The Mazda CX-50 spans 2023–2026 with 7 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2023, 2025, 2024 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2026, 2024, 2025. It delivers up to 38 mpg combined and 5-star NHTSA safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Mazda CX-50 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2023 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Mazda CX-50 VIN — every digit explained
Every Mazda CX-50 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Mazda and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this CX-50.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Model-year code (10th digit)
The 10th character is the model year. It cycles through letters and numbers, skipping I, O, Q, U, Z and 0 to avoid confusion:
Where to find your CX-50 VIN
- Dashboard — driver's side, visible through the windshield from outside.
- Driver's door jamb — on the manufacturer sticker when you open the door.
- Paperwork — vehicle registration, title and insurance card.
- Engine bay & frame — stamped on the firewall or chassis on many models.
How many recalls does the Mazda CX-50 have?
The Mazda CX-50 has 7 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2023–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2025 Mazda CX-50 recalls 4
Suspension:critical Fasteners
What's wrong. Mazda North American Operations is recalling certain 2025 CX-50 and CX-50 Hybrid vehicles. The front suspension fastener bolts may not be tightened properly, which can result in suspension component and/or wheel detachment.
Risk. Wheel or suspension component detachment can cause a loss of vehicle control and a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will inspect the front suspension fastener bolts and, if necessary, replace and tighten them, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 10, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. The manufacturer's number for this recall is 7925J. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 3, 2025.
Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module:software
What's wrong. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain CX-50 Hybrid and CX-50 vehicles. Incorrectly configured module software may cause the air bag to deploy improperly.
Risk. An air bag that deploys improperly increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the module software, free of charge. Owner notifications will not be mailed due to all vehicles being under Mazda dealer control. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. The manufacturer's number for this recall is 7625F.
Trailer Hitches
What's wrong. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 CX-50 vehicles equipped with Mazda Genuine Accessory trailer hitches. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may loosen and cause the assembly to separate from the vehicle body during towing or normal driving conditions.
Risk. A detached trailer hitch assembly can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will tighten the trailer hitch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Mazda's number for this recall is 7225C.
Lane Departure: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 Mazda 3, CX-30, and 2025 CX-50 vehicles. A malfunction in the forward sensing camera (FSC) may prevent the automatic emergency braking system and the lane-keep assist system from functioning. In addition, the headlights will not automatically adjust from high beams to low beams as intended.
Risk. Automatic braking, steering assist, and headlight control systems that do not function as intended can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the forward sensing camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6824H.
2024 Mazda CX-50 recalls 1
Trailer Hitches
What's wrong. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 CX-50 vehicles equipped with Mazda Genuine Accessory trailer hitches. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may loosen and cause the assembly to separate from the vehicle body during towing or normal driving conditions.
Risk. A detached trailer hitch assembly can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will tighten the trailer hitch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Mazda's number for this recall is 7225C.
2023 Mazda CX-50 recalls 2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
What's wrong. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2022-2023 CX-30 and 2023 CX-50 vehicles. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) may be damaged, which can result in reduced braking ability.
Risk. Reduced braking ability can increase the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the ABS HCU, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 12, 2023. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 5823D.
Trailer Hitches
What's wrong. Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2023 CX-50 vehicles equipped with a Mazda Genuine Accessory trailer hitch. The trailer hitch harness may detach and become damaged, which can result in inoperative trailer lights and/or brakes.
Risk. Towing a trailer with inoperative lights or brakes can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will repair the trailer hitch harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2023. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 5723B.
Best and worst years for the Mazda CX-50
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 4 tracked years, the worst years are 2023, 2025, 2024 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2026, 2024, 2025.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 CX-50 | Service Brakes | Avoid | |
| 2024 CX-50 | Structure | Avoid | |
| 2025 CX-50 | Power Train | Avoid | |
| 2026 CX-50 | Forward Collision Avoidance | Best |
What are the most common Mazda CX-50 problems?
