Mazda Mazda5 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Mazda Mazda5 options? We analyzed 10 model years (2006–2015) 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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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Mazda Mazda5 has 410 owner complaints and 15 safety recalls across model years 2006–2015. The most reported issue area is STEERING. 2006 drew the most complaints; 2015 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Mazda
- Model
- Mazda5
- Model years analyzed
- 2006–2015 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 410
- Safety recall campaigns
- 15
- Crash-related complaints
- 29
- Fire-related complaints
- 8
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2006 (78 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2015 (9 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- STEERING
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Mazda Mazda5: 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.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe MAZDA MAZDA5 has 410 NHTSA complaints and 15 recalls on record. 29 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 410 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 15 federal recall campaigns
- 29 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: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
15 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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2006–2015. 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 410 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
410 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.
EVERY TIME I TOOK MY CAR IN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE I QUESTIONED THE UNUSUAL EARLY AND UNEVEN WEAR ON THE TIRES. THEY MAKE A LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES (TOYO PROXES) AT 22,000 MILES. THE BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS SHAKEN AND VIBRATED SINCE AROUND 17,000 MILES. THIS WILL OCCUR AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE INTERSTATE AND AT LOW SPEEDS. THE BRAKE PADS ARE FINE. NORMAL WEAR ON ALL PARTS OF VEHICLE. AGAIN VERY UNUSUAL EARLY WARPING OF THE ROTORS FOR NO REASON. I FEEL BOTH ARE MANUFACTURER DEFECTS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO ME. CURRENTLY I ONLY HAVE 35,200 MILES ON MY 2012 MAZDA AND I PURCHASED IT IN JULY OF 2011. I WILL PROBABLY NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER MAZDA BECAUSE I EVEN PURCHASED ADDITIONAL WARRANTY COVERAGE AND THEY DO NOT COVER ANYTHING FOR YOU. I SEE OTHER PEOPLE ON HERE HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINTS BUT WHEN YOU GO TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT SERVICED THEY LOOK AT YOU LIKE YOU HAVE 3 HEADS. TODAYS DATE 10/25/2015.
I bought this vehicle as is, about 2 months past, after driving it home I felt after pressing the Brakes pedal that it is not responding until I press 2 or 3 times. I went bnack to the dealer the next day and made a complain. They sent me to their Mechanic who diagnosed the problem to be the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit Assembly. It is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of my family was put at risk because of the fact that I have to pump the brakes to slow the vehicle. Yes the problem was confirmed by the independent Mechanic recomended by the dealer, with a detailed estimate. No inspection was performed by the manufacturer, police or insurance representatives. The service light was on from the day I bought the vehicle.
Power steering became stiff hard to turn, steering pulls left or right when driving over bumps on the road also brakes became spongy.
The car became hard to steer, and I noticed the power steering light was on. It is a safety risk due to increased difficulty steering car and a risk for myself and other drivers on the road. This just occurred today and has not been investigated by an other parties. No warning or incidents prior to steering becoming difficult.
The driver door handle stopped functioning on a 7-year-old low milage (<25k) Mazda 5. The malfunction is common among Mazda's and can be easily found when searching the internet. A small groove on the internal door handle mechanism breaks off and lets the spring pulling the handle back slip out. In most cases, this causes the door to be unable to open (from the outside or inside). However, in my case, the door would not latch closed anymore. Having a driver side door not close while driving is a safety issue and a vehicle where the door does not stay closed should not be operated. This problem is known to Mazda and a recall was issued for certain Mazda models in the past - but not for the 2014 Mazda 5. (see this web-site for a description: https://www.realmazdaparts.com/blog/mazda-door-handle-problems) This issue came up without warning, leaving us on a trip with a door that was suddenly not latching closed anymore. Therefore, this is a safety hazard that may arise on any moment and Mazda should address it by replacing the internal part of the door handle with one that is not subject to premature failure.
The contact owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda5. The contact stated that the passenger’s side rear door failed to open or close all the way. The contact stated that there was a 1-2-inch gap between the door and the door latch. The contact reached out to the local dealer to have the vehicle inspected however, the contact was unable to schedule an appointment for the vehicle to be inspected. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,078.
Read 14 more owner reports
The contact owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda5. The contact stated that while driving over a minor bump in the roadway at any rate of speed, the brake pedal would depress to floorboard without warning. The contact stated that the brakes would resume normal operation soon after failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to three separate independent mechanics however, each mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE OFTEN HAS A CLUNKING SOUND AND A SLIGHT / BRIEF HESITATION BEFORE THE BRAKES ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURS. I'VE HAD THE ISSUE INSPECTED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS (4-5 TIMES) AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IT IS BY DESIGN WHICH IS WHAT LED ME TO SUBMIT THIS REQUEST. THE ISSUE HAPPENS APPROXIMATELY 75-80% OF THE TIME. I DID NOT NOTICE THIS ISSUE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED (NEW IN JAN, 2015) BUT NOTICED IT APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE. SINCE THEN THE ISSUE HAS GRADUALLY INCREASED IN FREQUENCY AND HAPPENS NOT EVERY TIME THE BRAKES ARE USED BUT HAPPENS OFTEN EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN.THE DATE OF OCCURENCE BELOW DOES NOT APPLY SINCE IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY AND IS STILL OCCURRING. ALSO, THE SPEED AND THE MILEAGE DOESN'T APPLY SINCE IT HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS AND HAS HAPPENED REGULARLY SINCE ABOUT 79000 MILES.
