Last updated: 2026-10-10
2025 Mazda CX-5 Reliability Report
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 has an excellent reliability standing, but owners report the transmission failing to engage Drive after reversing.
Recalls
3
Complaints
25
Complaint Rate
1.8per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$447
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,150–$2,500
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
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.
Top Issues to Watch
- POWER TRAIN (4)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)
- STRUCTURE (3)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2025 is the last model year of the Second generation (KF; 2016).
- Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
- 3 years after the last refresh (2022).
- 2nd generation CX-5 (US).
What this means for buyers
Final-year models are usually the most polished version of a generation, but resale value may dip as buyers anticipate the next redesign.
2017: Second generation (KF; 2016) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2022: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
2025: This Model Year
2025 is the last model year of the Second generation (KF; 2016).
Should You Buy the 2025 Mazda CX-5?
Buyers can treat this as a solid used pick. Reliability standing is excellent, well above other 2025 SUVs, and in the middle of the nine scored CX-5 years. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at $447 for the model, against $573 for its class. The 2024 rates about the same. The 2026 rates better, but it has no complaints on file yet, so that gap mostly reflects time on the road.
The main complaint is the transmission failing to engage Drive after reversing. The car sits as if in neutral or rolls backward with no warning light, and restarting the engine is the only fix owners describe. One crash report involves a car rolling with the shifter in D and the engine off. Two seat filings involve burns or fire, one with an emergency room visit. Some filings name a CX-50, so not every report is certain to be a CX-5.
Check the VIN for completed recalls in the suspension, engine cooling, electrical and air bag areas. On a test drive, shift from reverse to Drive several times.
Compared to the 2026 Mazda CX-5, which scored 12 points higher. See also the 2024 Mazda CX-5 for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Strong reliability score
- +$126 cheaper to maintain than avg midsize SUVs
- +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- +Low major repair risk (8%)
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- −Moderate recall count
- −POWER TRAIN: Transmission fails to engage Drive after reversing (4 complaints)
Compare 2025 Mazda CX-5 With
2025 GMC Terrain
Reliability: 78/100
2025 Toyota RAV4
Reliability: 84/100
2025 Kia Sportage
Reliability: 82/100
2025 Subaru Forester
Reliability: 79/100
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
Reliability: 73/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 3 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- POWER TRAIN (4)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3)
Recall Overview
3
recalls on record
A moderate 3 recalls are on file for the 2025 Mazda CX-5. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
1.8
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 3.5
Safety Incidents
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2025 Mazda CX-5 Recall Details
3 recalls have been issued for the 2025 Mazda CX-5. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
SUSPENSION
Mazda North American Operations is recalling certain 2025 CX-50 and CX-50 Hybrid vehicles. The front suspension fastener bolts may not be tightened properly, which can result in suspension component and/or wheel detachment.
Consequence
Wheel or suspension component detachment can cause a loss of vehicle control and a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the front suspension fastener bolts and, if necessary, replace and tighten them, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 10, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. The manufacturer's number for this recall is 7925J. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 3, 2025.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2025 CX-50 Hybrid vehicles. The transmission gear shifter can be moved from Neutral to Drive without pressing the brake pedal.
Consequence
Shifting into gear without the brake pedal depressed can result in unexpected vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the Engine Control Module (ECM) and reprogram the Hybrid Control Unit (HCU) and Power Control Unit (PCU), free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the remedy becomes available, anticipated late summer 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. The manufacturer's number for this recall is 7725F.
AIR BAGS
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain CX-50 Hybrid and CX-50 vehicles. Incorrectly configured module software may cause the air bag to deploy improperly.
Consequence
An air bag that deploys improperly increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the module software, free of charge. Owner notifications will not be mailed due to all vehicles being under Mazda dealer control. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. The manufacturer's number for this recall is 7625F.
Buying a used 2025 Mazda CX-5? Check its history first
Power train problems lead owner complaints about the 2025 Mazda CX-5, and 3 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2025 Mazda CX-5 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 16.9%
Safety Technologies
HEV Powertrain
Safety Technologies
Mazda CX-5Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4.5Maintenance rating: 4.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$447
vs $573 avg for midsize SUVs
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.3
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
8%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
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.
