2015 Mazda CX-5 Problems & Owner Complaints
Age-normalised, this year draws ~11.1 complaints per year on the road — ranking 12 of 12 Mazda CX-5 years we track (1 = most complaints per year).
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What owners report
Structure is the most-reported problem area on the 2015 Mazda CX-5, cited in 27 of 133 filed complaints (20%).
Power Train is next (19 complaints, 14%), followed by Engine (14), Service Brakes (14), Vehicle Speed Control (12).
Across all complaints, 11 report a crash, 7 report injuries.
The most safety-critical cluster is Unknown Or Other: 2 crash, 3 injury report(s).
Complaints by vehicle system
Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2015 Mazda CX-5, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 133.
Structure 27 1 crash 2 injury
“The contact called on behalf of his daughter who owns a 2015 Mazda CX5. The contact stated that while his daughter was loading groceries in the trunk, the liftgate dropped unexpectedly and the corner of the liftgate hit her in the head, causing a laceration. The contact's daughter was taken to urgent care where she was informed that she had sustained a laceration and three staples were put on the laceration. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA…”
NHTSA complaint #11496770, 2022 · 1 injury(ies)
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE INDEPENDENTLY FELL AND STRUCK THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER IN THE HEAD. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V644000 (STRUCTURE). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION…”
NHTSA complaint #10981706, 2016 · 1 injury(ies)
“WAS TURNING RIGHT ONTO SIDE CITY STREET TO PARK, WAS GOING MAYBE 2 MILES AN HOUR BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO PARK. THE CAR ENGINE SELF ACCELERATED AND I COULD NOT CONTROL IT, HIT A CHAIN LINK FENCE AND SHEARED OFF A NATURAL GAS METER TO A HOME. THE BREAK PEDAL DID NOT STOP THE CAR, I WAS IN DRIVE PUT INTO PARK AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF”
NHTSA complaint #11361681, 2020 · crash
Power Train 19 1 crash
“I WAS PARKING MY MAZDA CX5 IN A SPOT AT A SHOPPING CENTER AND WHEN I TOUCHED THE BRAKE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT AND WENT TO SHIFT CAR INTO PARK, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FULL SPEED, MAKING A VROOM SOUND, JUMPING THE CURB AND SMASHING INTO A BRICK POST (LUCKILY I HIT THE POST AND NOT A PERSON!). I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A TRANSMISSION, BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR ISSUE - BUT THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG. I DID NOT HIT THE ACCELERATOR INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT MUST BE ME, SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY, HITTING THE ACCELERATER BUT I NEVER REALLY BELIEVED THIS. TODAY, APRIL 26, 2019, THE SAME THING…”
NHTSA complaint #11203922, 2018 · crash
“The contact owns a 2015 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while pressing the brake pedal the engine had experienced very high revving and the vehicle would lurch forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who performed a PCM and TCM program update and reset the KAM per the manufacturers TSB. The contact indicated that the failure was corrected for a while but recently the failure had reoccurred. The local dealer was contacted and a service appointment was scheduled. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 25…”
NHTSA complaint #11572876, 2023
“2015 Mazda CX-5 with 91,000 miles on it. Automatic transmission has failed. When I attempted to pull out into traffic the vehicle would not shift into 2nd gear and instead jerked hard and the engine RPMs revved up. I was not able to get the vehicle past 10mph. This failure with the transmission resulted in the oncoming traffic having to swerve and break to avoid a collision with me. The vehicle was taken to a Mazda dealership who did a diagnostic on it and found that the Mazda had an "internal transmission failure" and would require a full replacement. I asked if it would be replaced wi…”
NHTSA complaint #11483555, 2022
Unknown Or Other 16 2 crash 3 injury
“I was on my way home going down a windy back road going about 45 mph. there was a jeep in front of me and the mail truck was in front of them. the mail truck went to slow down and take a right onto a different road and as the jeep slowed down i applied my breaks and there was no response. this was not the first time this had happened in this vehicle but this time i panicked and i had to cut my wheel into the persons front yard to the right of us as i was continuously picking my foot up and slamming it down on the break and there was no response my car was just speeding up. i ended up going int…”
NHTSA complaint #11521446, 2022 · crash · 2 injury(ies)
“While driving on the interstate, the passenger side front door glass shattered unexpectedly causing an eye injury. There was no noise of a rock hitting the glass or anything. Previous to the incident, the glass had no cracks or chips in it.”
