Last updated: 2026-10-10
Mazda 5 Reliability by Year
Mazda 5 repair costs run a bit above the compact average, and early years have a costly engine flaw. See what breaks and which year to buy.
Mazda 5 Reliability Overview
Cracked cylinder heads in the 2018 and 2019 are the big risk. They leak oil, often with no warning light, and owners report bills of almost $6,000. Reliability is good and above average among sedans, and the 2022 is the year to favor, with a single recall. Its main complaints are a whining headlight fan and airbag warning messages.
Best & Worst Mazda 5 Years
Best Mazda 5 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2022 is rated excellent and has just one recall, against ten for 2018 and twelve for 2019. Its complaints are far fewer, and engine trouble is not among its top areas. Owners instead report a noisy headlight fan, airbag warnings, and batteries that die after sitting.
Mazda 5 Years to Avoid
Cracked cylinder heads again lead the list, with heavy oil leaks, smoke, and often no warning light, mostly between about 30,000 and 80,000 miles. Dealers quote more than $5,000. Power train complaints add early automatic transmission failures and parked cars rolling away, with two owners reported injured.
Mazda 5 Reliability Score Trend
Mazda 5 reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 80/100 compared to 74/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 83/100 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 88/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Mazda 5
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Top-ranked of nine scored Mazda 5 years, with no complaints or recalls so far, though its short time on the road explains part of that.
2025 Mazda 5
5 recalls · 42 complaints
Rates good but sits among the weaker of nine Mazda 5 years, with early front CV axle failures and five recalls.
2024 Mazda 5
5 recalls · 70 complaints
A middle-ranked year with good reliability, marked by false collision warnings and electrical complaints, plus five recalls, more than the 2023 model year had.
2023 Mazda 5
3 recalls · 68 complaints
A middle-ranked year with good reliability, held back by false emergency braking and manual transmission complaints, and rated below the 2022.
2022 Mazda 5
1 recalls · 79 complaints
Excellent standing with one recall, against three each for 2021 and 2023, though headlight fan noise and air bag warnings lead its complaints.
2021 Mazda 5
3 recalls · 180 complaints
Strong standing among Mazda 5 years, held back by oil consumption and rear differential failures reported before 26,000 miles.
2020 Mazda 5
5 recalls · 127 complaints
Middle of the pack among Mazda 5 years, with five recalls and touchscreen and false-braking complaints, but far fewer complaints than the 2019.
2019 Mazda 5
12 recalls · 325 complaints
Weakest of the nine scored years, with cracked cylinder heads, early transmission failures and 12 recalls, though still above average among 2019 sedans.
2018 Mazda 5
10 recalls · 423 complaints
Good overall and above average for 2018 sedans, yet among the weaker Mazda 5 years because of cracked cylinder heads and a long recall list.
Found Your Mazda 5? Check Its History
Power train (8) problems come up most in Mazda 5 owner complaints, and 44 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Mazda 5 Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
4/5
Annual Repair Cost
$581
Repair Frequency
0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk
10%
$55 above the compact cars average of $526/yr.
Ranked #22 of 36 among compact cars.
Mazda 5 Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Mazda Models
Compare all Mazda models by reliability
Compare Mazda 5 With Similar Sedans
The Mazda 5 competes with other compact sedans such as Mazda 3, Subaru Impreza, and Volkswagen Jetta.
5 vs Mazda 3
8 years tracked · 217 complaints
5 vs Subaru Impreza
9 years tracked · 470 complaints
5 vs Volkswagen Jetta
9 years tracked · 760 complaints
5 vs Toyota Prius
9 years tracked · 214 complaints
5 vs BMW 2 Series
9 years tracked · 560 complaints
More Mazda 5 comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for the Mazda 5?
- The 2022 is the best pick. It is rated excellent, has only one recall, and has a modest complaint count for a car that has been on the road a few years. The 2026 also rates well, but it is too new to judge.
- Is the Mazda 5 reliable long term?
- Yes, with a caveat for the early years. Reliability is good and ranks above average among sedans. The weak spot is the engine in 2018 and 2019, where cracked cylinder heads leak oil, often between about 30,000 and 80,000 miles. Later years show fewer engine complaints.
- What are the most common Mazda 5 problems?
- Engine complaints are the most common, led by cracked cylinder heads that leak oil with no warning light. Next come electrical faults, mainly a touchscreen that registers phantom touches, and backup camera glitches. Power train faults and sticking rear brake calipers follow.
- How much does it cost to repair a Mazda 5?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair cost at $581. That is a bit above the $526 average for compact cars. A cylinder head replacement is the big risk, with owners reporting bills of almost $6,000.
- Does the Mazda 5 have brake problems?
- Yes, some. Rear calipers stick or seize, which overheats the rotors and wears out pads early. Owners report badly worn rear brakes between about 13,200 and 40,000 miles while the fronts still look fine. The electric parking brake also draws complaints.
How we score the Mazda 5
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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