YearToAvoid

2020 Mazda CX-5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

62/100

#6 most-complained of 14 CX-5 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 has 106 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 62 out of 100 — #6 highest of 14 CX-5 model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is electrical system (30 complaints, 28% of the total). Complaints report 9 crashes and 6 injuries.

Complaints
106
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
9 / 0
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
26
24 city / 30 hwy

Top 2020 Mazda CX-5 problems

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

  1. Electrical System30 (28%)
  2. Other26 (25%)
  3. Engine22 (21%)
  4. Brakes14 (13%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras14 (13%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain8 (8%)
  7. Structure & Body7 (7%)
  8. Airbags5 (5%)
  9. Fuel System4 (4%)
  10. Lane Departure4 (4%)
2020 Mazda CX-5 complaints: complaints filed per quarter152020 Q12021 Q12022 Q12023 Q22024 Q22025 Q22026 Q2
142 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2020 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q3 (15).

2020 Mazda CX-5 recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2020 Mazda CX-5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
26 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,500
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.

2020 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
2018Avoid92349328
2019Avoid85270227
2020Caution62106026
2021Caution69146025.5
2022Best863025

All Mazda CX-5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Mazda CX-5 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 ranks #6 of 14 among CX-5 model years (Complaint Index 62/100, verdict: Caution). It has 106 complaints and 0 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Mazda CX-5?
The most reported problem areas are electrical system (30 complaints), engine (22 complaints), and brakes (14 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 3,200 miles.
Does the 2020 Mazda CX-5 have any recalls?
No safety recall campaigns list the 2020 Mazda CX-5 in NHTSA’s recall database at the time of the last data update.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Mazda CX-5?
EPA rates the 2020 Mazda CX-5 at 26 MPG combined (24 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

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.