What years of the Mazda CX-5 should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019 Mazda CX-5 model years rank worst, with Complaint Indexes of 85, 100, 92, and 77 respectively.

What is the best year for the Mazda CX-5?

The 2015, 2017, and 2022 model years rank best, with Complaint Indexes of 23, 8, and 15 and far fewer complaints relative to other years.

Is the 2016 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

The 2016 CX-5 has the highest Complaint Index (100) of any CX-5 year, with 510 complaints, 4 recalls, 31 crashes, and 10 fires reported to NHTSA, making it the year to avoid most.

Does the Mazda CX-5 have engine problems?

Engine complaints are the top problem area overall, making up 28 percent (689) of all 2,430 CX-5 complaints, and they are especially concentrated in the 2018 and 2019 model years at 54 and 53 percent of those years' complaints.

How many recalls does the Mazda CX-5 have?

Across all model years covered (2012-2025), NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the Mazda CX-5, including fuel system, transmission software, and airbag issues concentrated in the avoid years.

Mazda CX-5 Best and Worst Years (2012–2025)

Avoid 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019 Mazda CX-5 years; 2016 has the worst Complaint Index (100) with 510 complaints and 4 recalls, followed by 2018 (92, 349 complaints) and 2014 (85, 377 complaints). 2015, 2017, and 2022 rank as the best years with much lower complaint indexes.

Avoid 2014 Avoid 2016 Avoid 2018 Avoid 2019 Best 2015 Best 2017 Best 2022

Model years: 14; 2012–2025
NHTSA complaints: 2,430
Recall campaigns: 8
Crashes reported: 125
Fires reported: 17
Top problem area: Engine

CX-5 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mazda CX-5 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2012	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Engine	—	—
2013	Good	46	194	6	1	1	Electrical System	28	4★
2014	Avoid	85	377	7	0	3	Electrical System	27	5★
2015	Best	23	133	11	0	3	Structure & Body	27	5★
2016	Avoid	100	510	31	10	4	Electrical System	29	4★
2017	Best	8	148	5	0	1	Electrical System	26.5	4★
2018	Avoid	92	349	19	1	3	Engine	28	5★
2019	Avoid	77	270	7	2	2	Engine	27	5★
2020	Good	38	106	9	0	0	Electrical System	26	5★
2021	Caution	69	146	9	0	0	Engine	25.5	5★
2022	Best	15	63	5	2	0	Electrical System	25	5★
2023	Caution	54	62	8	0	0	Electrical System	25	5★
2024	Good	31	44	4	1	0	Engine	25	5★
2025	Caution	62	27	4	0	0	Brakes	25	5★

CX-5 years to avoid: what went wrong

2016 Mazda CX-5 Index 100 · 510 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2016 CX-5 ranks worst of all years with a Complaint Index of 100 and 510 complaints, the highest total in the lineup. Electrical System issues account for 44 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 39,506 miles. Owners describe sudden dashboard warning lights paired with unintended acceleration and brake failure while parking, plus new vehicles bucking and slipping gears within days of purchase. NHTSA logged four recalls, including a daytime running light failure and a steering strut issue. This year had 31 crashes, 10 fires, and 13 injuries, the most of any CX-5 year.

2016 electrical system problems →2016 brakes problems →2016 transmission & powertrain problems →

2018 Mazda CX-5 Index 92 · 349 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2018 CX-5 carries a Complaint Index of 92, ranking second worst, with 349 complaints. Engine problems dominate at 54 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 20,900 miles. Owners describe unintended acceleration while parking, a vehicle catching fire while driving on the highway, and hard automatic braking that led to being rear-ended. Three recalls apply to this year, covering a cracking fuel pump impeller, a PCM software error that could stall the engine, and side curtain airbags that may not deploy properly. NHTSA recorded 19 crashes and one fire.

2018 engine problems →2018 transmission & powertrain problems →2018 fuel system problems →

2014 Mazda CX-5 Index 85 · 377 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2014 CX-5 logs 377 complaints and a Complaint Index of 85, ranking third worst. Electrical System problems dominate at 36 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 60,000 miles. Visibility and wiper issues make up 21 percent, failing around 10,000 miles. Owners describe airbags not deploying in crashes and unexpected acceleration while parking. NHTSA recorded three recalls for this year, including a fuel filler pipe rupture risk and a steering strut mounting issue. Seven crashes and six injuries were reported.

2014 electrical system problems →2014 visibility & wipers problems →2014 transmission & powertrain problems →

2019 Mazda CX-5 Index 77 · 270 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2019 CX-5 has a Complaint Index of 77, ranking fourth worst, with 270 complaints. Engine issues make up 53 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 26,000 miles. Owners describe sudden acceleration while braking, a vehicle accelerating on its own in a driveway after being parked, and an engine failure with oil leaking that required replacement and still left smoke in the cabin. Two recalls apply, covering the same fuel pump impeller defect and PCM stalling software issue found on the 2018 model. Seven crashes and two fires were reported.

2019 engine problems →2019 electrical system problems →2019 transmission & powertrain problems →

Most common Mazda CX-5 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Engine689 (28%)
Electrical System661 (27%)
Other391 (16%)
Transmission & Powertrain281 (12%)
Brakes277 (11%)
Visibility & Wipers206 (8%)
Structure & Body201 (8%)
Fuel System140 (6%)
Collision Avoidance & Cameras95 (4%)
Airbags67 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Mazda CX-5 should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019 Mazda CX-5 model years rank worst, with Complaint Indexes of 85, 100, 92, and 77 respectively.
What is the best year for the Mazda CX-5?: The 2015, 2017, and 2022 model years rank best, with Complaint Indexes of 23, 8, and 15 and far fewer complaints relative to other years.
Is the 2016 Mazda CX-5 reliable?: The 2016 CX-5 has the highest Complaint Index (100) of any CX-5 year, with 510 complaints, 4 recalls, 31 crashes, and 10 fires reported to NHTSA, making it the year to avoid most.
Does the Mazda CX-5 have engine problems?: Engine complaints are the top problem area overall, making up 28 percent (689) of all 2,430 CX-5 complaints, and they are especially concentrated in the 2018 and 2019 model years at 54 and 53 percent of those years' complaints.
How many recalls does the Mazda CX-5 have?: Across all model years covered (2012-2025), NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the Mazda CX-5, including fuel system, transmission software, and airbag issues concentrated in the avoid years.