NHTSA complaint #11542220, 2023 · 1 injury(ies)
“I was near a red light and applied the brakes, but the car accelerated and ran into the truck stopped in front of me. This happened around May of 2024. I took the car to the Elk Grove Mazda dealer. They ran diagnostic and road tests but found nothing wrong. The car had the same problem again sometime later inside my garage. The car rammed into the drywall while I tried to stop by pressing the brake pedal. I took the car to the AAA repair shop in August 2024. They spent three days, and they told me they found a problem with the "steering angle sensor." It was 22 degrees off calibration. They re…”
NHTSA complaint #11674250, 2024 · crash
Engine 14 3 crash
“WAS TURNING RIGHT ONTO SIDE CITY STREET TO PARK, WAS GOING MAYBE 2 MILES AN HOUR BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO PARK. THE CAR ENGINE SELF ACCELERATED AND I COULD NOT CONTROL IT, HIT A CHAIN LINK FENCE AND SHEARED OFF A NATURAL GAS METER TO A HOME. THE BREAK PEDAL DID NOT STOP THE CAR, I WAS IN DRIVE PUT INTO PARK AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF”
NHTSA complaint #11361681, 2020 · crash
“I WAS TRYING TO PARK MY VEHICLE IN A SOCCER FIELD PARKING LOT. AS I SLOWLY TURNING RIGHT INTO MY SPOT AT ABOUT 3-5MPH, MY FOOT WAS LIGHTLY DEPRESSED ON BRAKE PEDAL AND ABOUT TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY MADE A VERY LOUD ENGINE SOUND (MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL) AS THE ENGINE REV UP FOR ABOUT A SECOND OR TWO THEN ACCELERATED FORWARD JUMPING THE CURB AND HIT A BIG FENCE POLE WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT SPED UP FROM 3MPH TO 30MPH AND I HAD NO TIME TO REACT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BADLY DESTROYED AND THE VEHICLE I…”
NHTSA complaint #11210299, 2019 · crash
“I WAS PARKING MY MAZDA CX5 IN A SPOT AT A SHOPPING CENTER AND WHEN I TOUCHED THE BRAKE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT AND WENT TO SHIFT CAR INTO PARK, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FULL SPEED, MAKING A VROOM SOUND, JUMPING THE CURB AND SMASHING INTO A BRICK POST (LUCKILY I HIT THE POST AND NOT A PERSON!). I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A TRANSMISSION, BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR ISSUE - BUT THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG. I DID NOT HIT THE ACCELERATOR INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT MUST BE ME, SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY, HITTING THE ACCELERATER BUT I NEVER REALLY BELIEVED THIS. TODAY, APRIL 26, 2019, THE SAME THING…”
NHTSA complaint #11203922, 2018 · crash
Service Brakes 14 5 crash 2 injury
“I was on my way home going down a windy back road going about 45 mph. there was a jeep in front of me and the mail truck was in front of them. the mail truck went to slow down and take a right onto a different road and as the jeep slowed down i applied my breaks and there was no response. this was not the first time this had happened in this vehicle but this time i panicked and i had to cut my wheel into the persons front yard to the right of us as i was continuously picking my foot up and slamming it down on the break and there was no response my car was just speeding up. i ended up going int…”
NHTSA complaint #11521446, 2022 · crash · 2 injury(ies)
“I was near a red light and applied the brakes, but the car accelerated and ran into the truck stopped in front of me. This happened around May of 2024. I took the car to the Elk Grove Mazda dealer. They ran diagnostic and road tests but found nothing wrong. The car had the same problem again sometime later inside my garage. The car rammed into the drywall while I tried to stop by pressing the brake pedal. I took the car to the AAA repair shop in August 2024. They spent three days, and they told me they found a problem with the "steering angle sensor." It was 22 degrees off calibration. They re…”
NHTSA complaint #11674250, 2024 · crash
“I WAS TRYING TO PARK MY VEHICLE IN A SOCCER FIELD PARKING LOT. AS I SLOWLY TURNING RIGHT INTO MY SPOT AT ABOUT 3-5MPH, MY FOOT WAS LIGHTLY DEPRESSED ON BRAKE PEDAL AND ABOUT TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY MADE A VERY LOUD ENGINE SOUND (MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL) AS THE ENGINE REV UP FOR ABOUT A SECOND OR TWO THEN ACCELERATED FORWARD JUMPING THE CURB AND HIT A BIG FENCE POLE WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT SPED UP FROM 3MPH TO 30MPH AND I HAD NO TIME TO REACT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BADLY DESTROYED AND THE VEHICLE I…”
NHTSA complaint #11210299, 2019 · crash
Vehicle Speed Control 12 1 crash
“MY FOOT WAS SOLELY ON THE BRAKE AS MY CAR WAS COMING TO A STOP IN A PARKING SPACE. THEN SUDDENLY WITH NO REASON, THE CAR ACCELERATED, JUMPING THE CEMENT TIRE STOPPER, HIT AGAINST THE CONCRETE PARKING COLUMN, WENT DOWN A SLIGHT HILL AND HIT ANOTHER CONCRETE PARKING COLUMN BEFORE STOPPING. THE WHOLE RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE) WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED. FORTUNATELY I ONLY HAD BRUISES AND NO OTHER CARS WERE DAMAGED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.”
