Is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 a bad year?
150 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 83, 5.5× a quiet CX-5 year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 5.5× the complaints of a quiet CX-5 year.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 CX-5 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 83 (55%) | too few with a mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 17 (11%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 14 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 12 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 12 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 7 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 7 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 150 complaints: 10 mention a crash · 6 report an injury · 10 say the car was towed.
29 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2021 Mazda CX-5: 0
No recall campaign lists this model year.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Mazda: 322
Repair instructions Mazda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 Mazda CX-5. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...)…
001/26 Warranty and Parts Kit Update INCLUDES: Warranty Extension Program - Special Service Program (SSP) D8 Check Engine Light ON with DTC P0126:00…
Some customers may experience a check engine light ON with DTC P0126:00 (Thermostat stuck open) and one or more of the following symptoms: Engine takes longer…
Some vehicles may display some (or all) of the following symptoms: Check engine light on with DTC P061B Light increase in engine rpms during acceleration…
Neighbouring years
2020 CX-5: 110 complaints, keep it · 2022 CX-5: 65 complaints, keep it.
Every Mazda CX-5 year
2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All CX-5 years side by side
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.
Questions
Is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 a bad year?
150 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 83, 5.5× a quiet CX-5 year. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 5.5× the complaints of a quiet CX-5 year.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Mazda CX-5?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (83), transmission and drivetrain (17), electrical system (14), brakes (12), collision avoidance (12).
How many recalls does the 2021 Mazda CX-5 have?
No recall campaign lists this model year in NHTSA data. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.