Mazda MAZDA5 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
412 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
47,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 to 2016 model years. Data snapshot: . 331 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 97 of 412 complaints (23.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 103 | 25.0% |
| Braking behavior | 51 | 12.4% |
| Engine operation | 22 | 5.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 17 | 4.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 1.7% |
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 | 97 |
| Tires | 47 |
| Suspension | 41 |
| Engine | 27 |
| Structure:Body | 25 |
| Electrical System | 23 |
| Air Bags | 22 |
| Service Brakes | 20 |
Steering: 97; Tires: 47; Suspension: 41; Engine: 27; Structure:Body: 25; Electrical System: 23; Air Bags: 22; Service Brakes: 20
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 104 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 72 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 59 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 30 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 52 |
| 150,000 and above | 14 |
Under 25,000: 104; 25,000 to 49,999: 72; 50,000 to 74,999: 59; 75,000 to 99,999: 30; 100,000 to 149,999: 52; 150,000 and above: 14
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (104). 81 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 |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 16 |
| 2009 | 27 |
| 2010 | 77 |
| 2011 | 24 |
| 2012 | 33 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2014 | 25 |
| 2015 | 25 |
| 2016 | 32 |
| 2017 | 31 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2019 | 19 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2005: 3; 2006: 5; 2007: 12; 2008: 16; 2009: 27; 2010: 77; 2011: 24; 2012: 33; 2013: 17; 2014: 25; 2015: 25; 2016: 32; 2017: 31; 2018: 20; 2019: 19; 2020: 5; 2021: 13; 2022: 11; 2023: 4; 2024: 5; 2025: 3; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 103 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 51 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 22 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 10172157 · 2006-10-30 (October 30, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH ON DRY ROAD CONDITIONS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THIS OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON 08/16/06, THE STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED. ON 10/21/06, WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10172157 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10264214 · 2009-04-06 (April 6, 2009)
I HAVE A 2006 MAZDA 5 THAT HAS AN ENGINEERING FAULT IN THE SUSPENSION/STEERING SYSTEM. THIS DEFECT LEADS TO INTENSE UNEVEN WEAR IN TIRES,WHICH LEADS TO A HAZARDOUS SITUATION ON THE ROAD. THE DEALERS MASK THE PROBLEMS BY OVERINFLATING THE TIRES (EVEN MORE DANGEROUS) AND MAZDA NORTH AMERICA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FROM UK CANADA AND USA THAT I'VE COMMUNICATED WITH AND THEY HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR MAZDA 5. THE ORIGINAL TOYO TIRES FAILED IN THE FIRST YEAR, A SECOND SET OF TIRES PROVIDED BY M…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10264214 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165608 · 2006-08-16 (August 16, 2006)
I AM THE OWNER OF A MAZDA5- MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I PARKED MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ENGAGED THE BRAKE. MY DAUGHTER RE-ENTERED THE CAR ABOUT 1 HOUR LATER, AS SHE GOT IN THE CAR AND SAT DOWN SHE FELT IT MOVE AND HOPPED OUT. THE CAR ROLLED DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY HIT A TREE WITH THE DOOR STILL OPEN AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER CAR. I AM NOT SURE IF THE BRAKE WAS COMPLETELY ENGAGED OR IT JUST FAILED. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE ACCIDENT. THE BRAKE IS ENGAGED IN THE PHOTO. THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE RIGHT SIDE AND DOOR WERE M…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10222200 · 2008-03-24 (March 24, 2008)
I WAS COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I TRIED AGAIN AND AGAIN AND FINALLY TROMPED ON THEM AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPOPED. I WAS HALF WAY INTO THE INTERSECTION AND NARROWLY MISSED THE CROSS TRAFFIC. I IMMEDIATELY WHEN TO THE MAZDA DEALER LESS THAN 1/2 MILE DOWN THE ROAD. WHEN THE CHECKED THE CAR THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES OR BRAKING SYSTEM. THEY INQUIRED ABOUT THE ROAD AND IT WAS DRY AND UNBROKEN PAVEMENT (NO POTHOLES). NO ICE OR WATER ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME. I WAS CONCERNED MO…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,275 miles reported. Look up ODI 10222200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10187858 · 2007-04-14 (April 14, 2007)
