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Mazda CX-5 years to avoid

Every model year from 2013 to 2026, judged from its own NHTSA owner complaints (2,448 in all). Data through Oct 4, 2026.

No Mazda CX-5 model year shows serious known problems in owner complaints. The 2015 and 2017–2023 CX-5 show no pattern of serious problems.

Check carefully
201320142016
No pattern of serious problems
20152017201820192020202120222023
Too few complaints to judge
202420252026

Every year at a glance

Crash test = NHTSA's overall star rating. “Crash, fire, injury” = complaints reporting one (share of the year's complaints). Counts depend on how many were sold, so they aren't a ranking.

YearVerdictComplaintsCrash, fire, injuryRecallsCrash testMost reported problem
2013Check carefully19410 (5%)14/5Ignition won't shut off (27%)
2014Check carefully3779 (2%)45/5Ignition won't shut off (43%)
2015No pattern13314 (11%)45/5Windshield cracks easily (10%)
2016Check carefully51043 (8%)54/5LED headlight or daytime running light fails (29%)
2017No pattern1487 (5%)14/5Screen or infotainment glitches (32%)
2018No pattern35022 (6%)34–5/5Cracked cylinder head (30%)
2019No pattern27010 (4%)25/5Cracked cylinder head (37%)
2020No pattern10713 (12%)None5/5Screen or infotainment glitches (30%)
2021No pattern1479 (6%)None5/5Oil consumption (43%)
2022No pattern637 (11%)None5/5Noisy headlight cooling fan (29%)
2023No pattern638 (13%)None5/5Sudden or unintended acceleration (14%)
2024Too few445 (11%)NoneNot ratedToo few to judge
2025Too few287 (25%)NoneNot ratedToo few to judge
2026Too few140 (0%)NoneNot ratedToo few to judge

Why each year got its verdict

Each year is judged on its own complaints only. Complaint counts are shown for context, not as a ranking: they depend on how many were sold and how long they've been on the road.

First generation: 2013–2016

Engines: 2.0L four-cylinder, 2.5L four-cylinder (from 2014). Refresh for 2016.

Most reported across the 2013–2016 model years (1,214 complaints researched): ignition would not shut off (18%), led headlight or daytime running light fails (12%) and windshield cracking (10%).

  • 2013
    Check carefully

    13% of complaints describe transmission problems.

    194 complaints · 1 recall

  • 2014
    Check carefully

    5% of complaints describe transmission problems.

    377 complaints · 4 recalls

  • 2015
    No pattern

    Largest serious problem: transmission problems, 11% of complaints. No urgent recall.

    133 complaints · 4 recalls

  • 2016
    Check carefully

    8% of complaints describe brake problems.

    510 complaints · 5 recalls

Second generation: 2017–2025

Engines: 2.5L four-cylinder, 2.5L turbo four-cylinder (from 2019), 2.2L turbo-diesel (2019). Update for 2022.

Most reported across the 2017–2023 model years (1,148 complaints researched): cracked cylinder head (18%), oil leaks or low oil (18%) and screen or infotainment glitches (15%).

  • 2017
    No pattern

    Largest serious problem: engine failure or stalling, 12% of complaints. No urgent recall.

    148 complaints · 1 recall

  • 2018
    No pattern

    Largest serious problem: engine failure or stalling, 13% of complaints. No urgent recall.

    350 complaints · 3 recalls

  • 2019
    No pattern

    Largest serious problem: engine failure or stalling, 6% of complaints. No urgent recall.

    270 complaints · 2 recalls

  • 2020
    No pattern

    Largest serious problem: brake problems, 12% of complaints. No urgent recall.

    107 complaints · no recalls · Full 2020 report

  • 2021
    No pattern

    Largest serious problem: engine failure or stalling, 3% of complaints. No urgent recall.

    147 complaints · no recalls

  • 2022
    No pattern

    Largest serious problem: brake problems, 5% of complaints. No urgent recall.

    63 complaints · no recalls

  • 2023
    No pattern

    Largest serious problem: brake problems, 10% of complaints. No urgent recall.

