Complaint volume
136 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2021 Mazda CX-5 Complaints
136 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Mazda CX-5, grouped by component category.
136 Total complaints
8 Crash reports
0 Fire reports
5 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, unknown or other, power train,engine. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 8 crash reports, 0 fire reports, 5 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 16 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 24,119 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, unknown or other, power train,engine?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2021 Mazda CX-5?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2021 Mazda CX-5
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Mazda CX-5 complaints?
8 Crash
0 Fire
5 Injury
0 Fatality
8 Towed
4 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Mazda CX-5 complaint categories?
ENGINE 56
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5
POWER TRAIN 5
SERVICE BRAKES 5
VISIBILITY/WIPER 4
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 3
TIRES 3
VISIBILITY 3
136 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2021 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX5. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was not operating properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer reprogrammed the Transmission Control Unit (TCU). However, the failure recurred. After taking the vehicle back from the dealer, the contact was driving at an undisclosed speed, when the windshield wiper inadvertently engaged, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the headlights inadvertently turned off and the steering wheel pulled the contact's arm down and the vehicle went to the median, running over a metal pole. The cruise control would not deactivate, and the brakes would not engage immediately. No injuries were sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Hiley Mazda of Huntsville (6934 Hwy 72 W, Huntsville, AL 35806). The dealer measured the fuel level resistance range of the fuel level sender and informed the contact that the fuel level sending unit needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,629. | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,629 |
| Nov 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The design of the remote control is poor. Placement of the buttons on the side and the light pressure needed to activate the unlock for the trunk has led to it opening unexpectedly. It can open and strike a pedestrian when you did not intend to activate the powered trunk open feature. It could also open when near an object and damage the trunk b/c of how sensitive the remote buttons are. This has also led to the doors unlocking b/c of placement and light pressure needed to activate. On one occasion the button was pressed accidentally and the trunk was partially open as I backed up. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | Primary hood latch released while driving. It happened at night in heavy rain and was not seen. This vehicle appears to lack a hood open warning indicator. I am unable to find it in the manual. There is an indicator for doors and back hatch but not the hood. Had the secondary latch failed, this could have had a catastrophic outcome. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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 start the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to contact the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact they would send for a tow truck, but the tow truck never showed up. The failure mileage was approximately 4,400. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 4,400 |
| Aug 2021 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 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 car saying she had no lights in the rear. This is not on all these models, but we were told this particular model doesn't have the lights, even though the light kits are installed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | 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 department of 495 Mazda in Lowell MA who advised they had charged the battery and tested it as ok and offered to return the vehicle to me. There were no warning lights or other indication of this problem. This morning when I called for service, the dealer, 495 Mazda informed me they do not pick up failed automobiles and I should either call Mazda roadside assistance or jump start the car and bring it in. I measured the battery voltage at 2.5 volts and charged it with a high quality battery charger. The car then started. After shutting off the car there was a faint buzzing sound from the engine compartment. I advised the dealer service department of all these details. I would also note that after the car started I measured the battery voltage at over 14 volts proving the charging system works, after shutting off the engine the voltage dropped to 12.1 volts. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,700 |
| Mar 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | 500 |
| Feb 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 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 FOR IT. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY CALL BACKS FROM MAZDA CORPORATION. BROWNS CHANTILLY DID ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE BUT ALL THAT DID WAS MASK IT SLIGHTLY. THE DAMAGE IS STILL VERY VISIBLE. THIS CAR HAS 12 MILES ON IT AND MOST OF THOSE ARE FROM THE DEALER. I AM UNABLE TO UPLOAD MORE THAN ONE PHOTO. THE PHOTO SHOWS THE LARGEST SCRATCH BUT T HERE ARE MANY MORE ON THE CAR. | Crash: No Fire: No | 12 |
| Jan 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES | 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'T HAVE ANY MORE INFO YET. I JUST SIGNED BACK ON TO THE APP AND THERE'S A SECOND MALFUNCTION ALERT NOW WITH THE EMERGENCY LAND KEEPING. THERE ARE NOW CURRENTLY 65 MILES ON THE ODO. WE HAVE ONLY DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP HOME AND PARKED IT OUTSIDE OVER NIGHT. | Crash: No Fire: No | 5 |
| Jan 2021 | STRUCTURE | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | 3,000 |