YearToAvoid

2021 Mazda CX-5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

69/100

#5 most-complained of 14 CX-5 years

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 has a Complaint Index of 69, ranking 5th worst out of 14 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine issues make up 60% of its 146 complaints, with 9 crashes and 7 injuries reported, but no recalls.

Complaints
146
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
9 / 0
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
25.5
23.5 city / 29 hwy

Top 2021 Mazda CX-5 problems

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

  1. Engine88 (60%)
  2. Other18 (12%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain17 (12%)
  4. Electrical System13 (9%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (9%)
  6. Brakes11 (8%)
  7. Fuel System8 (5%)
  8. Lane Departure7 (5%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers6 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration where the vehicle lurches forward even with the brake pedal firmly applied, sometimes resulting in a crash into a wall or garage door.
  • Some drivers describe the vehicle accelerating on its own during adaptive cruise control use on the highway, leading to rear-end collisions.
  • Several owners noted brand-new brakes feeling like they seized up or emitted a burning smell within days of purchase.
  • One owner described a panoramic sunroof glass exploding outward while driving at highway speed.
  • Reports describe complete loss of electrical power after the vehicle sat unused for a day, leaving it unable to start.
  • A driver noted the Lane Departure warning malfunctioning and causing the car to shut down while swerving to avoid a truck, resulting in a rear-end collision.
2021 Mazda CX-5 complaints: complaints filed per quarter262021 Q12021 Q42022 Q32023 Q22024 Q12024 Q42025 Q32026 Q2
196 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2021 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2022 Q3 (26).

2021 Mazda CX-5 recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2021 Mazda CX-5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23.5 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
25.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,550
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.

2021 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
2019Avoid77270227
2020Good38106026
2021Caution69146025.5
2022Best1563025
2023Caution5462025

All Mazda CX-5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2021 CX-5 a Complaint Index of 69, ranking it 5th worst among 14 model years, with a Caution verdict relative to other CX-5 years.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Mazda CX-5?
Engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 60% of the 146 complaints filed, with a median mileage at failure of 40,182.5 miles.
Does the 2021 Mazda CX-5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2021 Mazda CX-5, including zero do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2021 CX-5 compare to other years?
With a Complaint Index of 69, the 2021 CX-5 ranks worse than the 2022 (15), 2020 (38), and 2017 (8) model years, but better than the 2016 (100) and 2014 (85) model years.
Were there any crashes linked to 2021 CX-5 complaints?
NHTSA data shows 9 crashes and 7 injuries associated with 2021 CX-5 complaints, with no reported fires or deaths.

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.