    63 complaints · no recalls · Full 2023 report

  • 2024
    Too few
    44 complaints on file, fewer than 50.
  • 2025
    Too few
    28 complaints on file, fewer than 50.

Third generation: 2026

Engines: 2.5L four-cylinder.

  • 2026
    Too few
    14 complaints on file, fewer than 50.

Generation years: source.

Main problems by year

The problems owners report most across the 2013–2023 CX-5 (2,362 complaints researched), and how much of each year's complaints they make up.

Problem20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
Ignition won't shut off2013: 27%2014: 43%2015: 2%2016: 0.2%2017: –2018: 0.3%2019: –2020: –2021: 0.7%2022: 2%2023: –
Oil leaks or low oil2013: 0.5%2014: –2015: –2016: 0.2%2017: –2018: 28%2019: 34%2020: 5%2021: 6%2022: 5%2023: 2%
Cracked cylinder head2013: –2014: –2015: –2016: –2017: –2018: 30%2019: 37%2020: 3%2021: 0.7%2022: 3%2023: 2%
Screen or infotainment glitches2013: –2014: 0.5%2015: –2016: 5%2017: 32%2018: 11%2019: 19%2020: 30%2021: 5%2022: –2023: –
LED headlight or daytime running light fails2013: –2014: –2015: –2016: 29%2017: –2018: –2019: –2020: –2021: –2022: 6%2023: –
Share of each model year's owner complaints that describe the problem. A complaint can describe more than one problem.

The main CX-5 problems

Each problem across every model year: which years it hits, at what mileage, whether repairs fixed it, and in owners' own words.

Ignition won't shut off

Serious

The car stays in accessory mode or keeps electronics running after the owner tries to turn it off in park. 220 owner complaints about the 2013–2023 CX-5 describe it (9% of all we researched).

  • 201327% · 53
  • 201443% · 161
  • 20152% · 2
  • 20160.2% · 1
  • 2017none
  • 20180.3% · 1
  • 2019none
  • 2020none
  • 20210.7% · 1
  • 20222% · 1
  • 2023none

Share of that year's complaints · number of complaints

When owners report it

68,000 mi

median of 149 owners who gave a mileage; half between 50,000 and 88,500

Did a repair fix it?

14 of 16

owners who described a repair say it didn't fix the problem (1 more say partly)

Crash, fire or injury

3

of these 220 complaints report one

In owners' words

“After stopped and put the vehicle into the park position, and pushed the start/stop button to turn off the vehicle, it would not shut off.”
2014 CX-5Owner in CA2.5L 4-cylFiled 2016NHTSA 10893225
“Ignition button to not allow vehicle to shut down completely unless you fidget the shifter back and forth”
2013 CX-5Owner in FL2.0LFiled 2018NHTSA 11092139

Oil leaks or low oil

Serious

Oil escaping from the engine, often with a burning smell, smoke or a low oil warning. 211 owner complaints about the 2013–2023 CX-5 describe it (9% of all we researched).

  • 20130.5% · 1
  • 2014none
  • 2015none
  • 20160.2% · 1
  • 2017none
  • 201828% · 99
  • 201934% · 92
  • 20205% · 5
  • 20216% · 9
  • 20225% · 3
  • 20232% · 1

Share of that year's complaints · number of complaints

When owners report it

56,900 mi

median of 103 owners who gave a mileage; half between 38,000 and 74,500

Did a repair fix it?

13 of 31

owners who described a repair say it didn't fix the problem (2 more say partly)

What owners paid

$5,550

median of 12 owner-paid amounts; half between $3,000 and $6,000

Crash, fire or injury

1

of these 211 complaints report one

In owners' words

“The only way I knew it was leaking was because I smelled burnt oil and then looked under the car to see the drops from the leak.”
2018 CX-5Owner in VT2.5L 4-cylFiled 2022NHTSA 11462473
“A burning oil smell began, then thick white smoke came from under the hood while driving and after stopping.”
2019 CX-5Owner in CA2.5L 4-cylFiled 2025NHTSA 11704576

More detail, year by year: 2020 · 2023

Cracked cylinder head

Serious

A crack in the engine's cylinder head, which owners usually discover through oil leaks and burning smells. 211 owner complaints about the 2013–2023 CX-5 describe it (9% of all we researched).