This benchmark covers the Mazda CX-5 model overall and is not specific to the 2025 model year.
- 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.comMPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
24–28 MPG
Running cost: $2,600–$2,950/yr
Fuel + repair
22–26 city / 27–31 hwy MPG
Hybrid
38 MPG
Running cost: $2,050/yr
Fuel + repair
39 city / 37 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2025 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-5 4WD 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 26 | 30 | 28 | $2,150 |
| CX-50 4WD 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 25 | 31 | 28 | $2,150 |
| CX-5 4WD 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 23 | 29 | 25 | $2,400 |
| CX-50 4WD 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 23 | 29 | 25 | $2,400 |
| CX-5 4WD 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 22 | 27 | 24 | $2,500 |
Hybrid trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-50 4WD 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 39 | 37 | 38 | $1,600 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2025 Mazda CX-5.
Back out of a parking space, shift to Drive, and confirm the car moves forward right away without rolling back.
Park on a slight slope in D, switch off the engine, and check whether the car rolls.
Make slow full-lock turns both ways and listen for clunking from the front axles.
Use adaptive cruise on a highway with curves and watch for sudden braking or sharp speed drops.
Drive past cars in the passenger-side blind spot and confirm the monitor lights up every time.
Inspect the windshield, rear hatch glass and sunroof for cracks, feeling the inside surface too.
Run both heated seats on high for several minutes and check for hot spots or a burning smell.
Hold 65 mph or faster and check whether the driver side mirror vibrates enough to blur the view.
2025 Mazda CX-5 Common Problems by Component
25 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
POWER TRAIN
4 complaintsSafety-relatedThe transmission fails to engage Drive after reversing. The vehicle sits as if in neutral or keeps rolling backward, with no warning lights. Restarting the engine, sometimes several times, is the only fix described. One of these reports names a CX-50. A crash report describes the car rolling freely with the shifter in D and the engine off, and the open door struck a garage frame. Front-end clunking during turns also appears. A dealer traced it to internal front axle damage, and parts were back-ordered for months.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 complaintsGlass breaks with no sign of impact. Reports describe a windshield crack that can be felt only from the inside on a garaged car at 1,892 miles, a rear hatch window that shatters overnight while parked, and a sunroof that bursts with a loud bang at highway speed and leaves glass shards above the slider. None of the reports identify a cause. Glass breaking at speed is a hazard for the people inside and for the cars behind.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 complaintsWarning lights fill the dash and the car will not start or drive. Reports list parking brake, ABS, stability control, blind spot, keyless entry and airbag faults all at once. One adds a hybrid system malfunction message on a vehicle described as a CX-50. Dealers either found nothing wrong or asked owners to come back if it happens again. Separately, the passenger-side blind spot monitor detects vehicles inconsistently and misses some entirely, with no warning light. A dealer could replicate that fault but not repair it, at about 4,200 miles.
STRUCTURE (3 complaints)
STRUCTURE
3 complaintsThe driver side mirror vibrates above 65 mph, worse in wind, and blurs the view of traffic behind. A replacement mirror assembly did not cure it, and the response was that this is common on the CX-5. Other filings cite a dent in the rear bumper that a dealer said fell outside an existing service action, plus a front passenger door that scrapes the inner fender. That last report describes a CX-50 hybrid and also mentions a rough idle lasting about 40 seconds after a start.
SERVICE BRAKES (2 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaintsThe car surges forward while the brake pedal is pressed, usually in stop-and-go lines at stop signs, and moves several feet toward the car ahead. One driver reports it several times within 1,800 miles, with near collisions. Adaptive cruise control also brakes suddenly and hard in some corners, with no warning, which raises the risk of a rear-end crash with traffic behind. Neither report describes a dealer repair.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2 complaints)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 complaintsCruise control cuts speed sharply on the highway with nothing ahead, in one case from 75 to 30 mph. The driver reports this happening repeatedly. False forward collision alarms also sound on an empty road. Another filing describes trembling at idle and erratic behavior during hard stops, and refers to Mazda software recalls for loss of drive power without confirming a link. In the dealer visit described, the shop performed routine maintenance and did not address the complaint.
