Mazda CX-5 Complaints (2021)

143 consumer complaints on file.

#11699368November 14, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Important note for snowing conditions: The radar for adaptive cruise control is located in the front Mazda emblem. Snow buildup on the emblem can block the radar's signal and disable the adaptive cruise control system when driving. A heating element is necessary to prevent snow accumulation and maintain functionality.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699103November 13, 2025
TIRES:SIDEWALL, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
We took our car to the Mazda dealership for routine maintenance. The technician found circumferential cracking along the sidewall/tread junction of all 4 tires. We were told that this suggests tread separation and that we should not continue to drive on the tires. We replaced all 4. I have pictures of all 4 tires.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696729October 31, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the Front Brake System Malfunction, Forward Brake Malfunction, and Check Engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started jerking and hesitating as if the wheels would lock up. The steering wheel vibrated while turning to the left or the right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was able to retrieve a diagnostic code; however, the DTC number was unknown. The dealer was unable to identify the exact cause of the code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695018October 22, 2025
VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rear back glass fractured without impact. The contact stated that the vehicle had just been parked for several minutes prior to the failure when the contact returned from a doctor's appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the failure had occurred four times since June 2023. In addition, the contact stated that the rear seat was covered with shattered glass. The contact was instructed by the insurance company to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685051September 4, 2025
TIRES
The tires have lost tire pressure very often. The tires have gotten completely flat 2 times already and I’ve had to call my insurance. The tires are only 6 months old and have been flat 2nd already. 225/55R19 99V BSW ALL-SEASON TIRE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682284August 21, 2025
AIR BAGS
I was driving as normal and the passenger side airbags deployed with a cause. I was driving about 25mph. I didn’t hit anything; no event occurred that would have caused the air bag to deploy. I took the car to a dealer and they recorded the event log which showed a crash but the car clearly did not get into an accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681576August 19, 2025
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH in an intense rainstorm, the windshield became foggy. The contact activated the HVAC system to clear the windshield, but only hot air was coming from the vents. The contact stated that the hot air made the foggy windshield worse. The contact used a towel to wipe the inside of the windshield. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred during intense rainfall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677457July 31, 2025
POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
the “trailing link shaft” broke/split/tore apart at the right rear wheel. my car only has 16,500 miles. the vehicle was inspected by auto manufacturing dealer (mazda). mazda refused to admit it’s realting to manufacturing defect(s). i did not report it to police or my auto insurance carrier at that moment because i did not know what the issues were not until i dropped it off to my local dealer
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676813July 28, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
..... ON AT LEAST 5 SEPERATE OCCASIONS OUR 2021 MAZDA CX5 SUV ACCELERATED TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (ON IT'S OWN). IT HAS DONE IT TO MY WIFE AND I BOTH. I CONTACTED TWO DIFFERENT MAZDA SERVICE CENTERS AND WAS ADVISED THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS AND THAT THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS OR TSB's AND AS INTERMITTENT AS IT IS IT WOULD BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DUPLICATE. ON JULY 18TH THE CAR ACCELERATED (ON ITS OWN) AGAIN BUT THIS TIME IT DROVE MY WIFE INTO A TREE AT APROX. 35/40 MPH BREAKING HER RIBS. THE BODY SHOP INFORMED ME THIS MORNING THAT THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. MAZDA NEEDS TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE ASAP. THIS TIME IT WAS A TREE, THE NEXT TIME IT MAY BE AT A CROSSWALK OR AT AN INTERSECTION. IT'S JUST A MATER OF TIME UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED OR AT THE VERY LEAST BADLY HURT. I DON'T KNOW HOW MAZDA CAN BE UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET. OUR BODY SHOP PULLED IT UP ON LINE AND WAS SHOCKED AT THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS/ CONCERNS THAT EXISTED RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS BECAUSE THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT BE AS FORTUNATE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11676649July 28, 2025
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