NHTSA complaint #11072788, 2018 · crash
“2015 Mazda CX-5 with 91,000 miles on it. Automatic transmission has failed. When I attempted to pull out into traffic the vehicle would not shift into 2nd gear and instead jerked hard and the engine RPMs revved up. I was not able to get the vehicle past 10mph. This failure with the transmission resulted in the oncoming traffic having to swerve and break to avoid a collision with me. The vehicle was taken to a Mazda dealership who did a diagnostic on it and found that the Mazda had an "internal transmission failure" and would require a full replacement. I asked if it would be replaced wi…”
NHTSA complaint #11483555, 2022
“DRIVING NORMALLY, SUDDENLY AT AN ON-RAMP, CAR WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. I HIT THE GAS A COUPLE TIMES AND ENGINE JUST REVVED, AND THE CAR WAS JERKY AS IF STRUGGLING TO CHANGE GEAR. ANYTHING OVER 3,000 RPM IT WOULD NOT DRIVE. I ALSO NOTICED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH RADIO AND LIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO PULL OVER. TURNED OFF CAR AND RE-STARTED. TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AROUND THE AREA AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN AT OVER 3,000 RPM. LUCKILY THIS DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.”
NHTSA complaint #11217081, 2019
Visibility/Wiper 10
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I HEARD A LOUD SOUND ABOVE ME, FOLLOWED BY SUDDENLY FEELING WIND COMING INTO THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS HEARING GLASS ROLL OFF THE TOP OF THE CAR. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER I SAW THAT THERE WAS A HUGE HOLE IN THE SUNROOF BUT NO OTHER DAMAGE. THERE WERE NO DENTS OR SCRATCHES ANYWHERE ON THE TOP OF THE CAR WHERE I HEARD THE SOUND COME FROM. THE REMAINING GLASS WAS ANGLED UPWARDS AS IF THE GLASS HAD EXPLODED. LUCKILY I HAD THE SLIDER UNDER THE GLASS CLOSED SO NO GLASS MADE IT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AS I WAS DRIVING. HAD IT NOT BEEN CLOSED IT COULD HAVE POTENTIA…”
NHTSA complaint #11300200, 2020
“HAD AN INCIDENT WERE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW JUST CRACKED INTO PIECES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. NOBODY WAS INJURED BUT WE WERE NOT SURE WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS (THERE WERE NO CARS ADJACENT TO US AND IN THE LANES FURTHER).”
NHTSA complaint #11268122, 2019
“WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK WHILE SITTING IN GARAGE. CRACK SPREAD QUICKLY FROM TOP CENTER OF WINDSHIELD AND CRACK HOOKED BACK UP TOWARDS TOP APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES LONG. WINDSHIELD WAS FINE THE DAY BEFORE . NO ROCKS OF ITEMS HIT WINDSHIELD.”
NHTSA complaint #11020691, 2017
Electrical System 8
“With a heavy downpour of rain the bsm flashes off, then after sitting for a few hours the car battery dies and the key fob is not recognized in the vehicle. Took it to a dealership and it stopped doing it. Code that are thrown have to do with some computer communication failing. I have had the car die on me 4 times in the last year that I’ve had it.”
