Mazda CX-5 Problems | Avoid These Model Years

By Max Anthony •  Updated: 11/24/20 •  7 min read

Mazda motor corporation is a multinational Japanese automaker. Their first vehicle was launched in 1960 In Japan. After that, it set into motion and launched numerous models that include Mazda 2, Mazda 3, Mazda 6, Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-9, Mazda MX-5, Mazda Laputa, and many more.

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All of them were designed with astonishing features and remarkable qualities. There is also a wide range of small SUVs. Mazda is one of the most selling cars around the globe. It has a huge market.

Besides these extraordinary attributes, there are some Mazda CX-5 problems . Some models lack a few aspects which need to be considered. Among these models, the Mazda CX-5 is reported with many complaints by carcomplains .

According to the survey, most common Mazda CX-5 problems are highlighted for example daytime running LED lights failure, the car does not properly shutdown, windshield of the car shatters with ease, windshield sometimes ruptures creating massive problems, brake wear issues, etc.

Let us analyze these common problems with Mazda CX-5 in detail as well as the worst model years to avoid.

Mazda CX-5 Problems

1. Daytime running LED lights failure

Mazda CX-5 Problems
2021 Mazda CX-5© carbuzz

Mazda CX-5 is the 19th most reliable model among 22 models of Mazda. It has got this amazing feature of DRL (daytime running lights). It is an automatically controlled system of lights placed at the front of the vehicle.it is of white, yellow or amber color light. It switches on when the handbrake of the car is pulled down.

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It helps other road users have an idea of the vehicle. Unfortunately, Mazda CX-5 recalls about 36,760 units of its 2016 model due to the failure of daytime running lights while in use. The DRL is the most compliant category of CX-5 with 41 complaints in total by owners. It is the worst problem rated 2016 model overall.

Few users also complain about blinker malfunctioning. Some buyers complaint that this is an attractive feature but it didn’t last long. It started blinking soon without warning and then it stopped working completely.

Mazda designed the daytime running light feature to be all in one. You just cannot simply replace a single led or bulb in the car as you can do in old vehicles. You have to spend approximately $1,000 to replace the whole system.

Usually, this feature supports the car for its entire life but in Mazda CX-5 it works for a few years or 36,000 miles. Many owners replace the car after 100,000 miles of the vehicle.

Mazda CX-5 Problems
2021 Mazda CX-5© carbuzz

After recalling many units, the company focused on the issue of daylight running lights that stop working. They figured out that the gasket they use is emitting Sulphur that corrodes the wiring of the bulbs, causing the bulb to flicker and malfunction. They fixed the issue and reimbursed the units. It also helps them in the installation of a perfect system in newer units.

2. Easy shattering of windshields

Mazda CX-5 Problems
Mazda CX 5 on display |istock

Windshields hold paramount importance when we are buying a car. The windshield should be strong enough to protect you from dangerous accidents. It should also act as a protecting component for drivers as well as passengers. Many owners of Mazda CX-5 2016 models are frustrated with the issue of windshield shattering with ease.

The debris on the road hitting the windshield puts scratches on it which can be easily seen from two feet distance or even more. In other vehicles, it only causes a simple dent or nick, but it is creating a serious problem in Mazda CX-5.

For repairing it, customers need to spend relatively more since the replacement of the entire windshield is mandatory in that condition. The drivers have to pay between $700-$1,200 because of the special sensors of lane centering attributes embedded in the windshield of Mazda CX-5.

3. Mazda CX-5 engine shut off

Mazda CX5 Problems
Mazda CX5 | Istock

Mazda CX-5 engine shuts off anytime without warning. This issue is most commonly noticed in the 2014 model. Owners complain that they push the parking button but the engine does not completely shut down.

The power remains on while the engine is turned off which frustrates the owner. Sometimes it took drivers 20 minutes to drive in the parking lot to completely shut down the car and fix the issue temporarily. This problem gets worse within a few months.

Many owners complain that after putting the vehicle in the parking position and pushing the start and stop button the car sounded like the vehicle is turned off.

Mazda CX-5 Problems
2021 Mazda CX-5 Engine © carbuzz

But the vehicle continuously beeps and many accessories stay engaged in the on position. They had to drive extra miles to shut down the car completely which affected their outings.

4. Premature brake wears

The premature brake wear failure is one of the most dangerous problems. This problem is also noticed in a few models that the brake pads do not properly work. Although the brakes of the car should be accurate since it can cause severe accidents.

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Moreover, the response time of the brakes of the car should be fast and the braking action needs to stop immediately when the brake pads are released.

However, in Mazda CX-5 sometimes brake pads do not recoil when the pad is released. Sadly, this is not the only problem with the brakes.

According to some customers, the parking brakes operate on their own and also cause the tires to freeze while driving. According to these customers, the sudden freezing of tires and malfunctioning of parking brakes are a serious threat to the drivers and passengers of the car.

Another customer wrote in his review that the brakes, especially of rear wheels, are getting hot and after a few miles of highway drive the rear tires start shaking.

When he got this problem checked the authorities told him that brakes are functioning properly yet again the same problem continued.

5. Interior Problems

Mazda CX5 problems
Mazda cx5 | Istock

Mazda CX-5 2016 has received certain complaints, 13 to be exact, regarding their interior. Most of the interior problems reported were of infotainment, entertainment, and information, nature.

Few users complained about the Bluetooth system not working properly while others reported difficulties dealing with the malfunctioned clock and digital radio missing/skipping certain channels. Some customers also reported that the infotainment system of the car won’t boot-up.

Despite all these drawbacks of Mazda CX-5, it has still performed well in the market. Mazda CX-5 has also been featured in several magazines due to the other amazing features it comprises.

Moreover, the newer units of Mazda CX-5 have advanced systems installed. Besides, Mazda CX-5 2021 supports sports mode and is one of the leading SUVs with a super turbocharged engine.

Mazda CX-5 Problems
2021 Mazda CX-5 Interior © carbuzz

The interior of Mazda CX-5 2021 has also been up scaled to match the level of the leading SUVs in the automobile industry. All these new upgrades overshadow the previous downside of the vehicle. It’s up to the buyers to decide for themselves whether the SUV would be suited for them or not with all the pros and cons given.

Mazda CX-5 Years To Avoid

Mazda has an entire lineup of impressive and reliable vehicles that range from coupes to crossover SUVs. The Mazda CX-5 hit dealerships in 2013, but not everything is sunshine for the model year. In fact there’s one particular version that makes us question if it’s a good SUV at all!

The Mazda CX-5 is a model of car that has only been around since 2013, and it seems to have had some problems from the beginning. According to CarComplaints.com‘s research on this vehicle, one year reigns supreme as being very problematic: 2016 was not such good luck for owners.

 Out of all years researched by CarComplaints in their comparison between models and makes, no other year received more complaints than this particular model did – making 2016 the worst overall out of them all.

When it comes to Mazda CX-5’s, the 2016 model has more owner complaints than any other year. It tops out at 130 total problems reported by owners, while 2014 and 2013 models are close behind with 94 and 56 respectively.

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Max Anthony

Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.