2009 Mazda MAZDA5 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
64 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
42,305 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 49 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 64 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 19 | 29.7% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 9.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.6% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 16 |
| Suspension | 8 |
| Tires | 8 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Wheels | 5 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
Steering: 16; Suspension: 8; Tires: 8; Electrical System: 7; Wheels: 5; Engine: 3; Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 17 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 17; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 15 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2009: 2; 2010: 15; 2011: 10; 2012: 11; 2013: 3; 2014: 5; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 5; 2018: 1; 2019: 4; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 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 10265348 · 2009-04-14 (April 14, 2009)
THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO UNCONTROLLABLE AND WOBBLING SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING A FREEWAY AT 60MPH AND ENDED UP CAUSING THE CENTER DIVIDER CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ONE MONTH AGO AS BRAND NEW CAR. THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO HANDLE AND FINALLY CAUSED THIS MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE CAR IS WAITING FOR INSPECTION FROM INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10265348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10318049 · 2010-03-09 (March 9, 2010)
WHILE DRIVING 10 TO 20 MPH POWER STEERING FAILS FOLLOWED BY ALL ELECTRONICS FLASHING AND THEN BY CAR ENGINE DYING. CONTROL OF CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. POWER STEERING HAS FAILED ABOUT 20 TIMES ENGINE FAILURE ABOUT 10 TIMES. DEALER TOLD ME THEY FOUND HITS ON THE ONBOARD COMPUTER, WERE ABLE TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM AND EVENTUALLY TRACKED IT DOWN TO THE POWER STEERING. BUT HAVE FAILED TO FIND A PROBLEM. THEY NOW DENY ALL OF THIS. I QUESTION IF THE CAR IS SAFE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10318049 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10264756 · 2009-04-08 (April 8, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA 5. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A HILL WITH THE EMERGENCY SERVICE BRAKE ENGAGED. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THE VEHICLE ROLLING AFTER IT HAD BEEN STATIONARY FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A MAILBOX. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED A SCRATCH ON THE FRONT BUMPER. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A RESIDENCE'S STORAGE SHED. THE POLICE WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES TO THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S S…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10264756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10307907 · 2010-02-09 (February 9, 2010)
DRIVERS SIDE FLOORMAT RETENTION HOLE SEPARATES AFTER < 5000 MILES ALLOWING MAT TO MOVE FORWARD SO THAT CLUTCH PEDAL CATCHES ON MAT. WHEN CLUTCH PEDAL RELEASED IT PICKS UP THE MAT SO THAT NEXT TIME THE CLUTCH IS PEDAL IS PRESSED THE MAT ALSO CATCHES ON THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSING UNEXPECTED BRAKING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10307907 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10361508 · 2010-10-21 (October 21, 2010)
FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR FRONT LOCATED AT THE FAN CONTROLLER UNIT. ELECTRICAL HIGH-RESISTANCE CONNECTION DUE TO IMPROPER LENGTH OF WIRE IN HARNESS CAUSING LOOSE CONNECTION IN CONTROLLER UNIT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10361508 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10508281 · 2013-04-15 (April 15, 2013)
IN THIS CASE I LEFT MY LIGHTS ON CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR IS WHEN THERE IS NO POWER IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE REAR SLIDING DOORS OR TAILGATE. ONLY THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPENS WITH A KEY AND YOU CANNOT OPEN THE REAR DOORS FROM THE INSIDE WITHOUT POWER. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THAT DISABLES THE POWER SYSTEM THESE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED AND PASSENGERS (ESPECIALLY CHILDREN WHO ARE IN SAFETY SEATS) CAN BE TRAPPED. THERE ARE 3 ROWS OF 2 BUCKET SEATS PER ROW. I FEEL THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP AND WOULD SERIOUSLY REC…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10508281 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11121085 · 2018-08-20 (August 20, 2018)
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR (APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR) THERE IS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, INCLUDING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. WE REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND HAD BATTERY CHECKED, WHICH WAS WORKING FINE WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH. PROBLEM IS RECURRING. CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11121085 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11288857 · 2019-12-13 (December 13, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA 5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREET AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT THE VEHICLE WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 163,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11288857 at NHTSA ↗