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Mazda CX-5.

The best Mazda CX-5 years are 2022, 2020, 2017. Years to avoid: 2016, 2014. Across 2013-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 73, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.

Reliability by year, 2013 to 2025.

73Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Better than average. Whole model, 2013-2022: 1.4× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2022 · Worst year 2016

Photo shows a 2017 Mazda CX-5. © M 93, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · background removed

Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.

2013502× fewer complaints 20141431.4× the complaints 2015791.3× fewer complaints 20162732.7× the complaints 2017352.9× fewer complaints 2018551.8× fewer complaints 2019392.6× fewer complaints 2020313.2× fewer complaints 2021671.5× fewer complaints 2022244.2× fewer complaints 202334early read · 2.9× fewer complaints 202437early read · 2.7× fewer complaints 202534early read · 2.9× fewer complaints

Best years to buy

2022.

2022244.2× fewer complaints than average 2020313.2× fewer complaints than average 2017352.9× fewer complaints than average

Years to avoid

2016.

20162732.7× the average car's complaints 20141431.4× the average car's complaints

Quick answers.

Is the Mazda CX-5 a good car?

Yes, it draws fewer complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2013-2022: Lemon Index 73; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2022 and the worst is 2016.

What are the best Mazda CX-5 years to buy?

By owner complaints per car sold: 2022, 2020, 2017.

What Mazda CX-5 years should you stay away from?

The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2016, 2014.

How many recalls does the Mazda CX-5 have?

20 safety recalls across the 13 model years we track. Most: 2016 (5), 2014 (4), 2015 (4). Each year's page lists them.

What are the most common Mazda CX-5 problems?

Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, brakes and lights most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.

Every year in one table

Year	Index	Compared with average	Complaints	Top complaint	Recalls	Crash test	MPG
2013	50	2× fewer complaints than average	77	transmission & drivetrain (27%)	1	★★★★☆	27–29
2014	143	1.4× the average car's complaints	171	wipers & visibility (31%)	4	★★★★★	26–29
2015	79	1.3× fewer complaints than average	86	body structure (28%)	4	★★★★★	26–29
2016	273	2.7× the average car's complaints	306	lights (36%)	5	★★★★☆	26–29
2017	35	2.9× fewer complaints than average	47	brakes (21%)	1	★★★★☆	26–27
2018	55	1.8× fewer complaints than average	84	engine (29%)	3	★★★★★	26–29
2019	39	2.6× fewer complaints than average	62	electrical (18%)	2	★★★★★	24–29
2020	31	3.2× fewer complaints than average	43	electrical (23%)	0	★★★★★	24–28
2021	67	1.5× fewer complaints than average	109	engine (61%)	0	★★★★★	24–28
2022	24	4.2× fewer complaints than average	44	engine (27%)	0	★★★★★	24–26
2023	34	2.9× fewer complaints than average	64	brakes (17%)	0	★★★★★	24–27
2024	37	2.7× fewer complaints than average	45	brakes (16%)	0	★★★★★	24–28
2025	34	2.9× fewer complaints than average	28	brakes (36%)	0	★★★★★	24–38

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works

Mazda CX-5 transmission problems by year →

Updated Nov 6, 2026

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data