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U.S. public vehicle records

2021 Mazda CX-5 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

143 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

11,700 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 77 of 143 complaints (53.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior2114.7%
Electrical and battery issues74.9%
Steering behavior64.2%
Transmission and shifting42.8%
Engine operation42.8%
Fuel system concerns21.4%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine
77
Power Train
16
Unknown Or Other
16
Electrical System
12
Service Brakes
11
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
8
Vehicle Speed Control
8
Fuel/Propulsion System
7
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine77
Power Train16
Unknown Or Other16
Electrical System12
Service Brakes11
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking8
Vehicle Speed Control8
Fuel/Propulsion System7

Engine: 77; Power Train: 16; Unknown Or Other: 16; Electrical System: 12; Service Brakes: 11; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 7

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
10
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00010
25,000 to 49,9993
50,000 to 74,9992
75,000 to 99,9992
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 125 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2021
15
2022
46
2023
26
2024
22
2025
17
2026
17
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
202115
202246
202326
202422
202517
202617

2021: 15; 2022: 46; 2023: 26; 2024: 22; 2025: 17; 2026: 17

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11390837 · 2021-01-31 (January 31, 2021)

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'RE NEW BRAKES AND CONTINUED ON AND DROVE HOME. THIS MORNING WE REMOTELY STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE MAZDA APP SENT US AN ALERT THAT THERE IS A CRITICAL VEHICLE MALFUNCTION HAVING TO DO WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. THE DEALERS ARE CLOSED, SO I DON'…

Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 11390837 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11430085 · 2021-08-23 (August 23, 2021)

We have a new 2021 CX5 and the two taillights (the ones that are on top of the backup lights) do not light up. The dealer, Napleton Mazda in Libertyville, IL, told us that that is normal and those lights are not meant to light up. The dealer said they have many customers bringing their car in for service for the same issue, but it is not something they can fix. At night the car is not as visible as it should be, especially if you are in a dark area and stopped without your foot on the brake. We had the police pull over my daughter in the c…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11430085 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11417525 · 2021-05-17 (May 17, 2021)

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 and is available for inspection. The sudden loss of all electrical systems has the potential for stranding the driver and passengers in dangerous locations. The problem has not yet been reproduced. The vehicle has been inspected by the service depa…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11417525 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11445262 · 2021-12-28 (December 28, 2021)

The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, the vehicle failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact restarted the vehicle and corrected the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer performed a Special Service Program (SSP) Recall #: SSPC7 (TCU Connect Concern CV/Battery) where the TCU software was updated; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no additional recall associate…

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11445262 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11439487 · 2021-11-05 (November 5, 2021)

The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX5. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was not operating properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer reprogrammed the Transmission Control Unit (TCU). However, the failure recurred. After taking the vehicle back from the dealer, the contact was driving at an undisclosed speed, when the windshield wiper inadvertently engaged, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the headlights inadvertently turned off and the steering wheel pulled the contact's arm down and the vehicle …

Owner-reported narrative. 1,629 miles reported. Look up ODI 11439487 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11475541 · 2022-07-24 (July 24, 2022)

While beginning to turn into an interstate exit lane, all dashboard lights lit up, the engine died, and the car stopped. Power brakes & steering were inactivated. My husband was able to coast the car to the shoulder. My Mazda app said nothing wrong with car. Waited 3 hours for tow as we were out of state. The Mazda dealership found the high pressure fuel pump to have a malfunction. Two different technicians at the dealership related that Mazda was aware of the issue & had not yet issued a recalled.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11475541 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11527084 · 2023-06-14 (June 14, 2023)

Vehicle drives very "rough" at low speeds less than 30 mph. The car feels like it is jumping and can't tell at what year it should be driving in. This is very noticeable when driving around residential areas. This is a common issue with the Mazdas with the Skyactive engines. Dealership in Raleigh knew about this problem and said that there is nothing they can do except possibly provide an update to the computer software. I have written to Mazda corporation regarding this and of course, no response was received. Mazda needs to acknowledge this p…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11527084 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11449830 · 2022-02-01 (February 1, 2022)

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 taking it to the dealer tomorrow. It appears to be the same problem as the 2018-2019 Recall.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11449830 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11510068 · 2023-03-03 (March 3, 2023)

Engine burns excess oil and must be topped off before service is due. The dealership acknowledges this is a problem on all 2021 Mazda turbo engines. Mazda has no fix. The first time occurred when I was driving in the country in July 2022 and the check oil light came on. Today, March 3, my check oil light lit up. I am not due for service for another 1800 miles. I have read it is a valve stem problem which causes oil to leak into the engine which can cause the car to stall among other issues such as unnecessary wear and tear. A class action …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11510068 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11435391 · 2021-10-04 (October 4, 2021)

The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX5. The contact stated that after the vehicle was serviced at the dealer under Manufacturer's recall number: SSPC7 for the TCU, the contact was driving at an undisclosed speed, when the "Keyless ignition malfunction" warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to his residence, but when he attempted to turn off the vehicle, the vehicle would not turn off. The contact had to disconnect the fuel pump fuse for the vehicle to turn off. The vehicle would also not turn on when the contact attempted to s…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11435391 at NHTSA ↗