CX-5 (KE)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
PY
2.5L 4-cyl / 187 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
PE Federal/Canada/California
2.0LView details
Complaint Breakdown
Mazda CX-5 Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
PE
2.0L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mazda CX-5, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5
On a used 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the electrical system (290), the exterior lighting (172) and the transmission and drivetrain (158). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 290 owner complaints on the 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5 about the electrical system.
- Check every exterior light, the wipers, the washers, the mirrors and the glass.Safety. NHTSA has 172 owner complaints on the 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5 about the exterior lighting.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 158 owner complaints on the 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5 about the transmission and drivetrain.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 136 owner complaints on the 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5 about the engine.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 135 owner complaints on the 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5 about the brakes.
Recalls (5)
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 CX-5 vehicles. The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may fail while driving.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5 vehicles manufactured June 27, 2013, to February 2, 2016. The affected vehicles have a fuel filler pipe that may rupture in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Pilkington North America, Inc. (Pilkington) is recalling certain replacement windshields, model FW04026 GTY, manufactured November 23, 2015, to December 16, 2015 for use in Mazda CX-5 vehicles that are equipped with the Smart City Brake Support system. The affected windshields have a bracket mounted on the inside to hold a laser sensor or LIDAR device for the Smart City Brake Support system. These brackets were improperly affixed with only tape instead of tape and urethane and therefore may loosen.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5 complaints?
Owners have filed 1,211 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the exterior and the transmission.
Is the 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5 a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 1,211 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5 have?
NHTSA has 1,211 owner complaints on file for the 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5 as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5 vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Mazda CX-5?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the exterior and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the CX-5?
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 received an overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (16.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,211 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.