2020 MAZDA CX-5

0 recalls — 141 complaints — 5/5 safety rating

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

141 total complaints 14 crashes 9 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM26
UNKNOWN OR OTHER23
ENGINE15
SERVICE BRAKES12
POWER TRAIN7
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING7
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS5
STRUCTURE:BODY5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
AIR BAGS4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Apr 1, 2026
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
I am reporting an ongoing defect with the infotainment system in my 2020 Mazda CX-5, involving ghost-touch inputs, system freezing, and random reboots. These issues began around the second year of ownership and have progressively worsened. The system constantly registers inputs that are not being m... Read more
STEERING Mar 16, 2026
Incident date: Mar 14, 2026
The steering column in this car has a known defect in the steering column nut resulting in knocking/rattling/clunking. Mazda is aware of this issue and has redesigned the steering column and issued multiple TSBs for specific models, years, and even VINs. Mazda is not classifying this a a safety is... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES Feb 23, 2026
Incident date: Feb 15, 2026
The Smart Brake Support system malfunctioned while driving. The vehicle began shaking and lost power, requiring excessive throttle to move. The car hesitates and may not accelerate normally, creating a dangerous situation in traffic. Warning lights appeared on the dashboard and the vehicle became un... Read more
ENGINE Feb 23, 2026
Incident date: Feb 15, 2026
The Smart Brake Support system malfunctioned while driving. The vehicle began shaking and lost power, requiring excessive throttle to move. The car hesitates and may not accelerate normally, creating a dangerous situation in traffic. Warning lights appeared on the dashboard and the vehicle became un... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Feb 23, 2026
Incident date: Feb 15, 2026
The Smart Brake Support system malfunctioned while driving. The vehicle began shaking and lost power, requiring excessive throttle to move. The car hesitates and may not accelerate normally, creating a dangerous situation in traffic. Warning lights appeared on the dashboard and the vehicle became un... Read more
POWER TRAIN Feb 17, 2026
Incident date: Feb 15, 2026
Started smelling burning oil in 2020 Mazda CX-5 non turbo with 34,000 miles. Auto shop states it is a cracked cylinder that will cost over $7,000 to repair. A Google search shows it is a known issue but Mazda has not extended the warranty for non-turbo models.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) Jan 6, 2026
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
The contact owned a 2020 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving under 45 MPH, the TCM received a false data sensor warning, causing the vehicle to enter LIMP Mode. The contact stated that during the failure, the smart brake feature, Adaptive Cruise Control, and other unknown ADS features ... Read more
POWER TRAIN Nov 4, 2025
Incident date: Oct 17, 2025
Vehicle suffering from Mazda TSB 05-005/23 Chirping noise from Transaxle on 3rd to 4th gear upshift. Vehicle diagnosed by dealership as needing new Transaxle on 17OCT25. Diagnosis stated issue started ~32k miles.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Nov 1, 2025
Incident date: Oct 31, 2025
THE SUNROOF EXPLODED NORMAL TEMPS in CHICAGO IL Halloween Hight 60 desgres on while driving on HWY
STRUCTURE Nov 1, 2025
Incident date: Oct 31, 2025
SUNROOF EXPLODING - 2020 Cx5 I've seen other reports on mazda forums happending on cx the sunroofs RANDOM normal temp in chicago IL on Halloween night
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Oct 1, 2025
Incident date: Mar 17, 2025
I purchased this vehicle as a used car from a dealership. On my way home, the infotainment panel began to shout at top volume that this is the volume that navigation would be set at. The volume was so loud that it was startling, and it continued on until I had to pull over. I contacted the dealer, b... Read more
POWER TRAIN Oct 1, 2025
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
The issue is iron is depositing in the transmission due to a bad torque converter, this is a known issue with mazda and it doesn't seem to be something they are willing to cover and many people are experiencing this especially with the cx5 models. It causes jerking and chirping noise, plus will even... Read more
POWER TRAIN Sep 30, 2025
Incident date: Sep 29, 2025
Driving about 20 to 35 mph accelerating I would get a distinctive one time chirp noise with a little bit of a stutter It happens every time I go about that speed accelerating. Thankfully my car was under pre-owned warranty but I have to get now. Three transmission flushes I have to pay $400 for and ... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Sep 27, 2025
Incident date: Oct 30, 2021
The ongoing “ghost touch” defect in Mazda infotainment systems is a serious safety hazard that should have triggered a recall. This issue affects vehicles from model years 2016 through 2023 and stems from a design flaw present from the beginning. While driving, the system can suddenly take contr... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Sep 25, 2025
Incident date: Sep 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while the cruise control was activated and driving 65 MPH in the middle lane of a busy six-lane highway, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle was suddenly stalled and coasted to a complete stop in the middle of the h... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL Sep 25, 2025
Incident date: Sep 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while the cruise control was activated and driving 65 MPH in the middle lane of a busy six-lane highway, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle was suddenly stalled and coasted to a complete stop in the middle of the h... Read more
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING Aug 27, 2025
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
While driving my vehicle the systems sensors are affected by nearby drivers which cause the car to stall in the middle of traffic going between 40 and 75 miles per hour.
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION Aug 27, 2025
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
While driving my vehicle the systems sensors are affected by nearby drivers which cause the car to stall in the middle of traffic going between 40 and 75 miles per hour.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS Aug 27, 2025
Incident date: Aug 27, 2025
While driving my vehicle the systems sensors are affected by nearby drivers which cause the car to stall in the middle of traffic going between 40 and 75 miles per hour.
AIR BAGS Aug 22, 2025
Incident date: Aug 14, 2025
While traveling on an Interstate highway, my passenger side curtain airbag suddenly deployed without any warning while I was driving. There was no collision or impact, there was no debris on the road, or any significant bumps in the road. There was a very loud explosive sound and then my entire p... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Aug 15, 2025
Incident date: Aug 2, 2025
Display screen (Infotainment system) will randomly change the settings of my vehicle and call people or change display features or volume control or directions that is distracting and dangerous to me as I drive.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Aug 1, 2025
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The infotainment screen in the vehicle suffers from Phantom/Ghost touching, rending a safety hazard as while following navigation it can act on it's own, becoming a large distraction.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Aug 1, 2025
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The infotainment screen in the vehicle suffers from Phantom/Ghost touching, rending a safety hazard as while following navigation it can act on it's own, becoming a large distraction.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jul 30, 2025
Incident date: Sep 1, 2021
Mazda has a known issue with their infotainment system and ghost touch. There was a recent lawsuit but ghost touch is not covered under the class action lawsuit. The screen will call people, change setting, and just click a bunch of things. This is extremely distracting when driving if I’m constan... Read more
