2026 (14 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Mazda CX 5 problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE (375 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (177 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (162 complaints).
Does the Mazda CX 5 have recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Mazda CX 5. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.