Which Mazda5 years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2008, 2009, and 2012 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 90, 100, and 80 respectively, compared to just 20 for the 2014, which is the Best-rated year.

What is the best year for the Mazda5?

The 2014 Mazda5 is rated Best, with a complaint index of 20 and only 12 total complaints. The 2013 and 2015 model years are also rated Good.

What are the most common Mazda5 problems?

Across all years, suspension, wheels and tires issues make up 28% of complaints and steering issues make up 25%, followed by engine problems at 13% and structure/body problems at 13%.

Does the Mazda5 have a steering recall?

Yes. Recall 10V374000 covers 2007-2009 Mazda5 and Mazda3 vehicles for a power steering pump and line defect that could cause sudden loss of power steering assist.

Is the 2009 Mazda5 reliable?

The 2009 Mazda5 has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, driven largely by suspension and steering failures, and it carries two separate recalls, so it is rated Avoid relative to other Mazda5 years.

Mazda Mazda5 Best and Worst Years (2006–2016)

Avoid the 2008, 2009, and 2012 Mazda5, which carry the highest complaint indexes (90, 100, and 80) and center on steering and suspension failures. The 2014 model is rated Best with a complaint index of just 20, and 2013 and 2015 are also Good choices.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2008 Avoid 2009 Avoid 2012 Best 2014

Model years: 11; 2006–2016
NHTSA complaints: 412
Recall campaigns: 5
Crashes reported: 29
Fires reported: 8
Top problem area: Suspension, Wheels & Tires

Mazda5 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mazda Mazda5 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2006	Caution	60	78	5	2	2	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	—	—
2007	Caution	50	61	3	2	1	Steering	—	—
2008	Avoid	90	67	4	1	1	Steering	—	—
2009	Avoid	100	64	4	2	2	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	—	—
2010	Caution	70	57	2	1	1	Airbags	—	—
2011	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Brakes	—	—
2012	Avoid	80	37	4	0	1	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	—	—
2013	Good	30	24	4	0	1	Brakes	—	—
2014	Best	20	12	0	0	1	Brakes	—	—
2015	Good	40	9	3	0	1	Brakes	—	—
2016	No verdict	10	2	0	0	0	Transmission & Powertrain	—	—

Mazda5 years to avoid: what went wrong

2009 Mazda Mazda5 Index 100 · 64 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2009 Mazda5 has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100. Suspension and wheel problems make up 33% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 48,000, while steering problems make up 27%, failing much earlier at a median of 17,500 miles. Owners reported steering wheels wobbling uncontrollably and vehicles rolling despite the parking brake being engaged. Two recalls apply: 10V600000 for a fuel pump connector issue and 10V374000 for the same power steering pump/line defect found on the 2008.

2009 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2009 steering problems →

2008 Mazda Mazda5 Index 90 · 67 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2008 Mazda5 has a complaint index of 90, the second-worst of any year. Steering accounts for 55% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 39,000 miles; owners describe sudden loss of power steering assist and cases of the wheel locking up mid-drive. Suspension issues follow at 22% of complaints, failing at a median of 21,225 miles. NHTSA recall 10V374000 covers a power steering pump and line replacement for this steering defect. Engine fires were also reported, generally at much higher mileage.

2008 steering problems →2008 suspension, wheels & tires problems →

2012 Mazda Mazda5 Index 80 · 37 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2012 Mazda5 has a complaint index of 80. Suspension and wheel complaints lead at 24%, failing at a median of just 10,500 miles, followed closely by fuel system and structure/body complaints each at 22%. Owners described front seats reclining unexpectedly during rear-end collisions, sometimes with airbag deployment, and reports of losing steering control mid-turn. Recall 16V644000 covers replacement of lift gate supports on this model year.

Most common Mazda Mazda5 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Suspension, Wheels & Tires114 (28%)
Steering101 (25%)
Engine52 (13%)
Structure & Body52 (13%)
Brakes43 (10%)
Electrical System26 (6%)
Other26 (6%)
Airbags25 (6%)
Transmission & Powertrain23 (6%)
Fuel System18 (4%)

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

Frequently asked questions

Which Mazda5 years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2008, 2009, and 2012 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 90, 100, and 80 respectively, compared to just 20 for the 2014, which is the Best-rated year.
What is the best year for the Mazda5?: The 2014 Mazda5 is rated Best, with a complaint index of 20 and only 12 total complaints. The 2013 and 2015 model years are also rated Good.
What are the most common Mazda5 problems?: Across all years, suspension, wheels and tires issues make up 28% of complaints and steering issues make up 25%, followed by engine problems at 13% and structure/body problems at 13%.
Does the Mazda5 have a steering recall?: Yes. Recall 10V374000 covers 2007-2009 Mazda5 and Mazda3 vehicles for a power steering pump and line defect that could cause sudden loss of power steering assist.
Is the 2009 Mazda5 reliable?: The 2009 Mazda5 has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, driven largely by suspension and steering failures, and it carries two separate recalls, so it is rated Avoid relative to other Mazda5 years.