2021 Mazda CX-5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 has 188 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (41% of all complaints), specifically: on 17-may-2021 after sitting unused for 1 day my mazda cx-5, mfg year 2021 with about 1,500 miles did not start. all electrical systems failed, there was no indication of any power present. the vehicle is presently at the dealership it was purchased at about 90 days ago, 495 mazda in lowell ma .

20 crash reports 19 injuries

188

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

78 complaints

41%

• On 17-MAY-2021 after sitting unused for 1 day my Mazda CX-5, mfg year 2021 with about 1,500 miles did not start. All electrical systems failed, there was no indication of any power present. The vehicle is presently at the dealership it was purchased at about 90 days ago, 495 Mazda in Lowell MA
• ON Nov 4th my Mazda CX5 alerted me to low engine oil level by illuminating dashboard symbol and app notification. I attached a file containing an explanation of the issue, emails directed to Mazda corporation and Napelton Mazda in Naperville IL. I also attached screenshots of the in app notification
• Bought the car brand new in May 2021, did a first oil change at around 4K miles due to the fact the car uses conventional 5w-30 oil and not synthetic oil. At around 7k miles the low oil engine light came on. Checked the dipstick and it was low. Added a quart of oil to hold me over until the next ava

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

“On 17-MAY-2021 after sitting unused for 1 day my Mazda CX-5, mfg year 2021 with about 1,500 miles did not start. All electrical systems failed, there was no indication of any power present. The vehicle is presently at the dealership it was purchased at about 90 days ago, 495 Mazda in Lowell MA ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

16 complaints

• On 17-MAY-2021 after sitting unused for 1 day my Mazda CX-5, mfg year 2021 with about 1,500 miles did not start. All electrical systems failed, there was no indication of any power present. The vehicle is presently at the dealership it was purchased at about 90 days ago, 495 Mazda in Lowell MA
• Bought the car brand new in May 2021, did a first oil change at around 4K miles due to the fact the car uses conventional 5w-30 oil and not synthetic oil. At around 7k miles the low oil engine light came on. Checked the dipstick and it was low. Added a quart of oil to hold me over until the next ava
• When the cylinder deactivation system triggers It causes the engine/car to shake and stutter. Somtimes it's suttle and other times if feels like the car is going to stall out. It's a vibration that makes it feel like your driving over cobblestones. This has been ongoing for a few months now. I'm t

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

16 complaints

• The blind spot monitoring system does not function properly. While on the freeway some vehicles show up and some do not. I took it to the dealer, and they test drove it and said it was working properly and there were no codes. I contacted Mazda and they made a second appointment for me, and I took
• BSM Does not see all vehicles in the blind spot. It is very inconsistent. I have taken it to the dealer who told me that they could not repair it because no fault code shows up. Mazda has not been helpful.
• I bought a 2021 Mazda CX-5 from Ramsey Mazda of Des Moines, IA. It offered comparable comfort & features. A selling point was the safety features touted by the salesman. Odd things occurred during the first few months but I attributed it to a learning curve. I saw some odd messages but I really did

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

“The blind spot monitoring system does not function properly. While on the freeway some vehicles show up and some do not. I took it to the dealer, and they test drove it and said it was working properly and there were no codes. I contacted Mazda and they made a second appointment for me, and I took ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

15 complaints

• THE PAINT ON THIS CAR IS NOTORIOUSLY POOR AND MAZDA IS AWARE. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON 16 FEBRUARY 2021, DROVE IT HOME AND LEFT IT IN THE DRIVEWAY DUE TO SNOW/ICE. ON THURSDAY, 18 FEBRUARY INSTEAD OF BRUSHING OR SCRAPING OFF THE ICE WE LEFT IT TO MELT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE ICE MELT LEFT HUGE SC
• THE INFORMANT CONTROLS ARE NOT SAFE TO USE WHILE DRIVING. WAY TO MANY SUB GROUPS TO SCROLL THROUGH JUST TO GET THE RADIO TO WORK. VERY CONFUSING AND DISTRACTING.
• The design of the remote control is poor. Placement of the buttons on the side and the light pressure needed to activate the unlock for the trunk has led to it opening unexpectedly. It can open and strike a pedestrian when you did not intend to activate the powered trunk open feature. It could also

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“THE PAINT ON THIS CAR IS NOTORIOUSLY POOR AND MAZDA IS AWARE. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON 16 FEBRUARY 2021, DROVE IT HOME AND LEFT IT IN THE DRIVEWAY DUE TO SNOW/ICE. ON THURSDAY, 18 FEBRUARY INSTEAD OF BRUSHING OR SCRAPING OFF THE ICE WE LEFT IT TO MELT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE ICE MELT LEFT HUGE SC”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

11 complaints

• WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW OFF THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP LOT YESTERDAY WITH 5 MILES ON THE ODO. AS MY HUSBAND PULLED OFF THE LOT HE SMELLED A BURNING SMELL AND THE BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY'D SEIZED UP A BIT. HE PULLED OVER AND THOUGHT ABOUT TURNING BACK ONTO THE LOT, BUT THEN THOUGHT IT MAY BE JUST BECAUSE THEY'
• On April 16, 2022, around 6:45PM, I drove my new Mazda CX5 (@ 3500 miles) into our church parking lot and turned right down the first row of cars. It was light out and the weather was pleasant. I turned right into a parking space with my foot on the brake. The car was facing and perpendicular to
• Upon exiting my local car wash, I drove my car around to the area used for vacuuming. I pulled into the parking space and when I applied the brake pedal to stop, the car suddenly accelerated and crashed into the wall of the building. I have the Car Wash Security Camera footage of this incident. I

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW OFF THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP LOT YESTERDAY WITH 5 MILES ON THE ODO. AS MY HUSBAND PULLED OFF THE LOT HE SMELLED A BURNING SMELL AND THE BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY'D SEIZED UP A BIT. HE PULLED OVER AND THOUGHT ABOUT TURNING BACK ONTO THE LOT, BUT THEN THOUGHT IT MAY BE JUST BECAUSE THEY'”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~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 188 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: On 17-MAY-2021 after sitting unused for 1 day my Mazda CX-5, mfg year 2021 with about 1,500 miles did not start. All electrical systems failed, there was no indication of any power present. The vehicle is presently at the dealership it was purchased at about 90 days ago, 495 Mazda in Lowell MA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: On 17-MAY-2021 after sitting unused for 1 day my Mazda CX-5, mfg year 2021 with about 1,500 miles did not start. All electrical systems failed, there was no indication of any power present. The vehicle is presently at the dealership it was purchased at about 90 days ago, 495 Mazda in Lowell MA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The blind spot monitoring system does not function properly. While on the freeway some vehicles show up and some do not. I took it to the dealer, and they test drove it and said it was working properly and there were no codes. I contacted Mazda and they made a second appointment for me, and I took
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE PAINT ON THIS CAR IS NOTORIOUSLY POOR AND MAZDA IS AWARE. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON 16 FEBRUARY 2021, DROVE IT HOME AND LEFT IT IN THE DRIVEWAY DUE TO SNOW/ICE. ON THURSDAY, 18 FEBRUARY INSTEAD OF BRUSHING OR SCRAPING OFF THE ICE WE LEFT IT TO MELT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE ICE MELT LEFT HUGE SC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)