2014 Mazda CX-5 problems
The 2014 Mazda CX-5 has 377 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2014 Mazda CX-5 has 377 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 114 complaints, typically surfacing around 69,092 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 CX-5 | 194 | 0 |
| 2014 CX-5 (this page) | 377 | 0 |
| 2015 CX-5 | 133 | 0 |
| 2016 CX-5 | 507 | 5 |
| 2017 CX-5 | 148 | 1 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around 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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2014 Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2014 Mazda CX-5? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 114 owner reports · tends to show around 69,092 mi · ~$850 to fix
- visibility — 71 owner reports · tends to show around 16,120 mi · ~$350 to fix
- powertrain — 49 owner reports · tends to show around 51,349 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- body — 28 owner reports · tends to show around 23,131 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 37,237 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2014 Mazda CX-5
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2014 Mazda CX-5
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~11,345 mivisibility~$350
- ~15,000 mibody~$1,500
- ~34,200 mibrakes~$450
- ~54,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~62,000 mielectrical~$850
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
When turning the vehicle off the engine will turn off but the electrical components continue running. Park shifter switch wears down and stops working. This problem could result in battery to die. This happens repeatedly. This is when the driver is attempting to park the…
front passenger side CV Axle/Boot, control arm, tie rod end fell apart causing tire to dislocate from vehicle. Vehicle has been properly maintained. It is at Mazda dealer service dept. It can be inspected there. If this fell apart on freeway it could have caused a major…
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Mazda cx-5. After the contact shifted into the drive position, the vehicle rolled backwards and would not drive forward. Also, the vehicle would not shut off when the engine power button was pressed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer (koeppel…
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Mazda cx-5. The contact stated that when the door unlock button was engaged the doors remained locked. As a result, her child became locked inside the vehicle and the contact had to shatter a window to get inside. The failure recurred multiple times.…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2014 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 377 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 Mazda CX-5 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 2014 Mazda CX-5?
The 2014 Mazda CX-5 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2014 Mazda CX-5?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 114 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,092 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2014 Mazda CX-5 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 377 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 69,092 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2014 Mazda CX-5?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 114 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,092 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 69,092 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mazda CX-5 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 2014 Mazda CX-5?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 377 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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.