The most-reported Mazda CX-50 problems are Seats (6 reports), Tires (1 reports) and Engine (8 reports) — out of 127 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Forward Collision Avoidance 25 Read
The contact owned a 2024 Mazda CX-50. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, after exiting the freeway, the contact was distracted, and when the contact turned to face the road, the vehicle rear-ended the vehicle in front. The contact stated that from the impact, the vehicle that was rear-ended was pushed into the vehicle in front. The contact stated that the crash imminent braking and the forward collision warning failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the driver-side air bag and the knee air bag were deployed. The contact was unsure whether there was a warning light illuminated. A police report was filed. EMS was called to the scene. However, the contact refused to go to the hospital by ambulance. Afterwards, the contact went to the hospital. The doctor diagnosed that the contact had a swollen spleen on the left side. The contact stated that the shoulders and back were sore, and the left knee was swollen. The contact attended physical therapy. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The insurance company towed the vehicle to an unknown location and deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened where assistance was declined. The failure mileage was 16,937.
I am reporting a potential airbag system/emergency brake failure in my 2023 Mazda CX-50. I was involved in a rear-end motor vehicle accident at approximately 60 mph while my vehicle was completely stopped. I then hit the person in front of me. At the time of the impact, the airbags did not deploy, and I received a dashboard message indicating an airbag system malfunction. Since then, the emergency brake turns on and off on it's own at any time. Due to the severity of the crash, I am concerned that the airbags should have deployed, and their failure raises a serious safety concern. I sustained injuries (multiple fractures) as a result of the collision. I am requesting a formal investigation into possible defect or malfunction in the airbag system and emergency brake system.
The contact owns a 2023 Mazda CX-50. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 38 MPH. The contact stated he was approaching an intersection when a vehicle in front of him attempted to make a left turn but slowed down. The contact was unable to depress the brake pedal and turned the steering wheel to the left to avoid the crash, but he crashed into the corner of the passenger side rear bumper of the other vehicle. The contact was not sure of the damage to the other vehicle; his vehicle had damage to the right headlight and the front quarter panel. The contact stated that his vehicle was equipped with a front collision avoidance system, but the system had not engaged. The contact stated that no persons were injured. The contact stated that the police were on scene and wrote a report. The vehicle was driven to a collision center for repair. The contact had not had the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
On 1/14/2026, I was pulling into a parking space in a parking garage when the vehicle abruptly accelerated causing the vehicle to hit the concrete wall in front of me. No braking assist or front collision warning issued. Airbags deployed. The car is currently at Joe Myers Collision Center in Houston, Texas to obtain an estimate for repair. The police did not respond to reported incident. Incident was reported to my insurance company immediately.
I have had my 2023 Mazda CX-50 for almost two years. Since I got the car, I have had no issues with the i-Activsense until June 2025. The reason I got the newer car was to ensure the safety of my family; however, Mazda failed to do their part. My car was recently involved in a car accident due to a faulty system. It appears that the newer Mazda CX-50s were included in a recall, but the 2023 model was not and it should be. On the day of the accident, my daughter was driving my car. The traffic was slowing down, and two lanes of traffic had to merge to one lane due to construction and all of a sudden, the car in front of her slammed on their breaks and the car could not stop in time before hitting them. My car never sent an alert until contact was made with the other car, and the emergency breaking did not activate. After my car hit the other car, an alert came on screen that indicated the i-Activsense was disabled. Once the car was turned off and then back on the alert disappeared. Additionally, I am now having issues with the rear camera not alerting if someone is behind me (car or pedestrian). I have a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee that will slam on the break for you if you get too close to an object when you are in reverse. Isn't that what the Mazda CX-50 should be doing?
The Collision Avoidance System did not activate, to avoid a front-end collision. The vehicle in front of me stopped, making a right-hand turn onto another road. I moved forward, not seeing him stop. My car rear-ended the vehicle in front of me, with no warning or activation from my system.
