Mazda CX-5 — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

3 model years to avoid, 2 to watch and 3 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid3 years

Caution2 years

Best bets3 years

Complaint history

2012: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2012 2013: 194 complaints, Caution 2014: 377 complaints, Avoid 2014 2015: 133 complaints, Recommended 2016: 510 complaints, Avoid 2016 2017: 149 complaints, Recommended 2018: 349 complaints, Avoid 2018 2019: 269 complaints, Caution 2020: 107 complaints, Recommended 2020 2021: 146 complaints, Recommended 2022: 63 complaints, Recommended 2022 2023: 64 complaints, Recommended 2024: 44 complaints, Recommended 2024 2025: 28 complaints, Not enough data 2026: 15 complaints, Not enough data 2026 2016 · 510
2012: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2012 2013: 194 complaints, Caution 2014: 377 complaints, Avoid 2014 2015: 133 complaints, Recommended 2016: 510 complaints, Avoid 2016 2017: 149 complaints, Recommended 2018: 349 complaints, Avoid 2018 2019: 269 complaints, Caution 2020: 107 complaints, Recommended 2020 2021: 146 complaints, Recommended 2022: 63 complaints, Recommended 2022 2023: 64 complaints, Recommended 2024: 44 complaints, Recommended 2024 2025: 28 complaints, Not enough data 2026: 15 complaints, Not enough data 2026 2016 · 510
2012: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2012 2013: 194 complaints, Caution 2013 2014: 377 complaints, Avoid 2014 2015: 133 complaints, Recommended 2015 2016: 510 complaints, Avoid 2016 2017: 149 complaints, Recommended 2017 2018: 349 complaints, Avoid 2018 2019: 269 complaints, Caution 2019 2020: 107 complaints, Recommended 2020 2021: 146 complaints, Recommended 2021 2022: 63 complaints, Recommended 2022 2023: 64 complaints, Recommended 2023 2024: 44 complaints, Recommended 2024 2025: 28 complaints, Not enough data 2025 2026: 15 complaints, Not enough data 2026 2016 · 510
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2026 ○ Not enough data 15 Only 15 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2025 ○ Not enough data 28 Only 28 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2024 ▲ Recommended 44 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2023 ▲ Recommended 64 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2022 ▲ Recommended 63 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2021 ● Recommended 146 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2020 ● Recommended 107 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2019 ◆ Caution 269 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2018 ■ Avoid 349 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2017 ● Recommended 149 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2016 ■ Avoid 510 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2015 ● Recommended 133 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2014 ■ Avoid 377 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2013 ◆ Caution 194 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2012 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

9

recalls on file across every Mazda CX-5 model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Mazda models