The carseat straps loosen on their own when in use. I buckle my son in correctly, chest clip correct, tightness of straps correct and throughout the drive the straps loosen until they are falling off his shoulders. His safety is at risk because if I drive with him and got into an accident he would potentially fly out due to the straps doing this. It has not been inspected but its available to be. I am not able to keep tightening the straps while driving. I have had to have a second passenger who can tighten them throughout the ride. I just purchased the seat a few weeks ago. I am not comfortable to use it at this time. When I noticed this was a repetitive issue I decided to message the company. When I upload documents this form wont send so I can send them via a different way of communication (email etc)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668480June 22, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Infotainment system went dark and I cannot get it to come back on. I’ve read that this has been an ongoing issue and is covered in Mazda cx5 models up to 2020 thru a class action lawsuit, but my one is a 2021 (manufactured we’ll before 2021 though) with a virtually identical system.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666526June 12, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Monday I walked outside and my vehicles back windshield was broken. Oddly enough, there was a big hole on both ends, but the middle began to disintegrate. I got a new glass installed on Wednesday and Thursday morning. I went to get in my car and the new glass was broken. The tech told me that Honda had a recall for the defroster wires Having the same issue, causing the back windshield to break. Although I had not been running my defroster for several months, he said the wires were getting hot even though they were turned off and shattering the windows. Since this is the second windshield that has busted in a week, I assume that Mazda is having the same issue however they have not yet issued a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653373April 8, 2025
ENGINE
No codes, dealer unable to duplicate. I have been hearing a lifter tick come and go for months (since February ) with my oil level up to par. The ticking gets louder and then quieter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634704January 7, 2025
ENGINE, STEERING
Car engine shut down and slowly came to a full stop on the highway on 1/4/25, putting myself and my daughter of being rear ended at full speed on a highway where the speed limit is 65mph. The steering wheel locked and I was unable to move the car to any shoulder. I put the car in park and pressed the start ignition button to start the car and was able to drive again. An appointment is scheduled for 1/17/25 for diagnostics at a Mazda dealership. There were no warning messages prior to this event.. My battery was replaced 2 weeks prior to this incident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628165December 1, 2024
ENGINE
Check engine oil light came on after only 2K miles from last oil change. Upon inspection there was practically no oil in my engine!!! I see there is an ongoing issue since 10/21 with 2021 Mazda CX-5 turbo engines. Despite Mazda’s awareness of the problem, they have yet to issue a recall to fix this issue!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11627683November 27, 2024
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Engine developed a major oil leak at 70,000 miles, with multiple seals leaking. This appears to be a known defect with these vehicles and owners should not be bearing the cost for repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624603November 11, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a 2021 Mazda CX-5 touring with just a little under 26,000 miles. A couple of weeks ago, I started hearing an indescribable, quiet but noticeable sound on the passenger side of the vehicle that started at 15 mph. While attempting to get an appointment at two different booked up Mazda dealerships I noticed the sound getting worse and louder. I was able to get the vehicle into a local shop (not a dealership) close to my home. The technician there stated that my rear differential was leaking and needed to be replaced. He advised me not to drive the car because he said that I could lose total control of the vehicle. I was surprised to hear this as I was planning on picking up my son from school but also because my car has low miles on it. Luckily the repair was covered under my powertrain warranty but I felt the need to share with others. To me, this is a safety issue that Mazda owners should be aware of.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624523November 11, 2024
ENGINE
The vehicle is low mileage (11,500 miles) and is burning an excessive amount of oil (up to a quart every 1,000 miles) The dealership is aware of this and just keeps saying to add oil.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11622304October 28, 2024
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
The outside mirrors failed to rotate open, and you could not see behind the vehicle. The mirrors rotate inward when the doors are locked and are supposed to open fully when the doors are unlocked. These outside mirrors can freeze when rotated in during freezing temperatures. When the vehicle is unlocked, the mirrors if frozen, can be kept from rotating out to the locked position. This condition causes the mirror motor assembly to fail and that prevents the mirrors from rotating to the outboard and locked position. Latter year models have an added option to turn the rotating feature off but no retrofit option was added to earlier model yesrs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618992October 9, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Just got a oil change. Told my battery is almost dead. Upon looking up information I found a letter for recall for 2021 Mazda Cx5 for Dealer Rework 41 telematics communication unit concern. I called the Dealership and they are refusing to fix the problem. Looks like its just a software update is needed. My car only has 24,666 miles and according to the letter should be fixed. [XXX] I bought the car used in April and did a search for recalls prior to buying the car. There is non on Mazda website or vin search. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Mazda CX-5