I am reporting a severe safety defect on a brand-new Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus involving a complete failure and malfunction of the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), specifically the proximity, forward collision, parking collision, and automatic emergency braking sensors. The safety sensors continuously malfunction, creating an immediate and erratic hazard while driving. The chief concern is the risk of uncommanded, sudden automatic emergency braking at highway speeds, or the complete failure of critical safety warning systems during a real collision event.Upon identifying this safety risk, I contacted an authorized Mazda dealer to arrange an emergency repair. The dealership explicitly promised a loaner vehicle so they could hold my car safely for diagnostic testing. However, when I arrived, the dealership reneged on the loaner vehicle and refused to check the car into service.Instead, dealership sales and service personnel drove my vehicle into the service bay and instructed me to get inside the cabin. A staff member then entered the vehicle settings menu and manually muted the auditory safety alerts to conceal the active sensor malfunction warnings. I immediately protested, stating that muting a critical ADAS safety warning system was unsafe, did not diagnose or repair the defect, and put my life and public safety at risk. Despite my clear objections, the dealership's management instructed me that I must continue to drive the vehicle with the disabled/muted safety systems anyway and to bring it back if anything else happens.When I refused to accept this hazardous vehicle modification and sought alternative resolution, the dealership owner issued a written communication banning me from the property, entirely refusing to honor the manufacturer's warranty or perform mandatory safety repairs. The vehicle remains unrepaired and unsafe to operate on public roads due to random sensor failures, and the primary local dealer has outright refused service.
I was pulling into a parking spot and the emergency braking system applied the brakes very forcefully as if a collision was imminent. I backed up and saw nothing in the parking spot and then proceeded to pull back into the same spot with no issue. There was a loud and rhythmic thumping sound that I perceived as the abs system engaging. This is a rental car so I am returning it to the company, National rental car, and swapping out for a new vehicle. I contacted Mazda about this and was given a case # 00434431.
Cruise control surges beyond normal limits, has tried to take curves on exits so fast the tires slide and i have to slam on the brakes. Also, when pulling out from behind a car, the cruise control kicks in too fast and is flying toward stopped cars, and i have to use the brake to stop it or rear-end the car in front of me. Also, the fuel system would not allow me to fill up the gas tank, and i was stranded. Computer would not open the fuel tank for me to put fuel into it. Has to pry the entire assembly off and break it. Then fuel would not go into the fuel tank, air pressure kept turning off the pump. After those incidents got the car back from the dealer and two days later it was completely dead in the garage, nothing worked, locks, back latch, etc. When they recarged it there were dozens of codes on.
When approaching cars at an intersection, the brake warning does not give any warning, but the cars brake, lock up, and throw me and anything in the seat flying into the floor or side compartment. It was not even necessary to stop that quickly. Totally random and could cause an accident.
Service Brakes 23 Read
TO NTSA - 2025 Mazda CX-50 Premium Turbo Plus - Purchased [XXX] - Less than 2,000 miles Driving north on [XXX] , I took exit [XXX] . When slowing to change to the right-hand lane, it surged then rapidly accelerated. Stepping on the brake did not slow it down, increased acceleration. To avoid hitting cars in my lane, I jumped the curb to the frontage road, continually pumping on the brake. The left front wheel and axle broke off and landed 20 ft away. The vehicle did not slow down; It was stopped by snapping a power pole in half. While trying to grab my purse, two Good Samaritans yelled at me to get out of the car, it was smoking and there were power lines overhead. Miraculously, I walked away. The Mazda salesman we purchased from was notified with photo. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On 1/14/2026, I was pulling into a parking space in a parking garage when the vehicle abruptly accelerated causing the vehicle to hit the concrete wall in front of me. No braking assist or front collision warning issued. Airbags deployed. The car is currently at Joe Myers Collision Center in Houston, Texas to obtain an estimate for repair. The police did not respond to reported incident. Incident was reported to my insurance company immediately.
