Mazda CX-5 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 2,459 owner complaints and 8 safety recalls on file for the Mazda CX-5, across 15 model years (2012–2026). The 2016 model year has the most complaints (510). The most reported problem area overall is engine.
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Mazda CX-5 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical CX-5 year: 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2016 CX-5: 510 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2014 CX-5: 377 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2018 CX-5: 351 complaints, 3 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2012 CX-5: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2026 CX-5: 16 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2025 CX-5: 28 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Mazda CX-5 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 594 | 13 | 17 |
| Electrical System problems | 459 | 14 | 14 |
| Power Train problems | 283 | 14 | 13 |
| Service Brakes problems | 236 | 14 | 43 |
| Exterior Lighting problems | 224 | 12 | 1 |
| Visibility/wiper problems | 165 | 14 | 0 |
| Structure problems | 141 | 13 | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 119 | 14 | 31 |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 110 | 13 | 6 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 83 | 11 | 14 |
| Air Bags | 68 | 12 | 24 |
| Visibility | 61 | 11 | 0 |
| Seats | 55 | 13 | 6 |
| Steering | 38 | 12 | 6 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 35 | 7 | 0 |
| Suspension | 34 | 9 | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 31 | 8 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 31 | 9 | 4 |
| Wheels | 19 | 7 | 1 |
| Back Over Prevention | 18 | 8 | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 18 | 9 | 4 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 16 | 9 | 0 |
| Tires | 15 | 10 | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Equipment | 9 | 6 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 7 | 5 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Insert, Padding | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Mazda CX-5 problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2021: engine (80)
- 2019: engine (131)
- 2018: engine (179)
- 2016: exterior lighting (161) · electrical system (71) · service brakes (66) · power train (51)
- 2014: electrical system (132) · visibility/wiper (61) · power train (50)
- 2013: electrical system (58)
All Mazda CX-5 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 CX-5 | 16 | 0 | — | Unknown or Other | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2025 CX-5 | 28 | 0 | 5★ | Service Brakes | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2024 CX-5 | 45 | 0 | 5★ | Unknown or Other | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2023 CX-5 | 64 | 0 | 5★ | Service Brakes | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2022 CX-5 | 65 | 0 | 5★ | Exterior Lighting | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2021 CX-5 | 148 | 0 | 5★ | Engine | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2020 CX-5 | 107 | 0 | 5★ | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2019 CX-5 | 270 | 2 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2018 CX-5 | 351 | 3 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2017 CX-5 | 150 | 1 | 4★ | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2016 CX-5 | 510 | 4 | 4★ | Exterior Lighting | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2015 CX-5 | 133 | 3 | 5★ | Structure | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2014 CX-5 | 377 | 3 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2013 CX-5 | 194 | 1 | 4★ | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2012 CX-5 | 1 | 0 | — | Vehicle Speed Control |
More from Mazda: all Mazda models · Mazda VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda CX-5 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2014 (377), 2016 (510), 2018 (351), 2019 (270) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical CX-5 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Mazda CX-5?
Engine, with 594 complaints across 13 model years.
How many recalls does the Mazda CX-5 have?
8 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.