  • 2013none
  • 2014none
  • 2015none
  • 2016none
  • 2017none
  • 201830% · 104
  • 201937% · 100
  • 20203% · 3
  • 20210.7% · 1
  • 20223% · 2
  • 20232% · 1

Share of that year's complaints · number of complaints

When owners report it

55,700 mi

median of 98 owners who gave a mileage; half between 40,500 and 74,800

Did a repair fix it?

8 of 29

owners who described a repair say it didn't fix the problem (2 more say partly)

What owners paid

$5,600

median of 46 owner-paid amounts; half between $4,925 and $7,000

In owners' words

“Three days later it started leaking oil, staining my driveway, with the leak getting progressively worse then my check oil light went on”
2018 CX-5Owner in MN2.5L 4-cylFiled 2023NHTSA 11549770
“I also felt a slightly reduced engine performance and could see the car emitting smoke from the engine bay.”
2019 CX-5Owner in MI2.5L 4-cylFiled 2025NHTSA 11645265

More detail, year by year: 2020 · 2023

Screen or infotainment glitches

Minor

The touchscreen or infotainment system acts on its own, changing settings, volume or audio source, or stops working. 205 owner complaints about the 2013–2023 CX-5 describe it (9% of all we researched).

  • 2013none
  • 20140.5% · 2
  • 2015none
  • 20165% · 27
  • 201732% · 47
  • 201811% · 40
  • 201919% · 50
  • 202030% · 32
  • 20215% · 7
  • 2022none
  • 2023none

Share of that year's complaints · number of complaints

When owners report it

35,700 mi

median of 32 owners who gave a mileage; half between 7,500 and 47,800

Did a repair fix it?

20 of 24

owners who described a repair say it didn't fix the problem (2 more say partly)

What owners paid

$864

median of 27 owner-paid amounts; half between $600 and $1,000

Crash, fire or injury

3

of these 205 complaints report one

In owners' words

“The screen is experiencing frequent “ghost touch” or phantom button presses, where functions are activated without any input.”
2019 CX-5Owner in CA2.5L 4-cylFiled 2025NHTSA 11661882
“The infotainment system keeps rebooting while drive, stationary, in motion & on a city/highway”
2017 CX-5Owner in MN2.5L 4-cylFiled 2020NHTSA 11384491
“The touch screen is not touched, but the infotainment system still reacts and changes inputs, adjusts volume, and performs other actions.”
2018 CX-5Owner in CA2.5L 4-cylFiled 2022NHTSA 11481762

More detail, year by year: 2020

LED headlight or daytime running light fails

Minor

The LED daytime running lights or headlights flicker, dim or stop working, often on one side first. 150 owner complaints about the 2013–2023 CX-5 describe it (6% of all we researched).

  • 2013none
  • 2014none
  • 2015none
  • 201629% · 146
  • 2017none
  • 2018none
  • 2019none
  • 2020none
  • 2021none
  • 20226% · 4
  • 2023none

Share of that year's complaints · number of complaints

When owners report it

39,500 mi

median of 124 owners who gave a mileage; half between 30,000 and 51,300

Did a repair fix it?

5 of 20

owners who described a repair say it didn't fix the problem (10 more say partly)

What owners paid

$1,200

median of 66 owner-paid amounts; half between $1,000 and $1,300

Recall owners cite most: 20V063000 (6 complaints). See recalls for which years it covers and what dealers do.

In owners' words

“They stated that my headlights were the wrong production dates so they did nothing for the recall yet marked the repair as "completed" according to Mazda.”
2016 CX-5Owner in WA2.5L 4-cylFiled 2022NHTSA 11459871

Mazda CX-5 recalls

Every NHTSA recall campaign for the 2013–2026 CX-5, do-not-drive and park-outside warnings first, with the model years each covers. Check any used CX-5's VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls: an open recall is fixed free.

