Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Mazda CX-5 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while attempting to turn off the vehicle, the vehicle failed to immediately turn off. After several attempts, the contact was able to turn off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000.
I was waiting at a traffic signal to make a left turn, with my foot on the brake. The car accelerated aggressively, with no warning, like the pedal was pushed to the floor. I stood on the brake and shoved the shifter into park - coming to a stop in the middle of the intersection, Fortunately my wheels were pointed straight and the car did not race into oncoming traffic. My [redacted] father was in the car with me. Thankfully, my grandchildren were NOT in the car. You could smell the gas and brakes. It was NOT driver foot placement, nor was it floor mats. Vehicle has ~ 75K miles, and I am terrified of this happening again. I had driven this car regularly in rush hour stop & go traffic for years with no event like this ever before. Apparently sudden unintended vehicle acceleration is a recognized problem.
After pushing the button to turn my car off, the engine turns off but none of the electronics does. I have to turn my car on and off numerous times to get the navigation/radio screen to turn off, I'm a single woman and I don't want to come back to my car to find a dead battery late at night with no one around. I was advised that Mazda was aware of the problem with the sensor #KDY0-46-040, but was not issuing a recall. https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion- t49115_ds799849?sntEmlId=1964374109#msg850430, which shows numerous people are having the same problem and Mazda has assisted some of them in having this part replaced at no cost. This issue should be a recall from Mazda. It's not a wear and tear kind of problem, after many complains they actually changed the specifics of the new part, showing that they know it was defective.
For the last couple of months every time I place my car in park and press the PUSH START/OFF BUTTON- the car does not completely shut off. So I start the car again, move the gear shift out of park all the way back into drive and back into park again in hopes when I push off button it will cut off. It is a gamble. Now I am having to cut the car on and off almost 6 times in a row to get it to cut off completely. Not only is it causing incredible wear and tear on my vehicle, it is a horrible defect that seems like it will be dangerous and costly in the long run. I think Mazda should recall this issue and fix it promptly!
I approached a traffic light, early in the morning on nov 17, 2014; and just slowed my speed to turn right (did not make a complete stop) when I tried to accelerate my car, speed did not respond and was stuck between 10 to 30 MPH. The engine was making a horrible noise, the tachometer was going crazy, got scared, so I pulled to the side of the road and shift gear to p, waited a minute and shift back to d, but car did not respond. Drove about a mile and decided to pull out and turn off my car for a few minutes an restarted fine. I took my car to the dealer the same day. They kept it for two days and said there was nothing wrong. On feb 13, 2015 had the same problem again, but this time I was at a red light, when tried to accelerate, car did not respond stuck at 25 to 30 MPH. I had to make a u turn, to be able to get to a parking lot. …
Engine/active accessories would not shut off. After stopped and put the vehicle into the park position, and pushed the start/stop button to turn off the vehicle, it would not shut off. It sounded like the engine shut off but the accessories were active and fully engaged and beeping. I tried pushing off button several times, restarting /shutting off again,and driving to another parking stall, I had to leave my car unlocked, actively engaged with active accessories fully on in my driveway at home, in shopping centers like target, walmart, the mall, and grocery store. Each time when I returned to my vehicle acc were still on. I had to drive the car a bit and keep trying to park until it shut off. …
I was slowly accelerating away from a stop light in traffic on a 4 lane highway when suddenly the transmission felt like it was shifting from 1st gear into reverse instead of 2nd gear. My AWD automatic transmission Mazda shook and it felt like it was shifting from 1st to reverse and back again repeatedly. I put it in neutral and coasted through the intersection. I stopped in the middle of the right lane and checked the gear lever which was in drive, no warning or check engine lights. I put it in gear and slowly drove forward and it started jerking again and I was forced to coast to a wider spot so I wouldn't get rear ended. I had it towed by aaa (the local driver reported I was the 6th Mazda CX-5 they towed for similar symptoms). They towed it to their recommended transmission shop and after a scan, the mechanic couldn't find any codes. …
When vehicle is parked and the shift is in p position the ignition does not turn off when pressing start stop button.the ignition stays on in accessory mode. I need to start and stop numerous times and put shift into r and then p to turn car off. It would take anywhere from 3 to 10 times. I searched the web and found this is a common problem in 2014 Mazda CX-5 and there are numerous complaint about it. This issue leads to driver stranded as without proper shutoff,it runs down battery. Mazda is fully aware of this issue and they have rectified the shifter switch with new part # kdy0-46-040. There was a service bulletin send to Mazda dealers on 12/22/15 and 4/11/16 on how to address this problem with bulletin no. 05-004/16 and now recommending to replace the switch unit with new part # kdy0-46-040. However there is no recall for this issue. …
2014 Mazda CX-5 won't shut off. On trying to turn off the car, the engine shuts off but the electronic display is still on. It is an issue with the parking gear sensor where the computer does not recognize the car is in parking gear. People have been seeing this issue for about 2 years now and Mazda refuses to fix the issue. Initially, the part was not available on the market but within the last year or so, they made it available. Apparently, Mazda also fixed the part from the 2015 version. The faulty number is kdy0-46-040. It is costing consumers hundreds of dollars and time to fix an obvious issue which Mazda refuses to acknowledge. Here is forum with peoples grievances regarding this issue. Even extended warranty does not cover this as per some peoples reviews. I contacted the extended warranty division with this issue and they refused to say that they will cover the issue. …
I purchased this vehicle in April 2015 as a new vehicle left over from 2014. Repeatedly, when decelerating, the engine continues to rev higher despite pressing the brake and keeping my foot off the gas pedal. This happens all the time and I've been told by both the dealership and Mazda that this is how the vehicle is designed. I fear the vehicle will not slow down when needed as it feels as if the engine is pushing to increase speed when I'm trying to slow down. It is extremely dangerous when the engine goes into overdrive for fast acceleration such as entering a highway and then a rapid deceleration is required such as when encountering sudden traffic. I've also noticed other issues with the electrical systems (blind spot indicators working inconsistently; hd stereo fading in and out; bad reception on strong radio stations) and I believe they are all related to a bad computer. …
Transmission complaints in other CX-5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2014 Mazda CX-5?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2014 Mazda CX-5, 13% of the model year's 377 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › lever and linkage › floor shift (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Mazda CX-5 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2014 Mazda CX-5, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Mazda CX-5 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
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.