YearToAvoid

2010 Mazda Mazda5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

83/100

#2 most-complained of 7 Mazda5 years

The 2010 Mazda5 has a complaint index of 83 and ranks 2nd worst of 7 model years, earning an 'Avoid' verdict. NHTSA logs 57 complaints, 1 recall, 2 crashes and 1 fire, with airbags and suspension issues tied as the top problem areas at 23% each.

Complaints
57
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
2 / 1
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2010 Mazda Mazda5 problems

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

  1. Airbags13 (23%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (23%)
  3. Engine9 (16%)
  4. Structure & Body7 (12%)
  5. Other6 (11%)
  6. Fuel System5 (9%)
  7. Steering5 (9%)
  8. Brakes4 (7%)
  9. Electrical System4 (7%)
  10. Seat Belts2 (4%)

What owners report

  • Passenger airbag warning light stays on and can indicate the airbag will not deploy, sometimes tied to occupant weight sensing.
  • Airbag warning light flashes intermittently while driving, then disappears before dealers can diagnose it.
  • Fuel pump failures cause sudden engine shutdown while driving, including at highway speed.
  • Traction/stability control light illuminates after driving over bumps and stays on until the car is restarted.
  • Sidewall tire blisters and punctures reported on front and rear tires shortly after purchase.
  • Steering pulls to the right, with owners told this affects other 2010 Mazda5 vehicles as well.
  • Brake pedal drops toward the floor intermittently while stopped at a light.
2010 Mazda Mazda5 complaints: complaints filed per month6May 2010Nov 2011Dec 2012Feb 2015Jun 2016Feb 2018Aug 2021Jan 2024
70 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2010 to Jan 2024; peak Jan 2024 (6).

2010 Mazda Mazda5 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 10V600000Nov 24, 2010Fuel System16,200 vehicles

    Fuel system, other:delivery:fuel pump

    Mazda is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 mazda5 vehicles manufactured from june 29, 2009, through april 28, 2010. Water may not have been removed completely from the harness connector of the fuel pump due to variations in the fuel tank leak check process performed before vehicle assembly. The connector pin may corrode, potentially causing the pin to break.

    Risk: This could lead to an inoperative fuel pump, engine stall and the inability to restart the engine increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel pump connector and if necessary it will be replaced and the harness will be repaired free of charge. The safety recall began on december 6, 2010. Owners may contact mazda customer assistance center at 1-800-222-5500.

2010 compared with other Mazda5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Avoid83571—
2011No verdict010—
2012Avoid100371—

All Mazda Mazda5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Mazda5 reliable?
Compared to other Mazda5 model years, the 2010 ranks poorly, sitting 2nd worst of 7 years tracked with a complaint index of 83 and an 'Avoid' verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Mazda5?
NHTSA complaint data shows airbags and suspension/wheels/tires each account for 23% of complaints, followed by engine issues at 16%.
Does the 2010 Mazda5 have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 10V600000) covers a fuel pump connector that may not have had water fully removed during assembly, which could lead to fuel system problems.
How does the 2010 Mazda5 compare to the 2012 model?
The 2012 Mazda5 has the worst complaint index of the range at 100 and is also rated 'Avoid,' while the 2010 model's index of 83 makes it slightly better but still one of the worse years.
At what mileage do 2010 Mazda5 problems typically show up?
Median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 51,500 miles, though airbag complaints median at 85,000 miles and suspension complaints median at 24,000 miles.

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.