YearToAvoid

2025 Mazda CX-5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

62/100

#6 most-complained of 14 CX-5 years

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 has a Complaint Index of 62 and ranks 6th worst out of 14 model years, earning a "Caution" label. Brakes (37% of complaints) and Engine (33%) are the top problem areas, with no recalls filed so far.

Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
4 / 0
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
25
23 city / 29 hwy

Top 2025 Mazda CX-5 problems

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

  1. Brakes10 (37%)
  2. Engine9 (33%)
  3. Other7 (26%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (22%)
  5. Electrical System5 (19%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers4 (15%)
  7. Fuel System3 (11%)
  8. Steering3 (11%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain3 (11%)
  10. Structure & Body2 (7%)

What owners report

  • Brakes reportedly cause unintended forward acceleration when stopped in a line of traffic, moving the car forward several feet despite the pedal being applied.
  • Some owners describe sudden, unprompted high acceleration while stopped and waiting to move, requiring immediate braking.
  • The steering wheel has reportedly locked up or become inoperable while in a parking lot, with brakes failing to stop the car and causing multiple vehicle impacts.
  • The automatic emergency braking system has reportedly engaged aggressively and without warning in normal traffic, locking all four wheels and nearly causing rear-end collisions.
  • Owners report the windshield producing distorted or unclear views of objects, including the head-up display and road signs.
  • Electrical faults have reportedly disabled multiple safety systems at once, including the parking brake, anti-lock brakes, stability control, and airbags, along with a vehicle that would not start.
2025 Mazda CX-5 complaints: complaints filed per month10Jan 2025Sep 2025Nov 2025Feb 2026Apr 2026Jun 2026Aug 2026
53 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2025 to Aug 2026; peak Apr 2026 (10).

2025 Mazda CX-5 recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2025 Mazda CX-5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
25 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,600
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.

2025 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
2023Caution5462025
2024Good3144025
2025Caution6227025

All Mazda CX-5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
NHTSA data shows a Complaint Index of 62 for the 2025 CX-5, placing it 6th worst among 14 model years and earning a "Caution" verdict relative to other CX-5 years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2025 Mazda CX-5?
Brakes are the top complaint area, accounting for 37% of complaints, followed by Engine issues at 33%, according to NHTSA owner complaints.
Does the 2025 Mazda CX-5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2025 Mazda CX-5 as of the latest data update.
How does the 2025 CX-5 compare to other recent years?
The 2025 CX-5's Complaint Index of 62 is higher than 2024 (31) and 2022 (15), but lower than 2016 (100) and 2014 (85), which carry "Avoid" verdicts.
What is the fuel economy of the 2025 Mazda CX-5?
EPA rates the 2025 CX-5 at 25 mpg combined (23 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600.

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.