Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

63 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
14

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

sudden stalling 3fluid leaks 3
A recent report: Timing chain cover ended up leaking oil everywhere. Was told this was a known issue with Mazda CX-5 and there was even a service bulletin out.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11738237 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
26

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 12software faults 2
A recent report: Humming sound coming from driver’s side headlight as soon as unlock bottom pressed in key fob. This sound comes from a faulty cooling fan inside the headlight and is a known defect. Humming sound…
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Humming sound coming from driver’s side headlight as soon as unlock bottom pressed in key fob. This sound comes from a faulty cooling fan inside the headlight and is a known defect. Humming sound progressed to very slow pitch indicating that fan function is diminishing over time. Mazda will replace the headlight but required me to pay $200 toward it. This should be a recall with replacement at no cost to the consumer as they are aware of the defect.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11745931 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
7

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 3 mention a crash.

loss of braking 2software faults 2unintended acceleration 2
A recent report: Brake rotors on all four wheels measured below minimum thickness specification at only 17,000 miles, requiring complete replacement of all rotors and pads. Rotors replaced at Koch Mazda (Easton, PA)…
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Brake rotors on all four wheels measured below minimum thickness specification at only 17,000 miles, requiring complete replacement of all rotors and pads. Rotors replaced at Koch Mazda (Easton, PA) on January 7, 2026 and no longer available for inspection. SAFETY RISK: Rotors below minimum spec have reduced structural integrity and heat dissipation capacity, creating risk of warping, cracking, or failure during emergency braking or sustained braking. Under-spec rotors can cause brake fade, increased stopping distances, and potential catastrophic failure. At 17,000 miles, this represents premature failure of a critical safety system. DEALER CONFIRMATION: Koch Mazda initially charged $89.99 for diagnostics claiming "nothing wrong" despite customer providing TSB 04-003/24 documentation. After formal complaint, dealership measured rotors below minimum spec and replaced all four rotors and pads as "non-warranty goodwill repair" (value $1,184.97). Calling it "goodwill" rather than warranty avoids documenting as defect claim. Dealership stated Mazda corporate approved the goodwill repair, indicating manufacturer awareness of widespread defect being managed case-by-case rather than through recall. WARNING SYMPTOMS: Popping/clicking noise when first moving forward or reverse after sitting idle. This symptom is specifically described in Mazda TSB 04-003/24 as caused by deteriorated grease between brake pads and shims. SYSTEMIC PATTERN: Research reveals hundreds of similar complaints across 2013-2025 CX-5 model years involving premature rotor/pad failure at 11,000-35,000 miles. TSB 04-003/24 addresses this exact pattern across multiple model years, confirming manufacturer awareness. Normal rotor life is 50,000-70,000 miles; failure at 17,000 miles suggests manufacturing defect, improper heat treatment, or design flaw affecting entire CX-5 brake system across 12+ model years.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11709508 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
3

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 1
A recent report: The four 225/55 R19 tires’, purchased 05/02/25 and available for inspection upon request, asymmetrical tread design has 5 treads & 4 troughs across its width. The center tread and the adjacent one to…
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The four 225/55 R19 tires’, purchased 05/02/25 and available for inspection upon request, asymmetrical tread design has 5 treads & 4 troughs across its width. The center tread and the adjacent one to its outside both have varied design water dispersal slots. When the tires are properly mounted with the word “outside” viewable on the outside of all 4 wheels and the vehicle is rolling forward, the 2 above referenced treads’ slots of the right side tires will force water away from the treads and into the adjacent troughs, but these same tread slots on the left side tires, now spun 180 degrees when mounted on the left side, will force water toward the center of the two above referenced treads, actually building up water upon the referenced treads’ surfaces, not dispersing it like on the right side tires. On wet roads, this will dangerously set up the likelihood of hydroplaning on the referenced left side treads, as well as a surface grabbing imbalance between the right and left side tires which sets things up for a spin out. When viewing the mounted tires, the above safety concerns are easy to envision. They appear to pose a risk for an accident, but Pirelli states that their tires are “engineered with advanced tread patterns that balance performance, safety, and comfort” and the tires are properly mounted as described. I have no data indicating that actual issues have been confirmed with my concerns, but I feel they are valid and that this asymmetrical tire should have also been designed and marketed as a directional tire, with left and right mirrored tread designs, which it has not been. I just noticed this tread discrepancy concern.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11689767 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
2

Most reports here involve airbags deploying unexpectedly. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

airbags deploying unexpectedly 1airbags not deploying 1
A recent report: I was driving to Home Depot after work around 6PM PST on [XXX] and must have fallen asleep at the wheel about a.1/4 of a mile from my house and left the road way after a turn. I hit my head so hard I…
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I was driving to Home Depot after work around 6PM PST on [XXX] and must have fallen asleep at the wheel about a.1/4 of a mile from my house and left the road way after a turn. I hit my head so hard I had to be treated for a head injury and the car dialed 911 for me to report a crash. The airbags nor any other safety system triggered besides detecting a crash and dialing 911. My car was deemed totalled by insurance and had to go to the hospital. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11630840 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
10

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 1
A recent report: Sunroof explosion while driving on the interstate and glass shards shot down on us. Sounded like a gunshot by head and it exploded.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11734137 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
1

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 1
A recent report: 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…
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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!

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11760538 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 63 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2022 and 2026, roughly 14 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.