2021 Mazda CX-5 problems
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 has 138 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 has 138 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 62 complaints, typically surfacing around 45,728 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 CX-5 | 115 | 1 |
| 2019 CX-5 | 261 | 0 |
| 2020 CX-5 | 105 | 0 |
| 2021 CX-5 (this page) | 138 | 0 |
| 2022 CX-5 | 62 | 0 |
| 2023 CX-5 | 59 | 0 |
| 2024 CX-5 | 41 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — 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: 2021 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 2021 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
- engine — 62 owner reports · tends to show around 45,728 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- powertrain — 15 owner reports · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 4,400 mi · ~$850 to fix
- visibility — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 18,850 mi · ~$350 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 4,400 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: 7.6/10 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 2021 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
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, the vehicle failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact restarted the vehicle and corrected the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer…
Engine is either burning or leaking oil. The low oil light flashed after a 2hr highway trip (traveling to my parent's house for Christmas with my wife), low oil was confirmed the following day via dipstick. Oil was changed at the dealership about 4 months ago, mileage is under…
Bought the car brand new in May 2021, did a first oil change at around 4K miles due to the fact the car uses conventional 5w-30 oil and not synthetic oil. At around 7k miles the low oil engine light came on. Checked the dipstick and it was low. Added a quart of oil to hold me…
When I reached 7000 miles on my car the low oil light came one. I immediately drove it to the dealership - ending a vacation early as I thought something was seriously wrong with the car. I got to dealership and they blamed me for getting an oil change at a competitor and…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 138 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 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 2021 Mazda CX-5?
On the NHTSA data, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — 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 2021 Mazda CX-5?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 62 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,728 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 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 2021 Mazda CX-5 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 138 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 45,728 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 2021 Mazda CX-5?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 62 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,728 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 45,728 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 2021 Mazda CX-5?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 138 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, 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.