SINCE PURCHASE FROM DEALER, THE TIRES CONSISTENTLY DEVELOPED EDGE WEAR /CUPPING ON THE INNER EDGE OF BOTH FRONT AND BACK. THE FIRST SET WERE REPLACED AFTER APPROX 23K MILES. AFTER APPROX 25K MILES THE SAME PATTERN OF WEAR HAD OCCURRED FRONT AND BACK. AT FIRST WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, ALIGNMENT WAS INSPECTED AND I WAS TOLD THE MATTER WAS PROBABLY DUE TO POOR TIRES. WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING AGAIN, I'VE CONTACTED MAZDA FOR ASSISTANCE.
SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DOING NORMAL DRIVING. NOTHING HIT THE SUNROOF OR THE CAR, THE SUNROOF SIMPLY SHATTERED AND GLASS FELL ON ME, AND MY CHILDREN. WE WERE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 70 (THE SPEED LIMIT). THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND OR IN FRONT OF ME.
I OWN A 2014 MAZDA 5. AFTER TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. THE NUMBER 1 AND 4 CYLINDER ROD BEARINGS FAILED COMPLETELY. IT HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. PROPER OIL CHANGES WAS MAINTAINED DURING THIS PERIOD. THEY TOOK THE MOTOR APART FOUND CLEAN OIL, AND SHAVINGS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MAZDA 5. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE REVVED AT A HIGH RATE AS IF THE VEHICLE WOULD TAKE OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS WARMED UP. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
THE CAR WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND AN EIGHT INCH CRACKED DEVELOPED. THERE WERE NOT ANY CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD AND IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS A STRESS CRACK. WAS NOT VERY HAPPY. WHEN INVESTIGATING I LEARNED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS LIKE MAZDA SHOULD ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM TO KEEPS BUYERS COMING BACK.
The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda5. The contact stated that while parked with the vehicle occupied, the contact became aware that the rear driver’s and passenger’s side seats were melting. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
The handle on the sliding door and driver's side broke off. We have replaced it twice already and it keeps breaking. This has not happened to me with any of my other cars in the past or present until now. It's unkown to me and it shows the part was not done well. What caught my attention is that I saw another mazda5 minivan without a handle which made me think that this is a problem with this type of car. I'm surprised it doesn't have a recall. Please help us with this. Thank you.
Weld failure can cause the board to tip and dump the user on the ground. This is a hazard because this piece of equipment is design for disabled users who can't stand. User found the cracked weld before it broke completely. The board was sagging from horizontal. I notified the manufacturer, then had the part repaired by a local fabricator. I have pictures showing the failure.
2015 MADZDA S. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE.
LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT RANDOM TIMES.SRS LIGHT COMES ON AND POWER STEERING LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING. YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT FOR IT TO WORK AGAIN. IT'S VERY SCARY NOT KNOWING WHEN THIS WILL RANDOMLY HAPPEN AS YOUR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I SEE WHERE OLDER MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR STEERING BUT NOT NEWER ONES.
MY 2015 MAZDA5 WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE HIGH SPEED ROLLOVER CRASH WITH 4 KIDS IN IT. THEY WERE ON A DEAD END ROAD THAT RAN PARALLEL TO A DIVIDED HIGHWAY. UPON THE INITIAL IMPACT THE FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES, LANDING DRIVERS SIDE DOWN 150-200 FEET FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT. NEITHER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS VISIBLY TWISTED. ALSO MY SONS SEATBELT CAME UNDONE ON IMPACT, RESULTING IN SEVERAL CRITICAL INJURIES THAT REQUIRED HIM TO BE AIRLIFTED TO A CHILDREN'S TRAUMA CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR, ROADS DRY AND IT WAS DAYLIGHT, A LITTLE AFTER 5PM.*DT *TR
MY VEHICLE WAS RECALL FOR STRUT FAILURE ON THE REAR LIFT GATE. THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED MID 2017. RECENTLY THE STRUTS FAILED. THE CARR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR AND IT WOULDN'T STAY UP. MAZDA IS UNWILLING TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS (WITHOUT CHARGE) STATING THE PART IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW AND IT CURRENTLY HAS 18,500 MILES IN THE ODOMETER. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN GENTLY USED AND THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED SO QUICKLY. IT IS POOR PRACTICE TO REPLACE ONE DEFECTIVE PART WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART.
Showing 20 of 410 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Mazda Mazda5
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 Mazda5, 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 Mazda5 has 410 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 Mazda5 has 15 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. 29 of the Mazda Mazda5's 410 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 Mazda5 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Mazda Mazda5 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 Mazda5 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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How does the Mazda Mazda5 stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Mazda Mazda5 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 Mazda5.
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Mazda Mazda5 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Mazda Mazda5 reliable?
Poor. The Mazda Mazda5 has 410 NHTSA owner complaints and 15 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is STEERING. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Mazda Mazda5 years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2006 (78 complaints), 2008 (67 complaints), 2009 (64 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 Mazda5 problems?
Top reported issues: STEERING (101 complaints); TIRES (59 complaints); SUSPENSION (57 complaints).
Does the Mazda Mazda5 have recalls?
Yes — 15 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Mazda Mazda5. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.