VehicleVerdict

2014 Mazda CX-5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 492 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.0 times the median CX-5 year — the 2014 model ranks #2 of 15 CX-5 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 144 reports (29% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

492

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2014 compare to other CX-5 years?

CX-5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted624 complaints2012: 1 complaints2013: 292 complaints2014: 492 complaints2015: 167 complaints2016: 624 complaints2017: 195 complaints2018: 469 complaints2019: 353 complaints2020: 152 complaints2021: 189 complaints2022: 83 complaints2023: 82 complaints2024: 61 complaints2025: 45 complaints2026: 16 complaints
CX-5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CX-5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Mazda CX-5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System14429%
Visibility & Wipers9018%
Other5812%
Transmission5010%
Engine398%
Body & Structure327%
Brakes235%
Speed Control92%
Airbags82%
Lighting82%
Fuel System71%
Steering71%
Suspension51%
Seats51%
Tires & Wheels31%
Latches & Locks31%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2014 Mazda CX-5 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V644000Body & StructureSeptember 6, 2016 · 580,455 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.

Consequence

If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.

16V203000SteeringApril 11, 2016 · 578 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.

Consequence

If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If the bolts are loose, they will be replaced and then correctly tightened, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9316D.

16V064000Fuel SystemFebruary 3, 2016 · 268,799 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5 vehicles manufactured June 27, 2013, to February 2, 2016. The affected vehicles have a fuel filler pipe that may rupture in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

Consequence

A rupture of the fuel filler pipe may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will alter the attachment between the fuel filler pipe and the left rear side of the bracket of the fuel filler pipe, free of charge. The recall began on February 25, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 9216B.

16E002000Visibility & WipersJanuary 19, 2016 · 193 units

Defect

Pilkington North America, Inc. (Pilkington) is recalling certain replacement windshields, model FW04026 GTY, manufactured November 23, 2015, to December 16, 2015 for use in Mazda CX-5 vehicles that are equipped with the Smart City Brake Support system. The affected windshields have a bracket mounted on the inside to hold a laser sensor or LIDAR device for the Smart City Brake Support system. These brackets were improperly affixed with only tape instead of tape and urethane and therefore may loosen.

Consequence

If the bracket loosens or detaches from the windshield, the safety features of the Smart City Brake Support system may be disabled and therefore increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Pilkington will contact the wholesalers and retailers that purchased the windshields to try to identify the affected customers. The affected windshields will be replaced, free of charge. This recall began on February 15, 2016. Owners may contact Pilkington at 1-844-278-7230.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“IMPACT WAS ON THE MAZDA DRIVER'S SIDE IN FRONT OF THE WHEEL AND INTO THE CAR- MADE A LEFT HAND TURN DID NOT SEE THE APPROACHING VEHICLE TRAVELING 50 MPH AND HIT THE REAR OF VEHICLE. THAT VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND INTO THE SNOWBANK OVER 4 LANES. AIRBAGS IN THE MAZDA DID NOT DEPLOY. CONCERNED AS THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 26, 2014 · crash

“TWO DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING BY 2014 CX 5 AND HEARD A PEBBLE HIT THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, I CHECKED THE WINDSHIELD AND SAW NO CHIP, NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE. YESTERDAY MORNING WHEN I LEFT THE HOUSE TO GO TO WORK THERE WAS A TWO FOOT LONG CRACK ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. NEEDLESS TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · September 17, 2014

“IMPACT WAS ON THE MAZDA DRIVER'S SIDE IN FRONT OF THE WHEEL AND INTO THE CAR- MADE A LEFT HAND TURN DID NOT SEE THE APPROACHING VEHICLE TRAVELING 50 MPH AND HIT THE REAR OF VEHICLE. THAT VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND INTO THE SNOWBANK OVER 4 LANES. AIRBAGS IN THE MAZDA DID NOT DEPLOY. CONCERNED AS THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 26, 2014 · crash

“I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH UP A SLIGHT INCLINE WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND STARTED SHAKING. THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, TIRE MONITORING, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. THE ENGINE DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER EVEN WHEN I PRESSED ALL THE WAY ON THE ACCELERATOR I COULDN'T GET IT TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 1, 2016

“THE CAR WILL NOT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. WHEN PARKING THE PUSH BUTTON ON/OFF SWITCH IS PRESSED. THE CAR ENGINE SHUTS OFF BUT POWER IS STILL TURNED ON. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY. IT HAS TAKEN AS MUCH AS 20 MINS OF DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT TO TRY AND GET THE CAR TO SHUT OFF. FIRST NOTICED IN JUNE, IT IS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 6, 2017

2014 Mazda CX-5 — common questions

Is the 2014 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 492 complaints put the 2014 model at #2 of 15 CX-5 years. It is one of the CX-5 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2014 CX-5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (144 complaints), visibility & wipers (90 complaints), other (58 complaints).

Does the 2014 Mazda CX-5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Mazda CX-5. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mazda CX-5 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CX-5 years to avoid are 2016, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2013. The cleanest record among CX-5 years belongs to 2012.

How safe is the 2014 Mazda CX-5?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 Mazda CX-5 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.