VehicleVerdict

2015 Mazda CX-5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 sits mid-pack among CX-5 years: 167 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 167, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (27), transmission (19), and visibility & wipers (17), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

167

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other CX-5 years?

CX-5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 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, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CX-5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Mazda CX-5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure2716%
Transmission1911%
Visibility & Wipers1710%
Other1610%
Engine159%
Brakes148%
Speed Control127%
Electrical System95%
Fuel System74%
Tires & Wheels74%
Airbags53%
Seats53%
Suspension53%
Lighting32%
Driver Assistance21%
Steering21%
Seat Belts11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 2015 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.

WAS TURNING RIGHT ONTO SIDE CITY STREET TO PARK, WAS GOING MAYBE 2 MILES AN HOUR BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO PARK. THE CAR ENGINE SELF ACCELERATED AND I COULD NOT CONTROL IT, HIT A CHAIN LINK FENCE AND SHEARED OFF A NATURAL GAS METER TO A HOME. THE BREAK PEDAL DID NOT STOP THE CAR, I WAS IN DRIVE PUT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 26, 2020 · crash

I WAS PARKING MY MAZDA CX5 IN A SPOT AT A SHOPPING CENTER AND WHEN I TOUCHED THE BRAKE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT AND WENT TO SHIFT CAR INTO PARK, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FULL SPEED, MAKING A VROOM SOUND, JUMPING THE CURB AND SMASHING INTO A BRICK POST (LUCKILY I HIT THE POST AND NOT A PERSON!). I DON'T…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 26, 2018 · crash

CRACKED WINDSHIELD WE WERE FILLING UP GAS AT A GAS STATION & SUDDENLY WE HEARD A POP SOUND. I TRIED TO GO AROUND THE CAR & SEE WHAT HAPPENED BUT DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING. THE CAR WAS STILL PUMPING GAS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. NEXT DAY, THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE MORNING BUT AFTER PARKING AT WORK FOR COUPLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 29, 2015

I was near a red light and applied the brakes, but the car accelerated and ran into the truck stopped in front of me. This happened around May of 2024. I took the car to the Elk Grove Mazda dealer. They ran diagnostic and road tests but found nothing wrong. The car had the same problem again…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 1, 2024 · crash

WAS TURNING RIGHT ONTO SIDE CITY STREET TO PARK, WAS GOING MAYBE 2 MILES AN HOUR BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO PARK. THE CAR ENGINE SELF ACCELERATED AND I COULD NOT CONTROL IT, HIT A CHAIN LINK FENCE AND SHEARED OFF A NATURAL GAS METER TO A HOME. THE BREAK PEDAL DID NOT STOP THE CAR, I WAS IN DRIVE PUT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 26, 2020 · crash

2015 Mazda CX-5 — common questions

Is the 2015 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

It is close to typical for the CX-5: 167 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2015 CX-5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (27 complaints), transmission (19 complaints), visibility & wipers (17 complaints).

Does the 2015 Mazda CX-5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 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 2015 Mazda CX-5?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 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.