I BOUGHT THE MAZDA ITS NOT BEEN EVEN A YEAR YET AND HAD I'VE HAD IT IN THE SHOP 6 TIMES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN MY MAZDA 5 SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND OR 2ND TO 3RD IT SOMETIMES HESITATES AND HAD STALLED A HANDFUL OF TIMES MAZDA STILL HAS NOT FIX AND OR FOUND A SOLUTION FOR MY PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10187858 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10294003 · 2009-11-30 (November 30, 2009)
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. IT HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS UP TO SPEEDS NEAR 50MPH. EVERYTHING WOULD BE FINE, BUT THEN IT WAS LIKE THERE WAS A STUMBLE AND THE ENGINE WOULD SHIFT TO IDLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT CUT OUT, BUT WOULD ONLY IDLE. IF WE TURNED THE CAR OFF, WAITED A MINUTE, THEN RESTARTED THE CAR, IT WOULD DRIVE FINE (UNTIL THE PROBLEM REPEATED ITSELF AT ANOTHER RANDOM TIME). THE DEALER MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR. THEY FIRST CHANGED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO US WI…
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10294003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10156030 · 2006-04-25 (April 25, 2006)
PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 02/10/2006-VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 3K MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION CASING DID NOT SEAL CORRECTLY AND THAT IS THE REASON VEHICLE WAS LEAKING AND THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION ON VEHICLE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 2,982 miles reported. Look up ODI 10156030 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10303271 · 2010-01-29 (January 29, 2010)
1. PURCHASE VEHICLE USED IN 2009 WITH 170,000 KMS 2. SINCE DAY ONE, HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH DOOR LATCHES / LOCK AND UNLOCK - HAPPENS ON RANDOM OCCASSIONS AND ESPECIALLY IN COLD/ WET OR HUMID CONDITIONS. ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO LOCK / UNLOCK THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS USING THE KEYFOB OR THE INTERIOR VEHICLE SWITCHES, (I HAVE TO UNLOCK/LOCK THE REAR VEHICLE DOORS MANUALLY). 2. TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR FLEW OPEN (WHILE DRIVING) AS IT DID NOT LATCHED CLOSED. THE RIGHT SIDE REAR SLIDING DOOR STILL WILL…
Owner-reported narrative. 194,525 miles reported. Look up ODI 10303271 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10839435 · 2016-03-02 (March 2, 2016)
THE MAZDA PART USED IN 2006 IS EXACTLY THE SAME PART USED IN 2007-2009 WHICH HAVE A NHTSA RECALL, SO WHY ISN'T THE 2006 COVERED? IT'S THE SAME PART WITH THE SAME INHERENT DEFECT. OUR POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED WITH LESS THAN 75,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE FAULT CAUSES THE POWER STEERING LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE PUMP STOPS WORKING MAKING THE STEERING VERY HEAVY, IT CAN HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING, AT A LIGHT, OR STATIONARY. THE PUMP IS ELECTRICAL SO SOMETIMES TURNING OFF THE CAR AND TURNING IT BACK ON "RESETS" THE SYSTEM AND IT WILL WORK FOR A LIT…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10839435 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 ↗
Owner report 10354313 · 2010-09-08 (September 8, 2010)
2010 MAZDA 5. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE BELIEVES THE VEHICLE HER VEHICLE IS A LEMON *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, SHE HAD TO RETURN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE; A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR 21 DAYS. ON JUNE 14, 2010 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. THE CONSUMER PICKED THE VEHICLE UP ON APRIL 17, 2010. ON JULY 30, 2010 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE AGAIN SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. THE FUEL IS CURRENTLY ON BACKORDER. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10354313 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 0 |
2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 0; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 0