2020 Mazda CX-5 problems
The 2020 Mazda CX-5 has 105 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2020 Mazda CX-5 has 105 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 29 complaints, typically surfacing around 28,547 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 CX-5 | 148 | 1 |
| 2018 CX-5 | 115 | 1 |
| 2019 CX-5 | 261 | 0 |
| 2020 CX-5 (this page) | 105 | 0 |
| 2021 CX-5 | 138 | 0 |
| 2022 CX-5 | 62 | 0 |
| 2023 CX-5 | 59 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 29 complaints, classified severe
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — 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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2020 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 2020 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 — 29 owner reports · tends to show around 28,547 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 12 owner reports · tends to show around 20,500 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- brakes — 9 owner reports · tends to show around 3,200 mi · ~$450 to fix
- powertrain — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 96,000 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 28,547 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: 7.8/10 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 2020 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
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2020 Mazda cx-5. Consumer writes in regard to the emergency braking feature on vehicle.
"ghost touch" issue on my cars touch screen operates by itself or doesn't respond. I was driving down a dark road when it went black, the screen had adjusted its brightness down to zero! The radio will change stations then freeze and the manual controls won't even work.
While driving forward in a straight line during broad daylight at approximately 40mph, the car in front of me slowed and turned right onto a side street. I applied brakes to slow myself (to ~25mph I estimate) until the car in front of me was fully out of my lane. Once the car in…
My 2020 Mazda cx-5 was 2 days old and the battery was completely drained and had to be towed to the dealer. I picked it up and they did nothing to the battery. They told me nothing was wrong and they replaced the key fob battery. Two more days after that I parked it in my garage…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2020 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 105 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 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 2020 Mazda CX-5?
The 2020 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: Electrical system: 29 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2020 Mazda CX-5?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 29 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 28,547 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 2020 Mazda CX-5 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 105 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 28,547 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 2020 Mazda CX-5?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 29 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 28,547 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 28,547 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 2020 Mazda CX-5?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 105 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.