Last updated: 2026-10-10
Mazda CX-5 Reliability by Year
Mazda CX-5 repair costs run below the midsize SUV average, and most model years rate excellent. The 2018 engine is the one to watch.
Mazda CX-5 Reliability Overview
Excellent reliability puts this compact SUV well above other SUVs, and 2022 is the best used buy, with few complaints and no recalls. Skip 2018, where cracked cylinder heads leak oil onto the exhaust and cause burning smells, smoke, and fumes in the cabin. Touchscreen ghost touch is the most common electrical complaint across years.
Current generation: 3rd gen (2026–present).
Best & Worst Mazda CX-5 Years
Best Mazda CX-5 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2022 year has 50 owner complaints and no recalls, against 310 complaints and 3 recalls for 2018. Its top complaint is humming headlight cooling fans, not engine failure, though out-of-warranty headlight quotes run $2,500 or more per side. It has also been on the road long enough to show its real pattern.
Mazda CX-5 Years to Avoid
Engine trouble drives most of the 310 complaints. Cracked or porous cylinder heads let oil leak onto the exhaust, causing a burning smell, smoke, and fumes in the cabin, sometimes with no warning light until oil ran low. Repairs run near $6,000, and dealers often decline goodwill help. The year also carries 3 recalls.
Mazda CX-5 Reliability Score Trend
Mazda CX-5 reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 86/100 compared to 79/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 86/100 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 83/100 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 87/100 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 81/100 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 84/100 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 82/100 | Excellent |
| 2026 | 94/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Mazda CX-5
0 recalls · 0 complaints
First year of the third generation, with no complaints or recalls filed yet, so its top standing rests on little time on the road.
2025 Mazda CX-5
3 recalls · 25 complaints
Excellent standing and low repair costs, with owner reports of a transmission that will not engage Drive after reversing and a few seat burn filings.
2024 Mazda CX-5
1 recalls · 53 complaints
Same excellent standing as its neighbors with far fewer complaints than 2023, though owners report rollaways in Park and early battery failures.
2023 Mazda CX-5
2 recalls · 96 complaints
Rates excellent but sits among the weaker CX-5 years, with brake complaints and two recalls where 2022 had none.
2022 Mazda CX-5
0 recalls · 50 complaints
Facelift year with no recalls and a strong standing, but headlight cooling fan failures and a few serious transmission complaints set it apart.
2021 Mazda CX-5
0 recalls · 129 complaints
Excellent standing with no federal recalls, but owners report oil running low between changes, and the 2020 and 2022 model years both rate better.
2020 Mazda CX-5
0 recalls · 94 complaints
Excellent standing with no recalls, ahead of the 2019 and 2021 years, though the screen glitches and early transmission chirp are the weak spots.
2019 Mazda CX-5
2 recalls · 229 complaints
Cracked cylinder heads and ghost-touch screens make this year weaker than the 2020, which has fewer complaints and no recalls.
2018 Mazda CX-5
3 recalls · 310 complaints
The weakest of the nine scored years, held back by cracked cylinder heads that leak oil, though it still earns a good standing.
Found Your Mazda CX-5? Check Its History
Power train (4) problems come up most in Mazda CX-5 owner complaints, and 11 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 CX-5 Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
4.5/5
Annual Repair Cost
$447
Repair Frequency
0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk
8%
$126 below the midsize SUVs average of $573/yr.
Ranked #1 of 26 among midsize SUVs.
Mazda CX-5 Resale Value
The Mazda CX-5 is estimated to retain about 70.4% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 70.4%
- Depreciation
- 29.6%
- Listings Analyzed
- 720
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore Mazda CX-5 depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comMazda CX-5 Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Mazda Models
Compare all Mazda models by reliability
Compare Mazda CX-5 With Similar SUVs
The Mazda CX-5 competes with other compact suvs such as GMC Terrain, Toyota RAV4, and Kia Sportage.
CX-5 vs GMC Terrain
9 years tracked · 675 complaints
CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4
8 years tracked · 2734 complaints
CX-5 vs Kia Sportage
9 years tracked · 810 complaints
CX-5 vs Subaru Forester
9 years tracked · 2301 complaints
CX-5 vs Volkswagen Tiguan
9 years tracked · 968 complaints
More Mazda CX-5 comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best Mazda CX-5 year to buy used?
- The 2022 model year is the best pick. It has no recalls, a low complaint rate, and enough time on the road to show its problems. The 2026 year also rates high, but it has no complaints filed yet, which mostly reflects how new it is.
- Is the Mazda CX-5 reliable long term?
- Yes, reliability is excellent and well above average for SUVs. The main long-term risk is the engine in early cars, where cracked cylinder heads have failed at roughly 31,000 to 64,770 miles. Later years show far fewer complaints.
- What are the most common Mazda CX-5 problems?
- Engine complaints lead, mainly cracked cylinder heads that leak oil onto the exhaust and cause smoke and burning smells. Next is the electrical system, where touchscreen ghost touch changes stations, makes calls, and sometimes blanks the backup camera. Brake complaints center on Smart City Brake Support false stops.
- How much does the Mazda CX-5 cost to maintain and repair?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair cost at $447. The average for midsize SUVs is $573. A cylinder head repair is the big exception, with reported bills near $6,000 and quotes up to $7,500.
- Does the Mazda CX-5 have brake problems?
- Some owners report them. Smart City Brake Support false alarms can slam the car to a stop when traffic ahead is turning away or the driver is already braking. Rear calipers that stick or seize also cause grinding, hot rotors, and fast pad wear.
How we score the Mazda CX-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.
Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Mazda CX-5.
No spam. Only data updates for this model.
See incorrect data? Report an issue