NHTSA complaint #11686403, 2024
“The contact owns a 2015 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the horn malfunctioned and there was no sound when the horn pad was pressed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 148,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11497526, 2022
“3 WEEKS AGO, THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BOTTOM QUIT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME THE SEAT BACK IS RUNNING SUPER HOT (AS I CHOOSE THE LOWEST LEVEL SELECTION BUTTON). IT'S SO HOT, IT FEELS LIKE IT'S 'BURNING'. SO I TURN IT OFF. EVEN AFTER 10 MINUTES OF TURNING THIS OFF, IT IS STILL RUNNING HOT TO WARM. IT DOES NOT TURN OFF OR COOL DOWN IMMEDIATELY LIKE IT USED TO. THIS IS WHY I BELIEVE THAT IT'S POSSIBLY A SAFETY ELECTRICAL ISSUE. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT OR WHICH COMPONENT PART(S) THAT ARE TRULY IMPACTED BUT CLEARLY IT'S AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11328371, 2020
Visibility 7
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED. DURING THE FAILURE, THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AND A LOUD EXPLOSION HAD OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (ELDORADO MAZDA LOCATED AT 2150 N. CENTRAL EXPRESS WAY MCKINNEY TX) BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. INVALID VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #11351866, 2020
“CRACKED WINDSHIELD WE WERE FILLING UP GAS AT A GAS STATION & SUDDENLY WE HEARD A POP SOUND. I TRIED TO GO AROUND THE CAR & SEE WHAT HAPPENED BUT DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING. THE CAR WAS STILL PUMPING GAS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. NEXT DAY, THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE MORNING BUT AFTER PARKING AT WORK FOR COUPLE HOURS & COMING BACK TO THE CAR, WE NOTICED A BIG CRACK ON THE SCREEN. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10702550, 2015
“I WAS DRIVING MY NEW 2015 CX 5 GRAND TOURING TODAY WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP. I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW A 24 INCH CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD EXTENDING FROM THE LOWER DRIVERS SIDE TO THE MIDDLE. THERE IS NO SIGN OF A CHIP AND THE WINDSHIELD APPEARED TO BE IN PERFECT CONDITION. AFTER LOOKING AT THIS SITE, I NOTICED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT BECAUSE IT IS CONSIDERED WEAR AND TEAR, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT THIS. AS COMMON AS THIS SEEMS TO BE WITH THIS VEHICLE I WOULD HAVE HOPED FOR SOME ASSISTANCE FROM MAZDA IN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10677042, 2015
Air Bags 5 3 crash
“Was involved in accident on 8/12/23 with speed over 30mph at impact and not a single airbag deployed”
NHTSA complaint #11570804, 2023 · crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 MAZDA CX5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT STAND STILL AT A STOP SIGN, WHEN SHE STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE IMPACTED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED NO ONE INJURED OR IN NEED TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND CONSIDERED TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILUR…”
NHTSA complaint #11306994, 2020 · crash
“I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. I WAS HIT IN THE RIGHT SIDE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THAT THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT HITTING THE CENTRAL METAL BARRIER OF THE ROAD IN THE FRONT LEFT SIDE. THE VEHICLE MADE A 360 DEGREES TURN AND HIT THE BARRIER AGAIN, THIS TIME WITH THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE. FINALLY, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP IN THE CENTER LANE (THIS IS A THREE LANE HIGHWAY). ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY THIS VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. NOW COMES THE WORST PART. OF THE FOUR AIRBAGS, TWO IN THE FRONT, TWO SIDE CURTAINS, ONLY THE RIGHT CURTAIN ACTIVATED. THE THREE…”
NHTSA complaint #10873264, 2016 · crash
Fuel/Propulsion System 5 1 crash