SEATS (2 complaints)
SEATS
2 complaintsFront seats overheat and burn. One filing reports blistered thighs and an emergency room visit for burns described as second or third degree after on-and-off heated seat use on a long trip. Another describes a fire that started inside a front seat and charred the material within weeks of purchase, on a vehicle identified as a CX-50 hybrid. These are only two filings, but both involve burns or fire inside the cabin.
VISIBILITY (1 complaints)
VISIBILITY
1 complaintThe windshield on our new 2025 Mazda CX-5 is defective. Objects viewed through the windshield are distorted, to include the Active Driver’s Display (colloquially known as the HUD). Drivers and passengers are impeded from clearly seeing and focusing on objects visible throughout the front of the vehicle. Objects to include road signs are distorted, lose clarity which result in unnecessary and dangerous distractions. This problem significantly degrades the vehicle’s usability, safety and ultimate enjoyment.
LANE DEPARTURE (1 complaints)
LANE DEPARTURE
1 complaintI get an error that rear side radar obsured, I activsense temporarily disabled almost everytime I drive at freeway speeds. It disables the blind spot monitoring making the vehicle less safe. It disables for long periods of time in all conditions. Took to Mazda and they indicated it’s an issue, but no solution.
SUSPENSION (1 complaints)
SUSPENSION
1 complaintI am reporting a potential safety-related defect involving premature axle failure on Mazda CX-50 vehicles. The axle appears to be prone to early failure under normal driving conditions, sometimes at relatively low mileage. There are multiple reports from other Mazda CX-50 owners describing similar axle or CV axle failures, including clicking noises, vibration, loss of power to the wheels, and complete axle failure. These reports are publicly documented on online owner forums and Reddit, suggesting a pattern rather than isolated incidents. Axle failure can result in sudden loss of propulsion and may increase the risk of a crash, especially at highway speeds or during turns. This appears to be a design or durability issue rather than normal wear and tear. I am concerned this defect affects multiple vehicles and warrants investigation and a potential recall before more failures occur.
Best & Worst Mazda CX-5 Years
Best Mazda CX-5 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreMazda CX-5 Years to Avoid
Mazda CX-5 Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| 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 |
Mazda CX-5 Reliability Compared to Other Years
| Year | Score | vs Prior Year | Rating | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 94/100 | +12 | Excellent | 0 | 0 |
| 2025(selected) | 82/100 | -2 | Excellent | 3 | 25 |
| 2024 | 84/100 | +3 | Excellent | 1 | 53 |
| 2023 | 81/100 | -6 | Excellent | 2 | 96 |
| 2022 | 87/100 | +4 | Excellent | 0 | 50 |
| 2021 | 83/100 | -3 | Excellent | 0 | 129 |
| 2020 | 86/100 | +11 | Excellent | 0 | 94 |
| 2019 | 75/100 | +4 | Good | 2 | 229 |
| 2018 | 71/100 | — | Good | 3 | 310 |
2025 Mazda CX-5 Reliability by Powertrain
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 is available with 2powertrain options. Here's how they compare on reliability.
| Powertrain | Complaints | Recalls | Incidents* | Crash Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | 25 | 3 | 1 | 5 out of 5 |
| HEV | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 out of 5 |
| Total | 25 | 3 | 1 |
NHTSA tracks complaints by vehicle configuration when that detail is available. Model-level reports that do not identify a specific powertrain are included in Total but not assigned to a row. A plus sign indicates a confirmed minimum; — means no complaints could be attributed to that specific powertrain. N/T = Not tested by NHTSA.
* Incidents = crash + fire reports. A single complaint can include multiple incident types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2025 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2025 Mazda CX-5?
Does the 2025 Mazda CX-5 have transmission problems?
Has the 2025 Mazda CX-5 been recalled?
Is the 2025 Mazda CX-5 better than the 2024?
Don’t buy a 2025 Mazda CX-5 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2025 Mazda CX-5
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2025 Mazda CX-5 does best on repair costs (90/100) and worst on recall impact (75/100). 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.
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