2021 Mazda CX-5: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 77 of 143 complaints (53.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 21 | 14.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 4.9% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 4.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 2.8% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 2.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.4% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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: 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 46 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 17 |
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11387351 · 2021-01-09 (January 9, 2021)
RED SOUL ON THE CX5 HAVING EXCESSIVE PAINT CHIPPING. LESS THAN 5K MILES ON THE CAR AND HAVE ONLY HAD FOR 3 MONTHS AND THERE'S ALREADY 9 TO 10 CHIPS ON THE HOOD AND DRIVER DOOR.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11387351 at NHTSA ↗
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 11397842 · 2021-02-25 (February 25, 2021)
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 SCRATCHES ON THE HOOD. THERE IS NO REASON FOR ICE/SNOW TO CAUSE THIS MUCH DAMAGE. WE REVIEWED A NUMBER OF WEBSITES AND IT APPEARS THAT MAZDA IS AWARE OF THIS INFERIOR PAINT AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. BUT THEY DO CHARGE $595 MORE FO…
Owner-reported narrative. 12 miles reported. Look up ODI 11397842 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11399575 · 2021-03-07 (March 7, 2021)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11399575 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11404270 · 2021-03-22 (March 22, 2021)
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65MPH AND HEARD A LOUD POP. I WAS UNSURE WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN, BUT KNEW IT CAME FROM THE ROOF AREA. I OPENED THE SLIDER TO THE SUNROOF. THE GLASS HAD EXPLODED!! I PULLED OVER TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE AND NOTICED THE GLASS EXPLODED OUTWARD. I HAVE PICTURES SHOWING THE HOLE IN THE GLASS AS WELL AS THE SHARDS (HELD TOGETHER BY SAFETY COATING) POINTING UP AND AWAY FROM THE CAR FROM HAVING EXPLODED OUT.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404270 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 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 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 ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.