“I was near a red light and applied the brakes, but the car accelerated and ran into the truck stopped in front of me. This happened around May of 2024. I took the car to the Elk Grove Mazda dealer. They ran diagnostic and road tests but found nothing wrong. The car had the same problem again sometime later inside my garage. The car rammed into the drywall while I tried to stop by pressing the brake pedal. I took the car to the AAA repair shop in August 2024. They spent three days, and they told me they found a problem with the "steering angle sensor." It was 22 degrees off calibration. They re…”
NHTSA complaint #11674250, 2024 · crash
“While driving on the freeway the check engine light came on. I was able to drive the car home the remaining 20 minutes but there was some noticeable difficulty accelerating. When I went to turn on the car later that day the engine would not turn over and there was an audible rattling/chugging sound and the car itself shook. I was unable to get the car to start and the check engine light remained on. I had AAA check the battery the next day and confirm it was not a battery issue and a diagnostic revealed the P0192 code. AAA towed it to their shop where it was confirmed by the manager mechanic t…”
NHTSA complaint #11605868, 2024
“Occasionally have sudden unintended acceleration. Went to dealer, no codes shown. Replaced battery and did throttle service. Happens 1 or 2 times a month generally within first 5 minutes of trip when attempting to stop. While braking , rpm's go to 3k and brakes barely hold car stopped, so I throw it in neutral to stop...rpms eventually go down to normal. It's obviously a very dangerous situation. Im going to make another appt with dealer again but not optimistic because no codes show and they will keep the car until it happens but that could take forever. Went to other mechanics for fresh e…”
NHTSA complaint #11539137, 2023
Seats 5
“The contact’s daughter owns a 2015 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the front driver’s side seat was previously moved in a forward position; however, when her son attempted to move the seat backward to drive the vehicle, the seat remained seized in the forward position. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #11510429, 2021
“I'M NOW DRIVING A 2015 MAZDA CX-5 TOURING AND I FIND THE HEAD RESTRAINT IN MY MAZDA IS ANGLED TOO FAR FORWARD AND IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE, CAUSING NECK STRAIN AND PAIN. I LIKE TO SIT UPRIGHT IN MY CAR AND WHEN SEATED LIKE THIS THE HEAD RESTRAINT FORCES ME TO ANGLE MY HEAD DOWN SO I AM LOOKING AT THE DASH, NOT OUT THE WINDSHIELD. I FIND THAT RECLINING THE SEAT IS THE ONLY SOLUTION BUT IT PUTS ME IN A POSITION THAT IS LESS RESPONSIVE AND MORE SLEEP-INDUCING. IRONICALLY, THE NHTSA MADATE THAT TOOK EFFECT IN 2008 ACTUALLY MAKES MY MAZDA LESS SAFE BECAUSE IT FORCES ME TO CHOOSE BETWEEN NECK STRAIN OR…”
NHTSA complaint #10891839, 2016
“SEVERAL TIMES NOW, AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF, EXITING AND UPON RE-ENTRY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, I HAVE FOUND THE DRIVERS SEAT COMPLETELY RECLINED ALL THE WAY BACK. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW WITH 6 MILES ON IT IN ILLINOIS MAY OF 2014, AND THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN WE HAD LESS THAN 600 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THEY "COULD NOT REPLICATE IT". THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES, THEN NOTHING. I DROVE THE CAR TO FLORIDA, AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE WHEN I CAME OUT TO THE CAR THE NEXT MORNING AND THE SEAT WAS RECLINED ALL THE WAY BA…”
NHTSA complaint #10767542, 2015
Suspension 5 1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA CX-5. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STEERED LEFT AND THE CONTACT CROSSED THE MEDIAN, SIDESWIPING ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (COLONIAL MAZDA, 100 FEDERAL ROAD, DANBURY, CT 06810) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH TIE RODS FRACTURED AND THE STEERING RACK FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11054188, 2017 · crash
“Right swing arm/ball joint broke off doing a u turn. Vehicle has been maintained and garage kept.”
NHTSA complaint #11546690, 2023
“Rear Shock broke away from vehicle chassis. SAFETY Issue Mazda Technical Service Bulletin 02-016/18 " ....breakage can occur. ......the material and the shape of the bracket has been modified" THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART $675 to replace two DEFECTIVE shocks”
NHTSA complaint #11472849, 2022
Wheels 5
“Right swing arm/ball joint broke off doing a u turn. Vehicle has been maintained and garage kept.”
