Mazda CX-5 years to avoid (and the best years)

2,209 NHTSA owner complaints and 9 recalls across 14 model years, 2013 to 2026. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

2,209complaints
9recalls
107reported crashes
16reported fires
68reported injuries

Which Mazda CX-5 years should you avoid?

By NHTSA owner complaints, the Mazda CX-5 years to avoid are 2016, 2014 and 2019. The typical Mazda CX-5 year has 125 complaints on file.

2016: 510 complaints, 4.1 times the typical year. Most complaints name the exterior lighting (32% of complaints) and the brakes (14% of complaints).
2014: 377 complaints, 3.0 times the typical year. Most complaints name the electrical system (35% of complaints) and the wipers and visibility (21% of complaints).
2019: 270 complaints, 2.2 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (50% of complaints) and the electrical system (17% of complaints).

What are the best Mazda CX-5 years?

The Mazda CX-5 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (62), 2022 (63) and 2020 (106). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.

Every model year

Year	Complaints	vs typical year	Recalls	Crashes	Injuries	Our read	Most reported
2026	14	0.1×	0	0	0	Few red flags	Electrical system
2025	27	0.2×	0	4	4	Few red flags	Brakes
2024	44	0.4×	0	4	2	Few red flags	Brakes
2023	62	0.5×	0	8	5	Few red flags	Engine
2022	63	0.5×	0	5	1	Few red flags	Exterior lighting
2021	144	1.2×	0	9	7	Few red flags	Engine
2020	106	0.8×	0	9	6	Few red flags	Electrical system
2019	270	2.2×	2	7	5	Approach with caution	Engine
2018	117	0.9×	3	1	1	Few red flags	Engine
2017	148	1.2×	1	5	3	Few red flags	Electrical system
2016	510	4.1×	5	31	13	Approach with caution	Exterior lighting
2015	133	1.1×	4	11	7	Few red flags	Body and structure
2014	377	3.0×	4	7	6	Approach with caution	Electrical system
2013	194	1.6×	1	6	8	Some concerns to check	Electrical system

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 462 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Engine & powertrain166 (36%)
Electrical & infotainment120 (26%)
Brakes62 (13%)
Structure & body53 (11%)
Other systems23 (5%)

Recalls (9)

Fuel system · 21V875000 · Nov 2021 · model years 2018, 2019
Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 20V063000 · Feb 2020 · model year 2016
If the DRL fails, the vehicle's visibility may be reduced to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V497000 · Jun 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 18V426000 · Jun 2018 · model year 2018
If the air bags do not deploy properly in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 17V744000 · Nov 2017 · model year 2017
Contact with the muffler may damage the trailer wiring harness, potentially resulting in the trailer lighting being inoperative, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 16V644000 · Sep 2016 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Steering · 16V203000 · Apr 2016 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016
If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 16V064000 · Feb 2016 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016
A rupture of the fuel filler pipe may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Body & glass · 16E002000 · Jan 2016 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016
If the bracket loosens or detaches from the windshield, the safety features of the Smart City Brake Support system may be disabled and therefore increase the risk of a crash.