At 10:16 am, I was driving home on Hall Rd. in Michigan. Hall Road is currently under construction and only two lanes are open and the speed is 40mph. It was raining pretty hard and also very windy. I was traveling West in the left lane and i noticed people in front of me began slowing down to about 10mph and going around an object I couldnt see. By the time it was my turn to pass said object, I realized it was a speed limit sign that had been knocked over by the wind. I went around it and pulled off to the side of the road where there was a small patch of flat, clear land (I believe there is a fire extinguisher or some kind of service system there). Try to act fast, I opened my door, removed my seatbelt and after looking for cars behind me, I ran across the road and picked up the large sign and moved it out of the way. By the time I had moved the sign, I noticed cars slowly approaching but were not willing to pass me. Then I heard them honking their horns but because it was raining hard, I couldnt see who or hear what they were saying. I figured Id look back at my car in case that was the reason and sure enough, it was and I jumped out of the way, and watched my car slowly fall off the ledge of the open roads and into the construction area of the new roads (there was a 2-3 foot deep and maybe 1-2 feet wide trench between the open road and the newly paved roads). My car then stopped abruptly, hanging over the ledge. Seeing the car had stopped completely, I opened the door and slowly got the car off the ledge. This did minor damage to the underside of my front and rear bumper but nothing serious. The problem I feel that is evident is that the car never engaged the electronic parking brake. This was a similar issue to what led to the death of [XXX] (granted, his shifting mechanism was an Audi style shifter and was shift-by-wire). I am not sure exactly what kind of automatic transmission is in my Mazda other than a 6spd. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
When approaching cars at an intersection, the brake warning does not give any warning, but the cars brake, lock up, and throw me and anything in the seat flying into the floor or side compartment. It was not even necessary to stop that quickly. Totally random and could cause an accident.
There is a recall for earlier models regarding "break clunk." The parking break, when sitting overnight in cold or wet environments, makes a loud bang noise when going into motion for the first time. The parking break seems to be sticking to something.
When using adaptive cruise control, during SOME cornering, SOMETIMES the car brakes unexpectedly, very aggressively, without warning. Very dangerous, especially when another car is behind you.
Brake pads loose / moving inside the shims of overall Brake system for the vehicle . Making audio noise while driving and parking and stopping vehicle. Safety risk of brake Failure Minor Odor of fire/fumes
The contact owns a 2024 Mazda CX-50. The contact stated that there was uneven brake wear on the inner brake pad. The contact stated that the inner side of the brake pads were wearing before the outer sides. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front brake pads and rotors were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 2,500.
The vehicle jerks while slowing down/low speed.
upon inspection cracks were found in both rear brake rotors
Power Train 17 Read
I am reporting a potential safety-related defect in my 2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred, which is approximately four months old. On one occasion, the vehicle moved backward while in Drive mode. This occurred twice on the same day under similar conditions on a slight incline. After starting the vehicle, I shifted into Drive and applied acceleration; however, the vehicle moved backward instead of forward. The rearward motion continued despite active acceleration input. This behavior is not consistent with normal rollback on an incline. The continued backward movement under acceleration indicates a possible issue with transmission engagement, gear recognition, or electronic control systems. I reported the issue to an authorized Mazda dealer. I was informed that shifting the gear too quickly may cause a delay in system response, resulting in the vehicle behaving as though still in Reverse. I consider this explanation unacceptable for a modern automatic vehicle and indicative of a potential defect. This condition presents a safety risk. Unintended rearward movement while in Drive could lead to collisions, especially in situations involving other vehicles, pedestrians, or objects behind the vehicle. Although the issue has not reoccurred since that day, the intermittent nature raises concern about reliability and the potential for recurrence without warning. I request that this issue be investigated as a potential safety defect.
