The Lemon Index
2009
20121st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 15,683 in the U.S. in 2010 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 21 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
21 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2010 Kia Sedona 262010 Chrysler Town & Country 1772010 Toyota Sienna 50
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 19 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 10V600000 (fuel system, other) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Mazda sent dealers 219 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing atf”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mazda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 21 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
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.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 30K miles (3K to 48K km) on the car (19 of all 21 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Mazda 5 premature tire wear on rear toyo tires. Tires are cupping. This problem has existed on Mazda5's since at least 2006 due to camber settings. This problem has been reported to the ntsb and on multiple web sites and to mazda.
2010 Mazda5 owner · NHTSA complaint 10456038
Fixes owners look up most.
From 185 YouTube videos · 5.4M views · 2006–2010 Mazda5
Most-watched topics
- Heat, A/C & blend door546K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2009 Mazda 5 | AQ1116Filterheads · 432K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical303K views
Mazda 5 Key Fob Battery Replacement 2006 - 2015 - EASY DIYKey Fob Rob · 268K views · 3 videos - Starter, alternator & belts94K views
2009 Mazda 5 serpentine belt replacement using zip tie!Photomikes Garage · 92K views · 2 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors85K views
2006 Mazda 5 intake manifold / PCV valve removal and installation pt.1Dadsautosideshop · 48K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Transmission & shifter73K views
2007 Mazda 5 Automatic transmission removal and installationCar MechaNick · 39K views · 4 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils66K views
Spark plug replacement Mazda 5 2.3L 2008 -2013 tune up Mazda5 Mazda3Fixing cars and stuff · 66K views - Steering & suspension33K views
HOW TO CHANGE CV AXLE ASSEMBLY 2006 MAZDA 5 (BONUS: HOW TO DIAGNOSE FAILING CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS)Everyday Projects · 19K views · 2 videos - Brakes & ABS22K views
Mazda 5 front brake replacement 2008-2011Carl’s Garage · 22K views
Before you buy, watch
Darn! 2009 Mazda 5 transmission problems returned after about 50 miles of driving. Fix failure!John Hermann · 197 viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2010 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 219 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing atf
- Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing ATF
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2010
MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 MAZDA5 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 29, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 28, 2010.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Every Mazda5 year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 5 Mazda5 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2010 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-mazda5/?y=2010" title="Mazda5 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mazda-mazda5/2010/">Lemon Index</a> (2010 Mazda5 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2010 Mazda5 reliable?
We can't score it: only 15,683 were sold in the U.S. in 2010 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 21 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2010 Mazda5 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (24%), airbags (14%) and transmission & drivetrain (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Mazda5 have?
1 safety recall (latest: fuel system, other). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2010 Mazda5 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
What Mazda5 year is better than the 2010?
Nearby, the 2012 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner 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 years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works