2021 Mazda CX-5: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 143 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (49% of complaints); the 2022 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 7 new complaints in the last 90 days
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 143 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While driving in the Interstate, a truck swerved towards my lane; I swerved into the next lane to avoid the truck hitting me and when I began to swerve my Lane Departure warning malfunctioned and caused my car to completely shut down. I immediately put my hazard lights on to hopefully avoid being hit; but, a car behind plowed right into my rear end. The police were onsite at the accident. My vehicle has been inspected by an independent service center and my insurance representative.”Owner report · Lane Departure · Jul 2026
“I was sitting at a traffic light with my foot on the brake waiting to turn left onto Lee Highway from Fairfax County Parkway. Car jerked forward TWO times in a row, both times hitting the car in front of me. Our lane was at a dead stop waiting for the left hand arrow. The cars to the right of us had the green and were moving forward. I felt like I had no control over the car during this time.”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Jul 2026
“My CX-5 has 25,000 miles and recently the a/c failed culminating in a distinct chemical smell in the cabin. The issue was identified as a leaking/failed evaporator which apparently is located behind the dashboard and in turn "dump" the leaking refrigerant into the cabin! The total cost of repair due to the location of the evaporator is between $3000-$4500 in my area, seems a high cost to be poisoned by a vehicle that only has 25,000 miles on the clock!”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2026
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“The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on the interstate and changing lanes, the blind spot warning light was inoperable. The contact stated that the blind spot indicator then became operable. An independent mechanic was notified of the failure and stated that the repair was not covered. The local dealer was contacted, where a prior unknown diagnostic test was completed; however, the blind spot failure had not been addressed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.”Owner report · Lane Departure · Jun 2026
“My 2021 Mazda CXâ'5 is experiencing excessive oil consumption. The vehicle is burning oil between regular oil changes, and the oil level drops noticeably before the recommended service interval. I have noticed a burning smell and/or signs of oil loss without visible leaks. This raises concerns about potential engine damage, stalling, or fire risk while driving. The issue has occurred repeatedly and does not seem normal for a vehicle of this age and mileage. I am filing this complaint because this may indicate a defect affecting engine safety and reliability.”Owner report · Engine · May 2026
“2021 Mazda CXâ'5 (VIN: [XXX] ). First lowâ'oil warning at 17,800 miles. ([XXX]) Mazda dealership in La Crosse, WI performed an oil change and fully refilled the oil. Second lowâ'oil warning at 18,700 miles - only 900 miles later. ([XXX]) This indicates rapid, abnormal oil loss consistent with the known valveâ'stemâ'seal defect for this model year. Sudden lowâ'oil conditions pose a safety risk due to potential engine damage or failure. Requesting NHTSA document this issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Engine · May 2026
“The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was advised by the dealer to continue adding oil to the engine as needed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,465.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2026
“I was entering a traffic circle when i slid slightly as there was some ice on the roadway and came to rest against a curb, bumped lightly. There was no damage to the vehicle, but the entire driver side curtain airbags as well as the driver seat airbag deployed. The speed at which I was traveling was roughly 10 mph or less. My wheels never hit hard nor did they leave the pavement.”Owner report · Lane Departure · Dec 2025
“LOW ENGINE OIL LEVEL light on about 1000 miles from last oil changed. Dealer fixed the Mazda recall code: P250F on July 30, 2025. Now is same issue of LOW ENGINE OIL LEVEL light on again on November 19, 2025.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2025
“Radio audio randomly stopped working and you have to disconnect the negative or you have to leave the car off essentially all night. It's definitely unknown issue there's videos all over YouTube about it and there's forms on read about it.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2021 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact CX-5 by VIN
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Is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
NHTSA has 143 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2021 Mazda CX-5. The most complained-about area is engine (49% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2021 Mazda CX-5 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 34,450 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.