After about six months of ownership, a knocking noise started happening from the front of the vehicle when turning the wheel all of the way to the right. A month or so later I brought it to a Mazda dealership in Green Brook, NJ. I was told by the service advisor that she had the same vehicle and was advised that this was normal. She explained everything exactly as I had experienced it. She told me I could wait in the dealership for 3/4 hours, but the technicians would most likely just tell me the same. Over time, the suspension deteriorated. Bumps felt more and more noticeable and a lot of noise inside the cabin. Specifically, a lot of vibrating on the right side of the vehicle: windows, front passenger seat, and the trunk window. Looking over the internet, it seems like this problem is apparent in multiple vehicle years, but never properly addressed via a recall: [XXX] . The vehicle is currently in Sansone Mazda in [XXX] . They replaced the right CV and the problem did not go away. I was told they would have to contact Mazda corporate. They did and I was then advised that they would need to replace the left CV axel, as well. Not surprisingly based on the frequency of this issue, that part was unavailable and on back order. I don't know how long I'll be without my car at this point. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Clicking /rattling noise when turning
Driver side and passenger side axle-area damage, making loud clicking and popping sounds on turns indicating major damage to CV joint, at around 5000 miles. Primarily heard on sharply turned wheel acceleration, particularly on slightly uphill inclines.
Vehicle: 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Mileage at first failure: ~6,000 miles Component: Front CV boot / axle assembly — loss of grease Safety Concern: Early-life component failure with unresolved uncertainty in root cause Description: At approximately 6,000 miles, the left front CV boot of my vehicle was found leaking grease. The dealership initially stated the failure was due to “external impact,” but no conclusive evidence was presented to support this determination. The photos and inspection notes did not identify a clear puncture or specific point of impact. Mazda Corporate later informed me that their engineering team concluded the issue was not related to a material or manufacturing defect, and offered a goodwill repair. However, the underlying root cause remains uncertain due to the lack of definitive evidence. Safety relevance: A CV boot failure at such low mileage is extremely unusual for a modern vehicle, and premature loss of grease from the CV joint can lead to: joint degradation, reduced steering stability, potential loss of vehicle control. If similar early-life failures occur on additional Mazda vehicles, this may indicate a broader design, material, or assembly concern. Requested Action: I am submitting this report for documentation purposes in case a pattern emerges or if the issue recurs on my vehicle or others.
At only about 6,100 miles and during my vehicle’s first service, the technician found grease leaking from the left front CV boot. The dealer stated this was caused by an external puncture, but they were unable to provide clear evidence, detailed photos, or a written diagnosis proving that the damage was external. The mark they referenced was extremely small and not consistent with a clear impact. A CV boot should not fail at such low mileage, which raises concerns about a potential early-life component failure or material defect. A torn CV boot can lead to CV joint wear, loss of power, or loss of vehicle control if it progresses. Because the root cause is uncertain and the failure occurred unusually early in the vehicle’s life, I am reporting this to NHTSA in case this represents a broader quality or safety issue affecting other vehicles of the same model.
I brought my vehicle to Modern Mazda of Thomaston, CT on Friday January 30, 2026 due to a front-end passenger clunking noise that occurs during left turns. The master tech test-drove the vehicle to duplicate the noise and video of the damage. I was informed that the front passenger axle was leaking grease in video and recommend to replace the front axle. I was told the necessary parts are on back order 6-8 weeks. I was told Mazda is aware of the manufacturer workmanship defect in the CV axle parts. The service manager did provide written documentation ordering the parts. I did file a complaint with Mazda Corporate, documenting the issue and the dealership's findings as well as I was informed the fact Mazda is seeking a new supplier of CV parts. A Mazda corporate case number was assigned. I believe this is a safety issue and a recall should be issued.
I am reporting a potential safety-related defect involving premature axle failure on Mazda CX-50 vehicles. The axle appears to be prone to early failure under normal driving conditions, sometimes at relatively low mileage. There are multiple reports from other Mazda CX-50 owners describing similar axle or CV axle failures, including clicking noises, vibration, loss of power to the wheels, and complete axle failure. These reports are publicly documented on online owner forums and Reddit, suggesting a pattern rather than isolated incidents. Axle failure can result in sudden loss of propulsion and may increase the risk of a crash, especially at highway speeds or during turns. This appears to be a design or durability issue rather than normal wear and tear. I am concerned this defect affects multiple vehicles and warrants investigation and a potential recall before more failures occur.