NHTSA complaint #11546690, 2023
“The contact owns a 2015 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated the tires deflating abnormally. The contact stated that the tires needed to be inflated on a weekly basis. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rims were improperly fitted to suit multiple tires, causing the tires to deflate. The vehicle had not been repaired. The tires had been replaced by several other brand tires however, the failure persisted. The dealer confirmed that the failure was not a tire failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure…”
NHTSA complaint #11545786, 2019
“MY CAR HAS HYDROPLANED TWICE IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME, I WAS COMING AROUND A CURVE IN LIGHT RAIN AND THE BACK TIRES SLIPPED. I FELT AS IF THEY COMPLETELY LOST TRACTION. I WAS ABLE TO CORRECT AND KEEP FROM CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I VISUALLY INSPECTED MY TIRES AND THEY STILL LOOKED BRAND NEW. THIS OCCURRED AT ABOUT 22,000 MILES. MY SPEED WAS ABOUT 15 MILES AN HOUR.I THEN HAD A SECOND INCIDENT AT ABOUT 26,000 MILES. THIS WAS EXPERIENCED IN HEAVY RAIN ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR. MY CAR AGAIN LOST TRACTION AND WENT COMPLETELY INTO THE LANE NEXT TO ME. IT WAS AS IF IT LI…”
NHTSA complaint #11089788, 2018
Exterior Lighting 3
“DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS NO LONGER OPERATING. CHANGED THE FUSE, WHICH WAS STILL IN GOOD CONDITION, AND THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS STILL DON'T WORK. MAY BE SAME ISSUE AS THE CX5 2016 PROBLEM?”
NHTSA complaint #11362242, 2020
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA CX-5. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AT NIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WHITTEN BROTHERS MAZDA (10745 MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE, RICHMOND, VA 23235, (804) 378-8200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11110628, 2018
“I PURCHASED A NEW 2015 MAZDA CX5 IN MAY OF 2015 WITH THE TOUR TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE. THEREFORE, I HAVE THE BI-XENON, HID, HEADLAMPS. I DO LIKE THE CURVE ADAPTIVE FEATURE THAT MOVES THE ENTIRE LIGHT SYSTEM LEFT AND RIGHT BY15 DEGREES. I DRIVE MOSTLY IN WELL LIT CITY AREAS, BUT WHEN MY BROTHER WAS HERE LAST NOVEMBER AND NOTICED IN RURAL AREAS HOW EASY IT WAS TO 'OVERDRIVE' BOTH LOW AND HIGH BEAM SETTINGS. I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT THE REGULAR H1 HIGH BEAMS ON MY 2007 MAZDA6 ARE FAR BETTER THAN THESE 2015 HID LIGHTS. THEY HAVE A SHARP CUT OFF ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WHEN ON LOW BEAM SO THEY D…”
NHTSA complaint #10892943, 2015
Fuel System 2
“The contact owned a 2015 Mazda CX-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V064000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 16V644000 (Structure) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list as she no longer owns the vehicle. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #11533463, 2023
“The contact owns a 2015 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that fuel was leaking from the vehicle causing the vehicle to need refueling more often. The contact stated the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V064000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) which required that the fuel pump or tank to be replaced. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who informed her that the repair only required a sealant and cover that had since corroded. The certified mechanic replaced the electric i…”
NHTSA complaint #11512131, 2022
Lane Departure 2
“With a heavy downpour of rain the bsm flashes off, then after sitting for a few hours the car battery dies and the key fob is not recognized in the vehicle. Took it to a dealership and it stopped doing it. Code that are thrown have to do with some computer communication failing. I have had the car die on me 4 times in the last year that I’ve had it.”
NHTSA complaint #11686403, 2024
“My vehicle detects other vehicles and/or objects on the left side periodically when there is nothing there.”