ENGINE Jul 29, 2025
Incident date: Jul 24, 2025
I noticed an oil leak. I had it diagnosed and its a crack in the cylinder head, right above the exhaust manifold. This is known issue for Mazda's online. There is oil spilling everywhere. The oil burns off as it is driving. Smoke fills my car.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jul 28, 2025
Incident date: Jul 19, 2025
I own a 2020 Mazda CX-5 equipped with the Mazda Connect infotainment system. The touchscreen display malfunctions regularly by randomly selecting menu items, jumping between screens, zooming in and out, and activating functions without any input from me. These “phantom touch” events occur even w... Read more
POWER TRAIN Jul 21, 2025
Incident date: Jun 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked abnormally while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was notified by the ... Read more
ENGINE Jul 19, 2025
Incident date: Jun 23, 2025
Engine developed multiple oil leaks from oil seal and timing cover. The leaks could result in engine failure and endanger driver and/or passengers. No warning lights activated, was found at routine oil change. Defect was reported to manufacturer, but warranty had expired, and they refused accept ... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jul 1, 2025
Incident date: Jun 5, 2025
The display screen in my CX-5 has been regularly glitching for several years now. This "ghost touch" presses random buttons, makes random phone calls, turns volume up and down, exits applications, etc. This persists (both driving and parked) until I unplug my device, restart the screen, or restart t... Read more
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Jun 25, 2025
Incident date: Jun 25, 2025
The vehicle reboots the screen/infotainment system while driving. The dealership has updated the software and replaced the screen (Screen was at my cost). They reset the codes and it comes back. This is a safety hazard as it could cause non compliance with the FMVSS in regards to rear-view cameras b... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 24, 2025
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
*This is not part of the class action lawsuit* Per attorneys for the complaint, this issue is not part or covered by that lawsuit* This is concerning the infotainment system and what is known by Mazda as “ghosting”. Mazda for safety disables touch screen while car is out of park or driving. The ... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING Jun 20, 2025
Incident date: Aug 16, 2023
My car is experiencing extreme ghost screen. Also when this happens I get a lot of warning lights when nothing is truly experiencing fault. My screen will jump, change settings, reset settings,become dark on it own, not turn on at all, flip through the system causing major distractions. For instance... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 20, 2025
Incident date: Aug 16, 2023
My car is experiencing extreme ghost screen. Also when this happens I get a lot of warning lights when nothing is truly experiencing fault. My screen will jump, change settings, reset settings,become dark on it own, not turn on at all, flip through the system causing major distractions. For instance... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jun 5, 2025
Incident date: Jun 5, 2025
Forward Smart city brake support malfunction Camera Sensors Screen Ghost
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING Jun 5, 2025
Incident date: Jun 5, 2025
Forward Smart city brake support malfunction Camera Sensors Screen Ghost
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS Jun 5, 2025
Incident date: Jun 5, 2025
Forward Smart city brake support malfunction Camera Sensors Screen Ghost
ENGINE Jun 3, 2025
Incident date: May 29, 2025
Car “died” while idling at a traffic light. It started but would not start several hours later and car was towed to mechanic. Diagnostics “determined “after several days that car needed an ECM. ECM was ordered and replaced, along with the battery. This took several weeks, in the meantime, ... Read more
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Jun 3, 2025
Incident date: May 29, 2025
Car “died” while idling at a traffic light. It started but would not start several hours later and car was towed to mechanic. Diagnostics “determined “after several days that car needed an ECM. ECM was ordered and replaced, along with the battery. This took several weeks, in the meantime, ... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 3, 2025
Incident date: May 29, 2025
Car “died” while idling at a traffic light. It started but would not start several hours later and car was towed to mechanic. Diagnostics “determined “after several days that car needed an ECM. ECM was ordered and replaced, along with the battery. This took several weeks, in the meantime, ... Read more
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING May 20, 2025
Incident date: May 19, 2025
My car has started braking when objects arnt there almost causing a crash Mazda denies this
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS May 20, 2025
Incident date: May 19, 2025
My car has started braking when objects arnt there almost causing a crash Mazda denies this
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL May 20, 2025
Incident date: May 19, 2025
My car has started braking when objects arnt there almost causing a crash Mazda denies this
AIR BAGS May 20, 2025
Incident date: May 19, 2025
-Passenger side air bags deployed for no reason on May 19, 2025 at 1945h. -Driver safety compromised due to shock, momentary loss of hearing, disorientation while driving. -Other drivers safety compromised due to driver having to react, re-orient themselves and drive to safety. -Culver City Mazda de... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Apr 4, 2025
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated the infotainment Connect Center was unintendedly switching to different functions, with the volume increasing independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.... Read more
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:VIDEO (TOUCH)SCREEN/MONITOR/UNIT Apr 4, 2025
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated the infotainment Connect Center was unintendedly switching to different functions, with the volume increasing independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES Feb 27, 2025
Incident date: Feb 27, 2025
I bought this 2020 Mazda CX-5 Sport 2.5L all wheel drive from a big dealership on July 31, 2023. I started having issues with EPB (electronic parking brakes) in February 2024. When I put the e-brakes on, the yellow parking brake light and the red brake light would come on. Seems like they would enga... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Feb 27, 2025
Incident date: Feb 27, 2025
I bought this 2020 Mazda CX-5 Sport 2.5L all wheel drive from a big dealership on July 31, 2023. I started having issues with EPB (electronic parking brakes) in February 2024. When I put the e-brakes on, the yellow parking brake light and the red brake light would come on. Seems like they would enga... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Feb 19, 2025
Incident date: Feb 19, 2025
During snowfall, the front camera becomes obstructed, leading to a malfunction in the smart brake system. When this occurs, an alert appears indicating a “Smart Brake Failure,” accompanied by an audible warning and the illumination of the check engine light. The vehicle then exhibits unpredictab... Read more
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING Feb 19, 2025
Incident date: Feb 19, 2025
During snowfall, the front camera becomes obstructed, leading to a malfunction in the smart brake system. When this occurs, an alert appears indicating a “Smart Brake Failure,” accompanied by an audible warning and the illumination of the check engine light. The vehicle then exhibits unpredictab... Read more
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS Feb 19, 2025
Incident date: Feb 19, 2025
During snowfall, the front camera becomes obstructed, leading to a malfunction in the smart brake system. When this occurs, an alert appears indicating a “Smart Brake Failure,” accompanied by an audible warning and the illumination of the check engine light. The vehicle then exhibits unpredictab... Read more

