Mazda CX-5 Problems by Year

We compared every Mazda CX-5 model year from 2013–2026 using 2,461 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 8 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2016, 2014 and 2018, which drew far more complaints than other CX-5 years at the same age. The best years are 2015, 2020 and 2017.

14model years
2,461complaints
8recalls
2016, 2014worst years
2015, 2020best years

Complaints by model year

201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520261943771335101503512711071486566452816
Owner complaints per model year, Mazda CX-5. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
2026161.8×—ElectricalAverage
202528typical—BrakeAverage
202445−25%—BrakeAverage
202366−17%—BrakeAverage
202265−36%—HeadlightAverage
2021148typical—EngineAverage
2020107−48%—ElectricalGood
20192711.2×2EngineAverage
20183512.0×3EngineCaution
2017150−45%1ElectricalGood
20165102.9×4HeadlightAvoid
2015133−52%3BodyGood
20143772.2×3ElectricalAvoid
2013194−29%1ElectricalAverage

* Complaints compared with the median CX-5 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Mazda CX-5 problems

Latest Mazda CX-5 recalls

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 21V-875 · Nov 12, 2021 · 121,038 vehicles

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.

Exterior lighting › Headlights

NHTSA recall 20V-063 · Feb 6, 2020 · 36,761 vehicles

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 CX-5 vehicles. The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may fail while driving.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlights, and replace the sealing gasket or headlight assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2020.

Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)

NHTSA recall 19V-497 · Jun 27, 2019 · 262,220 vehicles

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4.

Air bags › Side/window

NHTSA recall 18V-426 · Jun 25, 2018 · 682 vehicles

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda CX-5 vehicles. In the event of a side impact or rollover crash, the side curtain air bags may not properly unfold during deployment.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4.

Trailer hitches

NHTSA recall 17V-744 · Nov 21, 2017 · 1,076 vehicles

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2017 CX-5 vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness. This harness may be routed such that there is insufficient clearance between the harness and the exhaust muffler, allowing the wiring harness to contact the muffler.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the trailer hitch harness away from the muffler, replacing the harness if it is damaged, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2018.

All 8 Mazda CX-5 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Mazda CX-5 should you avoid?

2016, 2014 and 2018 — these years have the most complaints relative to other CX-5 years at the same age, led by lights problems in the 2016.

What is the best year for the Mazda CX-5?

2015 has the fewest complaints compared with other CX-5 years at the same age, followed by 2020 and 2017. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Mazda CX-5 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (608), electrical system (459) and transmission & drivetrain (283). Engine complaints peak in the 2018 model year.

How many recalls has the Mazda CX-5 had?

8 recalls across 2013–2026. The model year with the most is 2016. See all Mazda CX-5 recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.