2019 Mazda CX-5.
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 62 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 39, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 24 to 29 mpg combined. The best Mazda CX-5 year is 2022.

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 271 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Mazda CX-5 year. 2019 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 38K miles on the car (43 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 2
- fuel system, gasoline 2021
The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
- engine 2019
A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 561 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Condition where DTC U0323(PCM) / U0423(ABS) /U3000(IC)
- Some customers may report a slight clunk/bang/buzz noise or jolt from the front of the vehicle
- Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety

Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2300–3350 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
All lights and gauges turn off and disable, including: apple car play, navigation, audio, air conditioning, bluetooth, sensors, and all gages in the dash--
2019 Mazda CX-5 owner · NHTSA complaint 11254773
More owner reports
Vehicle having significant drop in power output in 1st and 2nd gear when ambient temperatures below freezing. Issue resolves when finally shifting to 3rd gear, but lack of predictable response when merging is unsettling.
NHTSA complaint 11397986
Quick answers
Is the 2019 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 39; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mazda CX-5 year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2019 Mazda CX-5 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (18%), engine (16%) and speed control (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 Mazda CX-5 have?
2 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Mazda CX-5 get?
24 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2019 Mazda CX-5 safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2019 Mazda CX-5 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 2,500 and 38,000 miles. The middle report was at 17,000 miles, from 43 complaints.
Does the 2019 Mazda CX-5 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2019 Mazda CX-5 cost in fuel a year?
About $2300 to $3350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 Mazda CX-5 have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Mazda CX-5 year is better than the 2019?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2020 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works