I brought my vehicle to Safford Mazda of Fredericksburg on Monday, December 15, 2025 due to a front-end clunking that occurs during left or right turns. A service representative test-drove the vehicle with me and was able to hear and duplicate the noise. Shortly afterward, I was informed that the front axle has internal damage and that the vehicle would need to be retained by the dealership for repair. I was told the necessary parts would not be available until sometime in February 2026. The dealership retained possession of the vehicle and arranged a loaner vehicle for my use. The service manager declined to provide written documentation stating that the car was unsafe to drive or describing potential consequences of continued operation. However, the vehicle was not released back to me pending the axle replacement. I have filed a complaint with Mazda Corporate, documenting the issue and the dealership's findings. A Mazda corporate case number is available if needed.
On three separate occasions, while in reverse backing out of my driveway, the car failed to engage the transmission when shifting into drive, acting like it was in neutral. There were no warning lights or messages on the dashboard. The only way that I found to engage the transmission was to turn off the vehicle, turn back on, and move selector to drive. This is a safety issue as I've had cars approaching in both directions with the CX-50 behing immobilized and not able to move out of the roadway.
Electrical System 15 Read
Vehicle was dormant overnight and caught fire. Battery disintegrated and fire tore across the entire engine compartment and front end. Fire department conducted investigation and determined mechanical failure. Showed no signs of issue before hand was driven shortly the night before to move parking spots.
At 10:16 am, I was driving home on Hall Rd. in Michigan. Hall Road is currently under construction and only two lanes are open and the speed is 40mph. It was raining pretty hard and also very windy. I was traveling West in the left lane and i noticed people in front of me began slowing down to about 10mph and going around an object I couldnt see. By the time it was my turn to pass said object, I realized it was a speed limit sign that had been knocked over by the wind. I went around it and pulled off to the side of the road where there was a small patch of flat, clear land (I believe there is a fire extinguisher or some kind of service system there). Try to act fast, I opened my door, removed my seatbelt and after looking for cars behind me, I ran across the road and picked up the large sign and moved it out of the way. By the time I had moved the sign, I noticed cars slowly approaching but were not willing to pass me. Then I heard them honking their horns but because it was raining hard, I couldnt see who or hear what they were saying. I figured Id look back at my car in case that was the reason and sure enough, it was and I jumped out of the way, and watched my car slowly fall off the ledge of the open roads and into the construction area of the new roads (there was a 2-3 foot deep and maybe 1-2 feet wide trench between the open road and the newly paved roads). My car then stopped abruptly, hanging over the ledge. Seeing the car had stopped completely, I opened the door and slowly got the car off the ledge. This did minor damage to the underside of my front and rear bumper but nothing serious. The problem I feel that is evident is that the car never engaged the electronic parking brake. This was a similar issue to what led to the death of [XXX] (granted, his shifting mechanism was an Audi style shifter and was shift-by-wire). I am not sure exactly what kind of automatic transmission is in my Mazda other than a 6spd. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Stopped at a convenience store in [XXX] . Upon return to vehicle, it would not start. A check engine light and steering alert came on. According to ChatGPT it appeared to be an electrical problem. AI recommended that the vehicle be "rebooted". That entailed putting the car in Park, turning the ignition off, turning off all accessories, getting out of the car, locking it with the FOB, and walking away from the car with the FOB. Don't return until after 5 minutes or more. The second incident occurred on the out skirts of [XXX] . The instrument panel went dark for a half a second or so. Once it became illuminated, another warning alert appeared: Telematics Communication Unit Malfunctioned. AI suggest not turning ignition off until we reached our final distination. Have a dealer run a diagnostic scan on the voltage system. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
We have had this 2025 Mazda CX-50 hybrid for a couple of months. On January 21, 2025, my wife tried to start it after shopping at a Dollar store. All the warnings lights came on, blinking, and the car was unresponsive to drive. After repeated attempts to start the car, the warning lights, finally, did go off, but a message of "hybrid system malfunction have vehicle inspected" came on. It finally started and allowed her to drive home. The alert about the hybrid system went off. So far, it has not happened again. I called the service department, and all they said was to bring it in if it does it again. No one has looked at it. Really wasn't any risk to her since she was in town. But had it happened somewhere where she didn't have phone service, it could have put her at risk. I don't really know what happened, but the biggest thing is the worry that it will do it again.