  • Delivery › Fuel pumpThe impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.2018–2019 modelsNov 12, 2021121,038 vehicles21V875000
    Defect
    The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
    Risk
    Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy
    Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge.
  • Exterior lighting › HeadlightsThe LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may fail while driving.2016 modelFeb 6, 202036,761 vehicles20V063000
    Defect
    The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may fail while driving.
    Risk
    If the DRL fails, the vehicle's visibility may be reduced to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy
    Dealers will inspect the headlights, and replace the sealing gasket or headlight assemblies, as necessary, free of charge.
  • EngineA software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.2018–2019 modelsJun 27, 2019262,220 vehicles19V497000
    Defect
    A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
    Risk
    An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy
    Dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge.
  • Air bags › Side/windowIn the event of a side impact or rollover crash, the side curtain air bags may not properly unfold during deployment.…2018 modelJun 25, 2018682 vehicles18V426000
    Defect
    In the event of a side impact or rollover crash, the side curtain air bags may not properly unfold during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
    Risk
    If the air bags do not deploy properly in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
    Remedy
    Dealers will replace the curtain air bags, free of charge.
  • Trailer hitchesMazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2017 CX-5 vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer…2017 modelNov 21, 20171,076 vehicles17V744000
    Defect
    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2017 CX-5 vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness.
    Risk
    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.
    Remedy
    Dealers will reroute the trailer hitch harness away from the muffler, replacing the harness if it is damaged, free of charge.
  • Body › Hatchback/liftgateOn the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the…2013–2016 modelsSep 6, 2016580,455 vehicles16V644000
    Defect
    On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
    Risk
    If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
    Remedy
    Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available.
  • SteeringThe lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing…2014–2016 modelsApr 11, 2016578 vehicles16V203000
    Defect
    The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.
    Risk
    If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy
    Dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle.
  • Tank assembly › Filler pipe and capThe affected vehicles have a fuel filler pipe that may rupture in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail…2014–2016 modelsFeb 3, 2016268,799 vehicles16V064000
    Defect
    The affected vehicles have a fuel filler pipe that may rupture in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
    Risk
    A rupture of the fuel filler pipe may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
    Remedy
    Dealers will alter the attachment between the fuel filler pipe and the left rear side of the bracket of the fuel filler pipe, free of charge.
  • Visibility › WindshieldThe affected windshields have a bracket mounted on the inside to hold a laser sensor or LIDAR device for the Smart…2014–2016 modelsJan 19, 2016193 vehicles16E002000
    Defect
    The affected windshields have a bracket mounted on the inside to hold a laser sensor or LIDAR device for the Smart City Brake Support system. These brackets were improperly affixed with only tape instead of tape and urethane and therefore may loosen.
    Risk
    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.
    Remedy
    Pilkington will contact the wholesalers and retailers that purchased the windshields to try to identify the affected customers.

What to do

Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If a recall is open, any dealer will fix it free. For NHTSA's full record of a campaign, search its number there (for example 21V875000).

How we judge each year

We research every owner complaint filed with NHTSA for each model year and judge the year on its own complaints: whether one serious problem (transmission, engine or stalling, steering, brakes, airbags, fire, fuel leaks) makes up a large share of them, whether an unusual share report a crash, fire, injury or loss of power while moving, whether serious failures come early, and whether NHTSA issued a do-not-drive or park-outside recall or opened an investigation. We use shares, not counts, so a year that sold well isn't marked down for having more owners. More on our verdicts.

Questions

What years of the Mazda CX-5 should you avoid?

None of the years we could judge shows serious known problems in owner complaints.

Which Mazda CX-5 years have no pattern of serious problems?

The 2015 and 2017–2023 CX-5. Their complaints don’t cluster on a serious defect. That’s not proof a car is trouble-free: check any used car's recalls and get an inspection.

Why are some Mazda CX-5 years not judged?

The 2024–2026 have fewer than 50 owner complaints on file, too few to judge. New model years often haven’t been on the road long enough.

What is the most common problem with the Mazda CX-5?

Ignition won't shut off: 220 owner complaints (9%) across the 2013–2023 model years describe it, the largest share in the 2014 (43% of that year's complaints). Owners report it at a median of 68,000 miles. Of 16 owners who described a repair, 14 say it didn't fix the problem.

How many recalls does the Mazda CX-5 have?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2013–2026 CX-5, none with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. Any dealer fixes an open recall free.