Mazda CX-5 Years to Avoid

Why 2014 and 2016 made the avoid list

2014 Mazda CX-5

AvoidTop issue: visibility · 33% of complaints · median 8,000 miles

Owners describe rear brakes that grind, seize or wear out early, and a car that won't fully power off in park, draining the battery. Many also report windshields cracking with little or no apparent cause, with dealers often denying coverage.

Full 2014 report ›

2016 Mazda CX-5

AvoidTop issue: lights · 36% of complaints · median 40,000 miles

Owners describe the electric parking brake sticking or dragging, overheating rear brakes, plus transmissions that hesitate to engage then lurch, often leading to full replacement. Many also report LED daytime running lights dimming or failing, which means replacing sealed headlight assemblies that owners say cost roughly $1,000 or more per side.

Full 2016 report ›

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints on NHTSA's site and checked against them; the counts and mileages come from our data.

Best Mazda CX-5 years to buy

2017 Mazda CX-5

Best betTop issue: brakes · 20% of complaints · median 7,000 miles

Owners filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 CX-5 in its first five years, about 48 for every 100,000 sold: 0.5× the rate of a typical CX-5 year. 20% of them involve the brakes, at a median of 7,000 miles.

Full 2017 report ›

2022 Mazda CX-5

Best betTop issue: lights · 37% of complaints

Owners filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 CX-5 in its first five years, about 40 for every 100,000 sold: 0.5× the rate of a typical CX-5 year. 37% of them involve the lights.

Full 2022 report ›

A best bet drew 0.6× the complaint rate of a typical CX-5 year or less in its first five years on the road. How we rate

1. Engine17% of complaints · 246 complaints · median 8,000–50,000 miles by year · worst years: 2013, 2018 and 2021
2. Brakes14% of complaints · 209 complaints · median 7,000–35,000 miles by year · worst years: 2013, 2016 and 2018
3. Electrical14% of complaints · 199 complaints · median 1,000–60,000 miles by year · worst years: 2013, 2014 and 2016
4. Visibility13% of complaints · 181 complaints · median 3,000–30,000 miles by year · worst years: 2014, 2015 and 2016
5. Lights12% of complaints · 179 complaints · median 40,000 miles · worst years: 2014, 2016 and 2022

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA in each model year's first five years on the road, all years combined. A complaint can name more than one area. Worst years are the rated years with the most complaints about that area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

Questions owners ask

Which Mazda CX-5 years should you avoid?

Counting complaints owners filed with NHTSA in each year's first five years on the road, per vehicle sold, the 2014 and 2016 CX-5 drew the most: each more than twice the rate of a typical CX-5 year, spread across more than one problem area. The 2013 and 2018 also ran above average; use caution with them.

What is the best year for a used Mazda CX-5?

The best bets are the 2017 and 2022 CX-5, which drew far fewer complaints per vehicle sold than a typical CX-5 year. The 2022 drew the fewest for its time on the road (0.5× the rate of a typical CX-5 year). Years from 2023 on haven't had five years on the road, so they aren't rated yet.

What is the most common problem with the Mazda CX-5?

Across every year, the problem area owners report most is the engine (17% of complaints), followed by the brakes (14%) and the electrical system (14%). A complaint can name more than one area.

Has the Mazda CX-5 been recalled?

Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns covering CX-5 model years 2013 to 2026, the most recent in November 2021. Enter a vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether its repairs were done.