UsedScore

2015 Mazda CX-5: Solid

Owners filed 93 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Mazda CX-5 in its first five years on the road, about 86 for every 100,000 sold: 1.0× the rate of a typical CX-5 year. That's close to a typical year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the body and structure (26% of complaints, median 31,000 miles).

Complaint index
1.0×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical CX-5 year
Rank
4th of 9
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
93
first five years; 86 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
3
campaigns
1st generation, 2013–2016 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2013 Mazda CX-5

Photo: 2013 Mazda CX-5 · IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Body and structure26% · 24 complaints · median 31,000 miles
  2. Brakes11% · 10 complaints · median 24,000 miles
  3. Engine11% · 10 complaints · median 45,000 miles
  4. Speed control12% · 11 complaints · median 28,000 miles
  5. Powertrain9% · 8 complaints · median 24,000 miles
  6. Visibility14% · 13 complaints · median 3,000 miles
  7. Seats and belts5% · 5 complaints · median 1,000 miles
  8. Electrical5% · 5 complaints · median 14,000 miles
  9. Suspension3% · 3 complaints
  10. Air bags2% · 2 complaints

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Body and structure

Owners of this CX-5 most often report the rear liftgate support struts failing, letting the liftgate drop or slam, sometimes striking someone; many say the recall fix was delayed by part shortages or didn't fully solve it. A few also mention windshields cracking without impact or sunroof glass breaking or flying off.

Warning signs:
Some owners noticed the liftgate becoming hard to hold open or slamming shut, a sudden loud boom from the sunroof, or a crack line spreading across the windshield with no chip.
What shops did:
Many owners were told by dealers that replacement liftgate support parts for the recall repair were unavailable for months; a few who got the repair reported the liftgate still dropped afterward.
Mileage:
most between 10,000 and 70,000 miles, among 10 complaints that give it

“My lift gate failed and slammed shut. Now, the lift gate is nearly impossible for me to open and I have to hold the lift gate open myself.”

“Driving down the highway and heard a loud boom sound. Next thing I know, pieces of the sunroof start flying off the car.”

Brakes

Owners describe brakes that sometimes fail to slow the car as expected, along with reports of sudden acceleration or unexpected automatic braking. Dealers often couldn't find a cause, though some found sensor or caliper issues.

Warning signs:
Owners report the pedal feeling normal but the car not slowing, brakes slipping, grinding noises, warning lights, or sudden engine revving while braking.
What shops did:
Dealers sometimes replaced sensors, calipers, or pads, but often ran diagnostics and found no fault, leaving the issue unresolved.
Mileage:
most between 10,000 and 60,000 miles, among 12 complaints that give it

“The brake pedal was being applied normally but the vehicle wasn't slowing down like it normally does”

“I will feel like my foot is pushing on both brake and gas pedals, and my car will not slow down as it's supposed to”

Engine

Owners of this CX-5 report engine stalling, knocking, or sudden loss of power, sometimes tied to transmission issues or fuel pump failures. Repairs often involve costly engine or transmission replacements, and a few mention manufacturer updates or recalls related to these problems.

Warning signs:
Some report warning lights, ticking or knocking noises, rough shifting, high revving, or rattling sounds before the failure.
What shops did:
Dealers often diagnosed transmission or engine failures, replacing engines, transmissions, or fuel pumps, sometimes citing out-of-warranty costs.
Mileage:
most between 25,000 and 80,000 miles, among 12 complaints that give it

“Dealer responded by text to owner, new engine replacement, at the cost of $7000”

“it has become clear that this is an issue many other Mazda owners have faced and that is even a recall for the pump”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (3)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 16V644000September 2016580,455 vehicles

    Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.

    Risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.

    Fix: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available.

  • NHTSA 16V203000April 2016578 vehicles

    Steering

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.

    Risk: If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle.

  • NHTSA 16V064000February 2016268,799 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5 vehicles manufactured June 27, 2013, to February 2, 2016. The affected vehicles have a fuel filler pipe that may rupture in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

    Risk: A rupture of the fuel filler pipe may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will alter the attachment between the fuel filler pipe and the left rear side of the bracket of the fuel filler pipe, free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Mazda sent NHTSA 602 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2015 CX-5. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • SA-041-26 · June 2026This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below.
  • SA-031-26 · April 2026DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label.
  • SA-029-26 · April 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red.
  • SA-021-26 · April 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs and bulletin(s) listed below: The changes are noted below in red.
  • SA-055-25 · November 2025Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging.
  • SA-052-25 · November 2025Some customer's might state that they notice fluid or oil leaking/dripping on the ground when the vehicle is parked.
  • SA-039/25 · August 2025Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows.
  • SA-016-24c · October 2024Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging.

All 2015 CX-5 bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2015 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
Owners filed 93 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Mazda CX-5 in its first five years on the road, about 86 for every 100,000 sold: 1.0× the rate of a typical CX-5 year. That's close to a typical year. Ratings compare CX-5 years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2015 CX-5 problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the body and structure (26%), the brakes (11%) and the engine (11%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2015 Mazda CX-5 been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2015 Mazda CX-5, the most recent in September 2016 (structure). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Mazda. The 2015 Mazda CX-5 on NHTSA.gov · How we rate