Mazda CX-5 problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 826 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls for the Mazda CX-5. That averages 18.9 complaints per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (index 0.45 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Compact SUVs segment it ranks #1 of 12 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 62.1.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Over eight model years from 2018 to 2025, NHTSA logged 826 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls for the Mazda CX-5, averaging 18.9 complaints per year which is far fewer than typical at an index of 0.45 against all tracked vehicles. While the 2019 model year shows the highest rate at 34.8 complaints per year and runs at least 50% above the model's own average, recent data indicates a worsening trend where 2023 and 2024 models run 150% above earlier years with 24 early complaints versus 10. The most common problem area is Engine accounting for 44.2% of complaints including recurring terms like "cylinder head" and "cracked cylinder," while 52 complaints or 6.3% describe a crash or fire involving 31 injuries and 0 deaths. Although half of all reported incidents occur within 47 months of the model year's start, this vehicle currently has fewer complaints per year than every other tracked Compact SUV model including the Volkswagen Tiguan and Kia Sportage.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 150% above the 2018 and 2019 models (24 early complaints per model year versus 10).
The 2019 model year has the highest rate (34.8 complaints per year) and the 2018 model year the lowest (13.5). The 2019 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average — the one to research most carefully.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (44.2% of complaints), followed by Electrical (11.4%) and Interior & equipment (9.3%). Engine complaints are 2.0 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “cylinder head”, “oil”, “cracked cylinder”, “leak” and “burning”. 52 complaints (6.3%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 31 injuries and 0 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 245 complaints versus 191 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2019 model year generated the most recent reports (55). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 47 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 3 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2018 (1). No NHTSA defect investigation covers the tracked model years.
It has fewer complaints per year than every other tracked model among Compact SUVs, including Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage, Jeep Compass and Subaru Forester.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Fewest complaints | 117 | 13.5 | 0.32 | 0 | 0.0 | 51 | 3 | Engine | View › |
| 2019 Years to research carefully | 267 | 34.8 | 0.83 | 21 | 0.26 | 55 | 2 | Engine | View › |
| 2020 | 106 | 15.9 | 0.38 | 24 | 0.42 | 21 | 0 | Electrical | View › |
| 2021 | 143 | 25.2 | 0.6 | 61 | 1.0 | 25 | 0 | Engine | View › |
| 2022 | 63 | 13.5 | 0.32 | 18 | 0.24 | 23 | 0 | Lighting | View › |
| 2023 | 61 | 16.6 | 0.39 | 24 | 0.29 | 24 | 0 | Engine | View › |
| 2024 | 42 | 15.7 | 0.37 | 25 | 0.36 | 21 | 0 | Engine | View › |
| 2025 | 27 | 16.1 | 0.38 | — | — | 25 | 0 | Brakes | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 245 · Previous 12 months: 191 Steady
Problem areas
Engine ›
365 · 44.2% · 1.99 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- cylinder head167
- oil249
- cracked cylinder82
- leak106
Interior & equipment ›
77 · 9.3% · 1.04 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- ghost19
- infotainment18
- touch15
- settings14
Body & structure ›
51 · 6.2% · 0.67 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- mirror10
- glass13
- sunroof11
- wind7
Transmission / powertrain ›
43 · 5.2% · 0.45 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- oil19
- cylinder head8
- cracked cylinder6
- burning7
Driver-assist systems ›
40 · 4.8% · 0.84 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- braking17
- lane15
- smart5
- front16
Lighting
38 · 4.6% · 2.94 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- headlight27
- fan19
- noise19
- cooling11
Airbags & seat belts
20 · 2.4% · 0.63 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- air bag8
- airbags7
- passenger air3
- deployed5
Other
17 · 2.1% · 1.14 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- seat8
- acceleration4
- accelerated3
- speed6
Fuel system
16 · 1.9% · 0.45 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- fuel10
- system gasoline5
- gasoline recall4
- received7
Wheels, tires & suspension
11 · 1.3% · 0.53 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- tires8
- spare4
- tread4
- answer3
Steering
5 · 0.6% · 0.09 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- cylinder head177
- oil274
- cracked cylinder89
- leak112
- burning90
- smoke96
- head cracked33
- ghost47
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 47 months
What owners report
While driving in the Interstate, a truck swerved towards my lane; I swerved into the next lane to avoid the truck hitting me and when I began to swerve my Lane Departure warning malfunctioned and caused my car to completely shut down.
At about 6:50am July 7th 2026, I was getting in the exit lane of interstate 50 to exit. I merge into the lane and being applying my breaks since I was going about 55-60mph. However, my vehicle did not slow down.
On 09/01/2026 at approximately 55 mph, I was driving with adaptive cruise control engaged. The vehicle ahead decelerated abruptly. My vehicle began braking hard with no input from me for a fraction of a second.
After vehicle has been parked for awhile, for example over night, there is a Popping sound or Clunking from front of vehicle after moving vehicle and applying brakes at first stop. Noise has been there since 2024.
Uppababy markets their removable padding and fabric as washing machine friendly. Fabric was washed one time in the washer and the sharp Velcro stuck to the back of the fabric, ripping it. Brand new aria v2 car seat!
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Compact SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazda CX-5 | 826 | 18.9 | 0.45 | Worsening | Steady | 3 | Engine |
| 2 | Volkswagen Tiguan | 1,181 | 28.2 | 0.67 | Improving | Rising | 26 | Engine |
| 3 | Kia Sportage | 949 | 28.5 | 0.68 | Worsening | Rising | 11 | Engine |
| 4 | Jeep Compass | 1,819 | 34.7 | 0.83 | Improving | Steady | 11 | Engine |
| 5 | Subaru Forester | 2,417 | 49.5 | 1.18 | Improving | Steady | 12 | Body & structure |
| 6 | Jeep Cherokee | 2,798 | 61.9 | 1.47 | Improving | Steady | 21 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 7 | Chevrolet Equinox | 1,917 | 62.9 | 1.49 | Stable | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 8 | Toyota RAV4 | 3,075 | 71.4 | 1.7 | Improving | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 9 | Hyundai Tucson | 2,247 | 73.5 | 1.75 | Worsening | Rising | 14 | Engine |
| 10 | Nissan Rogue | 2,991 | 81.0 | 1.92 | Improving | Rising | 24 | Engine |
| 11 | Ford Escape | 5,144 | 97.3 | 2.31 | Stable | Steady | 49 | Engine |
| 12 | Honda CR-V | 5,760 | 137.9 | 3.28 | Stable | Steady | 24 | Steering |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 3
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (3) · 2019 (2) · 2020 (0) · 2021 (0) · 2022 (0) · 2023 (0) · 2024 (0) · 2025 (0)
Investigations
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda CX-5 model year has the most complaints?
The 2019 model year has the highest rate (34.8 complaints per year) and the 2018 model year the lowest (13.5).
Is the Mazda CX-5 getting better or worse?
The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 150% above the 2018 and 2019 models (24 early complaints per model year versus 10). In the last 12 months owners filed 245 complaints versus 191 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Mazda CX-5 problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (44.2% of complaints), followed by Electrical (11.4%) and Interior & equipment (9.3%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “cylinder head”, “oil”, “cracked cylinder”, “leak” and “burning”.
How does the Mazda CX-5 compare with other Compact SUVs?
Within the Compact SUVs segment it ranks #1 of 12 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 62.1. It has fewer complaints per year than every other tracked model among Compact SUVs, including Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage, Jeep Compass and Subaru Forester.
Does the Mazda CX-5 have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 3 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2018 (1). No NHTSA defect investigation covers the tracked model years.