Is the 2020 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 has 152 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Mazda CX-5?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (30 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (25 complaints, avg repair $500); DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (21 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Mazda CX-5?

No recalls have been issued for the 2020 Mazda CX-5.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Mazda CX-5?

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 gets 28 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1714. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Mazda CX-5?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Mazda CX-5 is approximately $1,652/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2020 Mazda CX-5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 has 152 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 188. The most common issue is electrical problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: there is a known issue without a solution from mazda ' 2020 cx-5 has intermittent battery drain, causing the vehicle to power off or not start. happened to me 2x while vehicle was parked and running..

14 crash reports 7 injuries

152

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

30 complaints

20%

• THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITHOUT A SOLUTION FROM MAZDA ' 2020 CX-5 HAS INTERMITTENT BATTERY DRAIN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO POWER OFF OR NOT START. HAPPENED TO ME 2X WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RUNNING.
• PURCHASED BRAND NEW 2020 MAZDA CX-5 ON SEPT 25, 2020. ON SEPT. 29, 2020 WITH < 500MI: WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON COUNTY ROAD, PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL DID NOT MOVE. SEVERAL MALFUNCTION LIGHTS FLASHED INCLUDING "POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION", "SMART CITY BRAKE SUPPORT MALFUN
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF HER RESIDENCE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT CONTACTED AN INDEPENDENT MECHAINC WHO ARRIVED AT THE RESIDENCE AND JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAXON MAZDA (2

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITHOUT A SOLUTION FROM MAZDA ' 2020 CX-5 HAS INTERMITTENT BATTERY DRAIN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO POWER OFF OR NOT START. HAPPENED TO ME 2X WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RUNNING.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Mazda CX-5

Based on 31 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 3K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 3K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Mazda CX-5

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,715

Per month

$143

Per mile

14.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,549/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Mazda CX-5

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,652

Full coverage / month

$138

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-1%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1652

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mazda CX-5 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

120K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

SkyActiv-G naturally aspirated engines. AWD models need transfer case and rear differential service every 60K.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mazda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Mazda. If you're buying a used 2020 CX-5, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mazda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 152 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITHOUT A SOLUTION FROM MAZDA ' 2020 CX-5 HAS INTERMITTENT BATTERY DRAIN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO POWER OFF OR NOT START. HAPPENED TO ME 2X WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RUNNING.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: ON OCT. 6, 2020, WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON I-95 IN VIRGINIA, NEARING EXIT 133, OUR SUN ROOF SUDDENLY AND SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED OUTWARD. WE WERE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 50-60 MPH AND SLOWING TO LEAVE THE HIGHWAY AT EXIT 133. OUR CAR IS A 2020 MAZDA CX-5, PURCHASED IN JULY 2020. WE HAVE LESS THAN 4,000 MI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The contact owns a 2020 Mazda CX-5. The contact noticed that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the passenger blind spot monitoring light and sound failed to operate. The contact mentioned that the vehicle failed to let her know when a vehicle was nearby her. The vehicle was taken to the dealer
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: MASSIVE OIL LEAK NEAR THE ENGINE AND THE CYLINDER HEAD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS DEFECTIVE. THIS IS A 2020 VEHICLE. THE GASKET KIT AND THE ENGINE ARE ON BACKORDER SO MY CAR IS AT THE SHOP FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME ON THE ORDER OF POTENTIALLY SEVERAL MONTHS!
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)