Mazda CX-5: which year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year
Of 15 model years of the Mazda CX-5 on record, 2023 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (42, most often about exterior lighting). 2016 has the most recall campaigns (5). 2016 has the most complaints mentioning a crash, a fire or an injury (8).
How to read this
Each row counts what official sources have on record for that model year: recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many of those complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability. Fewer complaints can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, so open the year before you decide. 🇺🇸 Local data
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury | Most reported | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 15 | 1 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 26 MPG |
| 2025 | 0 | 28 | 7 | SERVICE BRAKES | 25 MPG |
| 2024 | 0 | 40 | 5 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 28 MPG |
| 2023 | 0 | 42 | 4 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 26 MPG |
| 2022 | 0 | 40 | 1 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 26 MPG |
| 2021 | 0 | 40 | 3 | ENGINE | 26 MPG |
| 2020 | 0 | 40 | 2 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 26 MPG |
| 2019 | 2 | 40 | 0 | ENGINE | 28 MPG |
| 2018 | 3 | 40 | 2 | ENGINE | 28 MPG |
| 2017 | 1 | 40 | 0 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 26 MPG |
| 2016 | 5 | 40 | 8 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 26 MPG |
| 2015 | 4 | 40 | 7 | POWER TRAIN | 27 MPG |
| 2014 | 4 | 40 | 1 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 27 MPG |
| 2013 | 1 | 40 | 1 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 27 MPG |
| 2012 | 0 | 1 | 0 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | — |
Recalls: NHTSA campaigns only, so a defect also recalled in Canada is not counted twice. Stars: NHTSA overall rating. Fuel economy: EPA.
All years of the Mazda CX-5Questions
- Which Mazda CX-5 year has the most complaints?
- Of 15 model years of the Mazda CX-5 on record, 2023 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (42, most often about exterior lighting).
- Which Mazda CX-5 year has the most recalls?
- 2016 has the most recall campaigns (5).
- How is this comparison made?
- We count, for each model year, the recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability: raw counts also depend on how many cars were sold and how old they are.