YearToAvoid

2025 Mazda CX-50 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

No verdict The 2025 Mazda CX-50 has a complaint index of 100, the highest among the 3 model years with data, with 38 complaints, 2 recalls, and 3 crashes reported to NHTSA. Transmission & Powertrain issues lead at 24% of complaints.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 3 CX-50 years
Verdict
No verdict
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
38
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Top issue
Transmission & Powertrain
Best nearby year
—
no alternative with data
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
28
25 city / 31 hwy
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Top 2025 Mazda CX-50 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain9 (24%)
  2. Structure & Body8 (21%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (18%)
  4. Brakes6 (16%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (13%)
  6. Other3 (8%)
  7. Electrical System2 (5%)
  8. Engine2 (5%)
  9. Lane Departure2 (5%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers2 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration where braking failed to slow the vehicle, forcing evasive maneuvers.
  • Some report the automatic braking system engaging prematurely, in one case contributing to a rear-end collision.
  • Multiple owners describe front axle or CV axle failures causing clunking noises during turns, sometimes requiring axle replacement.
  • One owner reported a sudden violent lateral jerk at highway speed linked to a suspected front suspension failure and partial wheel detachment.
  • Owners report rear side radar sensors becoming obscured or disabled at freeway speeds, disabling blind spot monitoring.
  • A heated seat was reported to overheat, causing skin burns during a long drive.
2025 Mazda CX-50 complaints: complaints filed per month7Jul 2025Sep 2025Jan 2026Mar 2026Jun 2026Aug 2026
38 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2025 to Sep 2026; peak Feb 2026 (7).

2025 Mazda CX-50 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V737000Oct 29, 2025Suspension, Wheels & Tires1,007 vehicles

    Suspension:critical fasteners

    Mazda North American Operations is recalling certain 2025 CX-50 and CX-50 Hybrid vehicles. The front suspension fastener bolts may not be tightened properly, which can result in suspension component and/or wheel detachment.

    Risk: Wheel or suspension component detachment can cause a loss of vehicle control and a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front suspension fastener bolts and, if necessary, replace and tighten them, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 10, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. The manufacturer's number for this recall is 7925J. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 3, 2025.

  2. NHTSA 25V413000Jun 18, 2025Airbags2 vehicles

    Air bags: air bag/restraint control module:software

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain CX-50 Hybrid and CX-50 vehicles. Incorrectly configured module software may cause the air bag to deploy improperly.

    Risk: An air bag that deploys improperly increases the risk of injury during a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the module software, free of charge. Owner notifications will not be mailed due to all vehicles being under Mazda dealer control. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. The manufacturer's number for this recall is 7625F.

2025 Mazda CX-50 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
28 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,300
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-50 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2023No verdict5063226
2024No verdict033126
2025No verdict10038228

All Mazda CX-50 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025 Mazda CX-50 reliable?
Compared to the 2023 and 2024 CX-50, the 2025 model year has the highest complaint index at 100, versus 50 for 2023 and 0 for 2024, based on NHTSA owner complaints.
What problems does the 2025 Mazda CX-50 have?
NHTSA data shows the top problem area is Transmission & Powertrain, making up 24% of the 38 complaints filed, followed by Structure & Body at 21% and Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 18%.
Does the 2025 Mazda CX-50 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2025 CX-50: one for front suspension fastener bolts that may loosen and cause wheel detachment, and one for airbag module software that may cause improper deployment.
How does the 2025 CX-50 compare to other CX-50 years?
Among the 3 model years with data, 2025 ranks worst with a complaint index of 100, compared to 50 for 2023 and 0 for 2024.
What is the fuel economy of the 2025 Mazda CX-50?
The EPA rates the 2025 CX-50 at 28 mpg combined (25 city / 31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300.

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.