2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5 Reliability Score: 9.2 out of 10

322 NHTSA Complaints

5 Recalls

7 Fire Reports

16 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

9.2 / 10

Reliability score

Very few owner complaints against similar compacts

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 54 powertrain complaints. A typical compact fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 199.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.1 points in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall54 complaints against about 199 for similar vehicles

9.2

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced9 complaints against about 49 for similar vehicles

9.5

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating6 complaints against about 20 for similar vehicles

9.1

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year

20069.1
20079.2
20089.4
20099.4
20109.2

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

L3V (2.3L) Federal

2.3L / 157 hp

267 complaints 35.5 per year Gasoline

6 fire reports

View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering

suspension

wheels tires

engine

body

Same engine used in

MAZDA Mazda3 (2010-2013)MAZDA Mazda3 (2004-2009)

Mazda Mazda5 Unidentified Engine

55 complaints 11.0 per year

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires

suspension

steering

body

electrical

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mazda Mazda5, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Steering: 90 owner complaints

Wheels & Tires: 61 owner complaints

Suspension: 54 owner complaints

Engine: 34 owner complaints

Body/Trim: 33 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5

On a used 2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the steering (90), the wheels and tires (61) and the suspension (54). 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.

Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 90 owner complaints on the 2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5 about the steering.
Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 61 owner complaints on the 2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5 about the wheels and tires.
Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 54 owner complaints on the 2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5 about the suspension.
Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 34 owner complaints on the 2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5 about the engine.
Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 33 owner complaints on the 2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5 about the body and structure.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5

Recalls (5)

10V600000Nov 24, 2010serious

Fuel System, Other

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.

10V374000Aug 12, 2010serious

Steering

MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 MAZDA3 AND MAZDA5 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2, 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2008. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

09E011000Apr 2, 2009serious

Equipment

THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.

06V463000Dec 4, 2006critical

Latches/Locks/Linkages

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN,AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.

05V412000Sep 19, 2005serious

Engine & Cooling

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A HEAT BUILDUP IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN OCCUR.

All Generations

2nd2006-2010 3rd2012-2015

Alternatives in Compact

7 engines / 418 complaints

Audi

2022-2025

9.2/10

3 engines / 26 complaints

2 engines / 30 complaints

3 engines / 116 complaints

4 engines / 176 complaints

2 engines / 80 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5 complaints?

Owners have filed 322 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5. The systems they name most often are the steering, the wheels and tires and the suspension.

Is the 2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5 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 322 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5 have?

NHTSA has 322 owner complaints on file for the 2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5 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 2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5 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 Mazda5?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the steering, the wheels and tires and the suspension, 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.

Does the Mazda5 have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2006-2010 Mazda Mazda5. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 322 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.