Mazda Mazda5 problems
67 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Steering: 37 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 19,718–53,000 mi
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
When temperatures drop below freezing, rear sliding doors have difficulty latching to the point where they can't be properly closed. This exact issue is described in recall #06v463000 for which my vehicle's VIN/year is not included. I would like my vehicle to be included in this…
Rear slider doors freeze shut. There is no way to know that this problem is going to occur until it's already an issue. At the same time, the rear slider door latching mechanism freezes in 'open' position. If the door is able to be opened and not closed, the door has to be…
We bought a 2008 mazda5 and have had to take it to the dealer twice for loose bolts on the rear right suspension. The car has less than 2000 miles on it. We are concerned about the safety of the car. *tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Mazda 5. While driving 65 MPH, the sunroof suddenly exploded. The sunroof was closed at the time of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that someone in the vehicle caused the failure. The current and failure mileages…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2008 Mazda Mazda5 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Mazda Mazda5 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2008 Mazda Mazda5?
The 2008 Mazda Mazda5 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Steering: 37 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 19,718–53,000 mi; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2008 Mazda Mazda5?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 37 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,929 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 45,929 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mazda Mazda5 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Mazda Mazda5?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 67 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.