Mazda CX-5 Complaints (2017)

150 consumer complaints on file.

#11770671October 12, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
My 2017 Mazda CX-5 has experienced a recurring condition more than six times involving sudden jerking, rapid deceleration, and loss of normal accelerator response during extended highway driving, often while cruise control is engaged. On multiple occasions the engine has also shut down. On 09/11/2026, while traveling south on I-35 at approximately 80 mph with cruise control engaged, the vehicle suddenly began jerking violently and rapidly losing speed. Normal accelerator response was lost and a vehicle behind me nearly struck my vehicle. I was able to reach the shoulder just before the engine shut down. The vehicle would not restart and required towing. There was little or no meaningful warning before the loss of power. The vehicle was inspected by a Mazda dealer. I specifically reported the recurring highway jerking, deceleration, loss of throttle response, and shutdown concern. An aftermarket OBD-II device was removed after the dealer identified parasitic battery draw. The dealer subsequently stated in writing that the battery and alternator were healthy and that the vehicle was “operating as intended.” On 10/09/2026, with that device no longer installed, the same symptoms occurred again during highway travel and the vehicle again became disabled and required towing. The Mazda dealer has now verified the drivability concern and reported a Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor “A” Circuit Low fault and low fuel pressure. The dealer is recommending replacement of the high-pressure fuel pump as an initial repair, followed by further testing of the in-tank fuel pump. The vehicle is currently available for inspection at the Mazda dealer. NHTSA’s VIN lookup currently shows 0 unrepaired recalls. I am reporting this because sudden loss of acceleration and power at highway speed creates a serious collision and roadside safety risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769737October 7, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My car started to smell like gas. I brought it to a shop and there was a leak in my high pressure pump in which the gas was leaking on to my engine. I paid $1600 to have this replaced and there is only 88,000 miles on the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747415June 30, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The radio is uncontrollable by driver. The radio the self dial from Bluetooth. Even if not connected, the radio surprises this driver by playing the radio unexpectedly at the highest rate. Due to the buttons not working, driver cannot turn down the radio causing safety concerns for being scared and distracted. There are no warnings. Mazda is unwilling to assess without pay.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746990June 28, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
There is a consistent issue with the “ghost touch“ and the electrical system so when you’re going down the road, the musical will change. The music will blast up or down randomly it’ll get stuck and it’s very distracting. It will hang up on people while you’re having a conversation through the car phone. This was a recall for Mazda 2014 through 2016 and they need to extend it because it was still happening with my 2017. This is my first experience with Mazda and it has not been a good one as far as this goes. I do a lot of driving and phone calls and music are very important and stuff randomly changing or getting stuck while you’re driving and then trying to fix it is very dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741077May 30, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Infotainment system randomly makes its own selections. Turns volume up and down, changes settings, changes stations... etc. Anything that can be controlled on the screen is at risk of being randomly hijacked. Once, my drivers assist volume was unexpectedly turned to full blast and randomly shouted "navigation assistant will be at this volume. " I jumped so badly I actually could have crashed if I hadn't been at a light.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739578May 22, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Mazda CX-5. While driving the vehicle, the engine overheat warning suddenly illuminated on the dashboard cluster panel. The contact pulled over immediately, restarted the engine, and coasted the vehicle to a local, independent mechanic shop. The independent mechanic diagnosed the issue as a blown head gasket. For a secondary inspection, the vehicle was transported to an authorized Mazda dealership. Dealership technicians determined that the engine cylinder was actually cracked and recommended a full engine replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739407May 21, 2026
AIR BAGS
Last week, the airbag warning light illuminated on my dashboard. Please be aware that this marks the fourth occurrence of this issue. Each time I bring the vehicle to the dealership, they provide a different explanation, and I am required to cover the repair costs. I have been informed that the vehicles were manufactured with a defect, causing the wiring harness to corrode at the junction where the temperature sensor connects to the engine, which measures the coolant temperature. Additionally, on two occasions, I was told that the wire had disconnected from the airbag connector. During my most recent visit to the dealership on 5/21/26, I was informed that an item in my glove compartment had dislodged the wire from the passenger side airbag module. This situation is extremely concerning, as it suggests that the wire can easily fall out or become loose from the airbag, given that there is no barrier between the glove compartment and the airbag. It is important to note that this issue arises each time I start the vehicle while it is stationary, and this vehicle has never been involved in an accident nor have the airbags been deployed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724653March 16, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My car only has 65k miles on it and the rear differential failed and needs to be replaced. I am seeing this posted online by many Mazda CX-5 owners well under the mileage this typically happenes but out of the warranty period. Mazda should start a recall or compensate owners for this. its never been in an accident simply a commuter car used around town
