Mazda CX-5: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
2,478 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Mazda CX-5, model years 2012 to 2026. 3 model years stand out for the engine or transmission: 2018 (engine 12×); 2019 (engine 9×); 2021 (engine 5.5×). Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2015, 2017, 2013. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 CX-5FEW REPORTS | 1 | — | 0 | |
| 2013 CX-5 | 191 | quiet: 3 of 7 | 1 | |
| 2014 CX-5 | 377 | — | 4 | |
| 2015 CX-5FEW REPORTS | 133 | quiet: 1 of 7 | 4 | |
| 2016 CX-5 | 511 | — | 5 | |
| 2017 CX-5 | 150 | quiet: 2 of 7 | 1 | |
| 2018 CX-5 | 355 | engine 12× | 3 | |
| 2019 CX-5 | 273 | engine 9× | 2 | |
| 2020 CX-5FEW REPORTS | 110 | — | 0 | |
| 2021 CX-5 | 150 | engine 5.5× | 0 | |
| 2022 CX-5FEW REPORTS | 65 | — | 0 | |
| 2023 CX-5FEW REPORTS | 67 | — | 0 | |
| 2024 CX-5FEW REPORTS | 47 | — | 0 | |
| 2025 CX-5FEW REPORTS | 29 | — | 0 | |
| 2026 CX-5FEW REPORTS | 19 | — | 0 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Mazda models
Mazda 626 · Mazda B-Series Truck · Mazda CX-30 · Mazda CX-50 · Mazda CX-7 · Mazda CX-9 · Mazda CX-90 · Mazda MPV · Mazda MX-5 · Mazda Mazda3 · Mazda Mazda5 · Mazda Mazda6 · Mazda Protege · Mazda RX-8 · Mazda Tribute. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 2013201420162017201820192021