2014 Mazda CX-5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2014 Mazda CX-5 has a complaint index of 77, ranking 4th worst among 14 model years, and is rated Avoid. Electrical System issues make up 36% of its 377 complaints, with three recalls including a fuel filler pipe rupture risk.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 77/100
- #4 of 14 CX-5 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 377
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 25 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2014 Mazda CX-5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System137 (36%)
- Visibility & Wipers79 (21%)
- Other58 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain50 (13%)
- Engine46 (12%)
- Structure & Body40 (11%)
- Brakes35 (9%)
- Airbags8 (2%)
- Fuel System7 (2%)
- Steering7 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Driver-side airbags failed to deploy in front-end and side-impact crashes despite significant damage.
- Brakes reportedly became hard to push down or unresponsive during city driving, requiring repeated fluid flushes.
- The brake pedal sat noticeably higher than the gas pedal, which owners say slowed reaction time and contributed to a parking-lot collision.
- Front windshields developed spreading cracks near the rearview mirror mount shortly after purchase, sometimes from minor rock strikes.
- The transmission got stuck in a low gear and struggled to accelerate past 20-30 mph in cold morning conditions.
- Front lower ball joints, control arms, and axles failed on both sides of the vehicle within a short span, leaving the vehicle undriveable.
2014 Mazda CX-5 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014 CX-5 ranks 4th worst out of 14 model years with a complaint index of 77 and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other CX-5 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Mazda CX-5?
- Electrical System complaints are the largest category, accounting for 137 of 377 complaints (36%), with a median failure mileage of 60,000 miles.
- Does the 2014 Mazda CX-5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2014 CX-5, including one for a fuel filler pipe that may rupture and one covering steering strut mounting bolts.
- How does the 2014 CX-5 compare to other CX-5 years?
- The 2014 model's complaint index of 77 is much higher than 2013 (38), 2015 (31), and 2017 (15), which are rated Good or Best, though it is lower than 2016's index of 100.