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722180March 5, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
During a one-hour car ride, the front passenger side seat heater burned a hole through the seat, damaging my wife's skirt and leaving a hole in the upholstery. The overheating definitely originated within the seat. We immediately turned the seat heater off and have not used it since. It could have started a fire, which is very scary, or burned my wife, which is a serious safety risk. This issue has been mentioned by other Mazda owners, but I cannot find any recall reports. There were no warnings prior to the burning. The component is being taken to the dealership to be examined today.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709977January 9, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UNKNOWN The infotainment system started malfunctioning on its own. Changes channels on radio, goes into settings and makes changes. Calls phone numbers etc. Does it more in the cold weather
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707923December 30, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The infotainment system suffers from ghost touching. It has gotten out of control even after a “recall” fix at the dealership. Without being touched the volume changes, the stations change, the presets change, the car makes calls to my contacts. I am often unable to control the screen as it turns the car to max volume while driving. It is extremely unsafe, distracting and alarming.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702925December 4, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree. Multiple warning lights all at once. This issue has been reported on multiple Mazda vehicle years. Took to Delker Auto repairs. Is electrical problem. Stated that so far nothing wrong with components. Will have to hunt for. Mazda has known electrical issues. In addition, your file upload will not let me upload picture even though it's in correct format. I can send separately.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699194November 13, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CX-5's infotainment system RANDOMLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING STARTS BEEPING AND CHANGING OPTIONS WHILE DRIVING, A VERY DISTRACTING EVENT. I TRIED TO SHUT THE SCREEN OFF BUT IT COMES BACK ON RANDOMLY AND CAUSES CONCERN AND DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING, IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS NOW AND OF WHAT I READ MAZDA WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697501November 4, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The infotainment system in my 2017 Mazda CX-5 exhibits dangerous behavior consistent with known defects described in the Mazda Infotainment Class Action Settlement (Case No. 8:21-cv-01355). The infotainment system and touchscreen repeatedly activate critical functions on its own (“ghost touches”), sometimes going black, changing critical settings, disengaging phone calls as well as unexpectedly activating phone calls, and navigation features engage or freeze unpredictably. These malfunctions distract from safe vehicle operation, requiring driver attention to manage the malfunctioning display. The vehicle’s display is integrated with backup camera, audio, and Bluetooth controls, so these repeated malfunctions cause safety concerns while driving. Mazda and the dealership have refused to repair the defect under the Limited Warranty Extension established in the settlement, incorrectly claiming the issue is unrelated to the CMU (connectivity master unit). However, these symptoms are identical to those described in Mazda’s internal service bulletins (CSP13 and TSB 09-022/17) and covered by the settlement. I believe Mazda is failing to properly address a continuing safety-related defect that impacts infotainment stability and driver concentration. These issues have occurred for years and are continuing nearly every time I operate the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692299October 9, 2025
SEAT BELTS
Not an "incident" per se. Front passenger Seat Belt is difficult to clasp.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691959October 7, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Rear differential failed around 97,000 miles. We were three months past our certified pre-owned warranty. Total cost to repair was around $4400 after a discount on parts and labor through our Costco membership. Contacted Mazda to see if they’d be willing to provide any assistance to cover the repair, they declined. Service advisor told us that it was a catastrophic failure that we did not cause. We purchased this car in 2020 and have always had it serviced at the dealership and at no point did they bring it up as it being an issue. The rear differential should not fail.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688707September 21, 2025
SEAT BELTS
Unknown
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688710September 21, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I purchased this vehicle on the 10th of September. BY the 12th I I noticed the infotainment system was doing its own thing without me touching anything. The next day it did the same thing I E.changing stations on its own,volume going up or down etc...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688714September 21, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Unknown The infotainment system started malfunctioning on its own
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11673657July 15, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2017 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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