2021 Mazda CX-5 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other CX-5 years
- About as many complaints as other years 7th of 15 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- None on file
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Mazda CX-5. That ranks 7th out of 15 CX-5 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (80 complaints, 54%), typically at around 46,465 miles. Complaints mention 10 crashes, 8 injuries. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year.
_Auto_Zuerich_2025_DSC_3493.jpg){kind=link}
- 148owner complaints
- 0safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 10complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 Mazda CX-5 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 80 | 54% | 46,465 | “low oil” (29%) | — |
| Power Train | 17 | 11% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 17 | 11% | 256 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 12 | 8% | 3,015 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 11 | 7% | 114,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 11 | 7% | 40,503 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 7 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 7 | 5% | 95,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 5 | 3% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 3% | 2,700 | — | — |
| Tires | 3 | 2% | 64,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 3 | 2% | 35,000 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 1% | 30,500 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 1% | 81,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 1% | 3,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1% | 1,629 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | 50,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2021 Mazda CX-5 recalls (0)
No safety recalls are on file for the 2021 Mazda CX-5.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle driving approximately 40 - 50 MPH. The contact stated that due to the crash, the driver's seat unexpectedly reclined, and the driver's head restraint detached and…
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where an OBDII scanner discovered a misfire in cylinder#1. The vehicle was then taken to another independent…
Differential went and generated a cascading chain reaction destroying the coupler and breather and axles. Car is undrivable. This. Defect has a TSB
2021 Mazda CX-5 2.5L non-turbo. While driving at approximately 8 mph, I removed my foot from the accelerator, but the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated on its own. I did not press the accelerator pedal. I had to apply the brake to slow the vehicle down. This issue has occurred three separate times…
Twice while making left turns from a stop into faster cross traffic, the accelerator was pressed but the vehicle barely moved (coasting) for roughly 2 - 3 seconds, then suddenly accelerated normally, creating a near-collision risk as cross traffic quickly approached. No warning lights were observed…
Other Mazda CX-5 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 CX-5 | 16 | 0 |
| 2025 CX-5 | 28 | 0 |
| 2024 CX-5 | 45 | 0 |
| 2023 CX-5 | 64 | 0 |
| 2022 CX-5 | 65 | 0 |
| 2021 | 148 | 0 |
| 2020 CX-5 | 107 | 0 |
| 2019 CX-5 | 270 | 2 |
| 2018 CX-5 | 351 | 3 |
| 2017 CX-5 | 150 | 1 |
| 2016 CX-5 | 510 | 4 |
| 2015 CX-5 | 133 | 3 |
| 2014 CX-5 | 377 | 3 |
| 2013 CX-5 | 194 | 1 |
| 2012 CX-5 | 1 | 0 |
See all Mazda CX-5 problems by year, every Mazda model, or the Mazda VIN decoder.
Similar Mazda models
Embed this 2021 Mazda CX-5 badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Mazda CX-5?
Owners most often report engine, power train, unknown or other problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 80 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Mazda CX-5?
No safety recalls are on file for this model year.
Was the 2021 Mazda CX-5 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other CX-5 model years, the 2021 has about as many complaints as a typical year, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.