YearToAvoid

2014 Mazda CX-5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

85/100

#3 most-complained of 14 CX-5 years

The 2014 Mazda CX-5 has 377 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 85, ranking 3rd worst among 14 model years and earning an 'Avoid' verdict. Electrical System issues dominate at 36% of complaints, with 3 recalls on file.

Complaints
377
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
7 / 0
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
27
25 city / 31 hwy

Top 2014 Mazda CX-5 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System137 (36%)
  2. Visibility & Wipers79 (21%)
  3. Other58 (15%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain50 (13%)
  5. Engine46 (12%)
  6. Structure & Body40 (11%)
  7. Brakes35 (9%)
  8. Airbags8 (2%)
  9. Fuel System7 (2%)
  10. Steering7 (2%)

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in a frontal collision despite significant front-end damage, at 2,700 miles.
  • Brake pedal position sits noticeably higher than the gas pedal, causing drivers to catch their foot when trying to brake quickly.
  • Power brakes reportedly failed multiple times over ownership, going hard and unresponsive during city driving.
  • Vehicle unexpectedly surged forward while parking after making an unusual sound suggesting it wasn't fully engaging gear.
  • Front lower ball joints, control arms, and axles failed on both sides within a short span, leaving the wheels partially disconnected and the vehicle unsteerable.
  • Windshield developed a spreading stress crack near the rearview mirror sensor cluster shortly after purchase.
2014 Mazda CX-5 complaints: complaints filed per quarter432013 Q22014 Q42016 Q22017 Q42019 Q22020 Q42022 Q22023 Q4
477 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q2 to 2025 Q4; peak 2018 Q2 (43).

2014 Mazda CX-5 recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V644000Sep 6, 2016Structure & Body580,455 vehicles

    Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.

    Risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.

    Remedy: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.

  2. NHTSA 16V203000Apr 11, 2016Steering578 vehicles

    Steering

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.

    Risk: If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If the bolts are loose, they will be replaced and then correctly tightened, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9316D.

  3. NHTSA 16V064000Feb 3, 2016Fuel System268,799 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5 vehicles manufactured June 27, 2013, to February 2, 2016. The affected vehicles have a fuel filler pipe that may rupture in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

    Risk: A rupture of the fuel filler pipe may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will alter the attachment between the fuel filler pipe and the left rear side of the bracket of the fuel filler pipe, free of charge. The recall began on February 25, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 9216B.

2014 Mazda CX-5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
27 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,400
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2014 compared with other CX-5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012No verdict010—
2013Good46194128
2014Avoid85377327
2015Best23133327
2016Avoid100510429

All Mazda CX-5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014 CX-5 ranks 3rd worst of 14 model years with a Complaint Index of 85 and an 'Avoid' verdict relative to other CX-5 years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Mazda CX-5?
The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 137 complaints, or 36% of all complaints filed for this year, with a median failure mileage of 60,000.
Does the 2014 Mazda CX-5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2014 CX-5, including a fuel filler pipe rupture recall (campaign 16V064000) and a steering strut mounting bolt recall (16V203000).
How does the 2014 CX-5 compare to other years?
The 2014 CX-5's Complaint Index of 85 is worse than 2013 (46), 2015 (23), and 2017 (8), but better than 2016, which has the highest index at 100 and is also rated 'Avoid'.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.