The vehicle had the original OEM battery fail at 15 months. It dropped to 7v under light load. It's a bad battery. Upon being jump started, the power steering went in and out while driving and the dashboard blinked on and off...throwing a lot of errors that are unrelated to the battery problem. The failure state of the vehicle with a bad battery is unlike any vehicle I have ever seen and it is extremely dangerous. Furthermore, Mazda roadside assistance does not know about this issue and only offers jumpstarts, putting customers into danger by suggesting that the vehicle is safe to drive with a battery that is not stable.
The contact owns a 2024 Mazda CX-50. The contact stated that while reversing at approximately 2 MPH into a parking slot, the rear back up sensor warning was illuminated. The contact stated that the sensor was designed to alert the driver whenever the vehicle was too close to an object. The contact stated that the rear collision braking system warning was also illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that a factory installed trailer hitch warning was also illuminated intermittently. The contact stated that the electrical failure was intermittent and occurred at various speeds. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the front brakes were making an abnormal rubbing sound. The contact stated that after releasing the brake pedal the sound stopped. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the same dealer several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,522.
Automatic transmission failure, engine malfunction, safety driver function. My car will not accelerate, or move out of 1,2,3 gear.
The temperature control dial on the climate control system behaves erratically and inconsistently. When turning the dial to increase temperature, the displayed temperature sometimes decreases. When turning it to decrease, it sometimes increases. The dial also jumps multiple units rather than incrementing one degree at a time. The behavior is unpredictable and occurs regardless of whether the engine is warm or cold. This issue has been confirmed by multiple other 2023 CX-50 owners in owner forums, suggesting a manufacturing defect in the encoder mechanism for the temperature control knob. The dealer confirmed the bumper-to-bumper warranty has expired but has not offered a resolution.
When adjusting the temperature in the car with the dial, it does not respond correctly. It either jumps up or down by multiple degrees. This causes to take your eyes off the road to try to adjust the temperature. No warning lights came on and pushing lighter or harder on the dial does NOT fix it. Only driver side is currently having this issue.
1) Climate Control System Malfunction I am reporting a safety-related defect involving the climate control system in my vehicle. Specifically, the temperature control knob is malfunctioning and behaves erratically. When adjusting the temperature, the system does not respond consistently and will unpredictably change temperature settings without corresponding input. This was diagnosed at The Autobarn Mazda of Evanston to be a failure within the HVAC control system. I see it is a common issue discussed in online forums. The issue has been diagnosed and confirmed by a service technician. At this time, the vehicle has not been fully repaired and remains available for inspection upon request. This malfunction creates a potential safety risk because it may cause a distraction while driving. The erratic behavior requires repeated adjustments and attention to the climate control system, diverting focus away from the road. The problem has been reproduced and verified by a dealership technician, who confirmed the abnormal operation of the temperature control knob and system. A repair was recommended, with replacement cost $690.24. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized dealership, and I also contacted Mazda to request goodwill repair assistance. However, they declined to cover the repair cost. My car has 55,000 miles, but this is an issue that has been present early on if not since day 1. Prior to the failure, there were no consistent warning lights or system messages indicating a problem. Given that this appears to be a known issue with this type of system, I am concerned that other vehicles may be affected by the same defect.
Structure 15 Read
The contact owns a 2024 Mazda CX-50. The contact stated that while opening the doors, the door stop detent had failed, causing the door to rapidly close and swing back, and making contact with the occupants. Both the contact and the wife sustained leg bruises, and the wife sustained a head contusion due to the failure. No medical treatment was required. The contact indicated that the failure was present on both the driver's side front and rear doors and the passenger side front and rear doors. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who examined the vehicle, and no failure was found. The contact was informed that the door operated as intended. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 100.