NHTSA complaint #11434724, 2021
Steering 2 1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA CX-5. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STEERED LEFT AND THE CONTACT CROSSED THE MEDIAN, SIDESWIPING ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (COLONIAL MAZDA, 100 FEDERAL ROAD, DANBURY, CT 06810) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH TIE RODS FRACTURED AND THE STEERING RACK FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11054188, 2017 · crash
“THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF THE SAME ISSUE, BUT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ALL DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED (CHECK ENGINE, TURN SIGNALS, TEMP WARNINGS, ETC) SIMULTANEOUSLY AND THE INFORMATION SCREEN DISPLAYED AN ALERT "ENGINE INSPECTION REQUIRED". THE INCIDENT ALSO RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING/HEAVIER-THAN-NORMAL STEERING EFFORT AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATIONS, ON THE FIRST INSTANCE (JULY 10, 2014), MAZDA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WITH NO FAULT/CAUSE FOUND. ON THE SECOND INSTANCE (JULY 15, 2014), THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN DIR…”
NHTSA complaint #10610639, 2014
Tires 2
“ON OCTOBER 6, 2015, I WAS TRAVELING ON I-70 IN SOUTHERN UTAH WHEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE WAS A YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER G91, DOT FDF5 PC50814, SIZE P225/65R17/60H. THIS TIRE WAS ON MY 2015 MAZDA CX5 WHEN I PURCHASED IT IN LATE AUGUST 2014. IT HAD 10559 MILES ON IT. ROAD CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE BLOW OUT WERE EXCELLENT AND THE ROAD WAS VERY SMOOTH AS IT HAD BEEN RECENTLY PAVED. THE TIRE WAS IN 3 PIECES, THE TWO SIDE WALLS AND THE BOTTOM TREAD. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PUNCTURE. THE GENTLEMAN WHO ASSISTED IN CHANGING THE TIRE SAID HE WAS FREQUENTLY CALLED TO THAT AREA…”
NHTSA complaint #10794398, 2015
“CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR G91A, P225 65/R17, D.O.T. FDF5-PC51414 OEM TIRE: ON JULY 6, 2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 12:30PM EST, MY DAUGHTER WHILE DRIVING OUR 2015 MAZDA CX-5, EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE. THE MAZDA CX-5 IS EQUIPPED WITH OEM YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR G91A, P225 65/R17, D.O.T. FDF5-PC51414. SHE WAS DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED (55 MPH) EASTBOUND ON ROUTE 66, NEAR EXIT 53, AND DESCRIBES HEARING THUMPING NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND WHILE SHE WAS MAKING AN EMERGENCY EXIT FROM THE ROADWAY TO THE SHOULDER, SHE HEARD A LOUD…”
NHTSA complaint #10732547, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1
“OUR VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE "SMART CITY BRAKING" FEATURE THAT AUTOMATICALLY PREVENTS COLLISIONS AT LOW SPEED. THIS SYSTEM TRIGGERS THE BRAKES AND BRINGS THE VEHICLE TO A STOP WHEN AN OBJECT IS DETECTED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS SYSTEM HAS BEEN TRIGGERED BY STEAM CLOUDS COMING OUT OF SEWER GRATES AND HAS BROUGHT THE CAR TO A COMPLETE AND VERY UNEXPECTED STOP SEVERAL TIMES. NO REAL "OBJECT" WAS BEHIND THE STEAM CLOUD / YET BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE SYSTEM IS IMPLEMENTED IT DETECTED AN OBJECT AND ACTIVATED THE BRAKES. THIS UNEXPECTED BRAKING CAN QUICKLY BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STO…”
NHTSA complaint #10654312, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling 1
“I PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE PARKED THERE FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS- THE VEHICLE IS BRAND NEW WITH 725 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN ON CITY STREETS ONLY SINCE I'VE HAD IT. I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, DROVE 1 BLOCK IN NO TRAFFIC, AND WHEN PARKED AT THE STOPLIGHT, NOTICED A BIT OF SMOKE/STEAM COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. NOT A LOT AND THE CAR WASN'T OVERHEATING. SINCE THE CAR WAS SO NEW, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK OF IT BUT THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS A FLUKE. DROVE IT FOR 2 MORE ERRAND STOPS ON 30MPH STREETS AND THEN HOME. THE NEXT DAY I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND NOTI…”
NHTSA complaint #10667571, 2014
Equipment 1
“2015 MAZDA CX-5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE AIR CONDENSER HAD BEEN HIT BY A STONE, CAUSED A HOLE TO FORM WHICH RESULTED IN FREON LEAKING OUT. *JB”
NHTSA complaint #10726045, 2015
Seat Belts 1 1 crash 2 injury
“DURING HARD BREAKING (ABS ENGAGED) AT 30 MPH CITY TRAFFIC, FOLLOWED BY A FRONT END CRASH, BOTH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FOR THE TWO FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS FAILED, FAILING TO KEEP THE PASSENGERS SECURED IN THEIR SEATS THE BELTS NEVER LOCKED AND COMPLETELY DESPOOLED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO USE THE STEERING WHEEL TO REMAIN SEATED, HOWEVER THE PASSENGER'S HEAD IMPACTED AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. THE PASSENGER ALSO HAD BAD BRUISING FROM THE FINAL RESTRAINT OF THE BELTS AFTER IT DESPOOLED AND STOPPED.”
NHTSA complaint #11015170, 2017 · crash · 2 injury(ies)
How we read this (methodology)
How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2015 Mazda CX-5 draws about 11.1 complaints per year on the road, ranking 12 of 12 among the Mazda CX-5 model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).
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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.