Showing 50 of 141 complaints.

NHTSA Safety Ratings — 2020 MAZDA CX-5

2020 Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD

CategoryRating
Overall Rating 5 / 5 ★★★★★
Frontal Crash 5 / 5 ★★★★★
Frontal Crash — Driver 5 / 5 ★★★★★
Frontal Crash — Passenger 5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash 5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash — Driver 5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash — Passenger 5 / 5 ★★★★★
Rollover 4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Rollover Risk 16.9%

Safety Technology

FeatureStatus
Electronic Stability ControlStandard
Forward Collision WarningStandard
Lane Departure WarningStandard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings Program. Ratings are based on crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

MAZDA CX-5 — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the MAZDA CX-5 across all model years (2013–2019).

23 Total Recalls
3,051 Total Complaints
0 Investigations
202 Reported Crashes
29 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

MAZDA CX-5 — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2025 0 19 View
2024 0 48 View
2023 0 74 View
2022 0 71 View
2021 0 180 View
2020 (current) 0 141
2019 3 330 View
2018 4 439 View
2017 2 190 View
2016 5 607 View
2015 4 167 View
2014 4 492 View
2013 1 292 View
2012 0 1 View

Other MAZDA Models

Model Recalls Complaints
MAZDA6 98 2,911 View
TRIBUTE 65 2,831 View
B-SERIES TRUCK 65 888 View
MAZDA3 64 3,983 View
CX-9 59 1,796 View
626 54 3,892 View
MPV 44 1,157 View
RX-8 42 1,003 View