Vehicle was dormant overnight and caught fire. Battery disintegrated and fire tore across the entire engine compartment and front end. Fire department conducted investigation and determined mechanical failure. Showed no signs of issue before hand was driven shortly the night before to move parking spots.
Door handle cables detach easily which prevents the door from being opened from the inside. It has happened to me twice on my driver side door the last 5 months. Research online shows this is a very common problem with newer Mazdas and it is a major safety hazard as it prevents easy exit from the vehicle in the event of an emergency, especially if there is power loss so the windows cannot be opened.
An indentation in the rear bumper may be noticed SAME AS sa035/22 BUT DEALER said is not applicable to my vehicle even when is the same deffect.
First issue: Rough idle at start. The interior cabin vibrates enough to question the vehicle quality. The rough idle lasts about 40 seconds then engine switches to smooth vibration. It's actually unnerving. Second issue: it's well known in 2025 Mazda installed the Toyota RAV4 hybrid engine and transmission into the CX-50. The current ICE engine model had to be modified. As a result there are some structural issues that may become problematic. The front passenger door scrapes against the interior fender. During manufacturing to cover up the defect Mazda purposely offset the passenger side fender mask the defect. This should seriously can into question the structural integrity of the vehicle. The primary concern is by offsetting the fender have the impacted the ability of the crumble zones in this area? Additionally, the front passenger door may become stuck since there is no uniformity in the panel alignment. This should raise caution since the modifications necessary to accommodate the hybrid system my have impacted overall vehicle integrity.
I was attempting to mount my bike rack. To get the clips to properly fit I needed to partially open the liftgate. Upon triggering the door release the power liftgate and began opening the door. The anti pinch system did not detect the pinch and it crumpled the roof and liftgate at the seam. I tried to stop it but there was too much pressure and by the time it stopped lifting under my body weight significant damage had occurred. If a finger had been there it would have been chopped off.
The vehicle hood has an angled section near the windshield that causes sunlight to beam intensely, directly into the drivers eyes when driving with the sun in front of the vehicle.
Window shattered while idle.
Water leaking to right rear cargo area after rain that makes the roof trim wet, the cargo floor and spare tire compartment flooded. The water seems to flow out from seat belt opening.
The driver's door is not opening from the inside. To open the driver's door while I am in the vehicle, I have to roll down the window and use the exterior door handle to exit the vehicle. This is a huge safety concern, as the window cannot be rolled down manually. If the car did not have power, I would have to break open the window. The potential for being trapped in the car with this defect is high. Several other owners of this car have reported this: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Suspension 12 Read
My ball joint failed on my brand new 4 month old vehicle at mile 2077. You absolutely have the ability to inspect it if you would like. This caused a MAJOR safety issue to both me and people around me as I lost complete control of my vehicle. Luckily, no one was injured. I believe this is an independent claim thus far on a CX-50. Mazda claims they had it inspected but I never saw anything in writing but I did have a damage adjuster of my insurance checked it out. I was stated my an independent mechanic and a tow truck driver that I did not cause this and something failed. Mazda also claims the district manager has looked at the vehicle and they don’t know how or what happened but they do not claim responsibility even though my car is covered in warranty. There were no warning lights or anything that told me this was going to happen, when my control arm popped off it veered me into a curb and blew my tire, losing control of the car, and skidding to a stop across an intersection
Gradually increasing knocking and clicking sounds from front end suspension through first 400 miles of new car miles was observed. Researched this issue and found known recall for this specific problem for same model/year but VIN was not identified within the known range. Reported to dealer/mazda service center and told to bring vehicle in for inspection with reported confidence that this is the same known problem.
Driver side and passenger side axle-area, making loud clicking and popping sounds on turns indicating major damage to CV joint, at around 10,000 miles. Primarily heard on sharply turned wheel acceleration. Two dealerships said they "couldn't reproduce the issue" even though I showed them the issue on recorded video. I demand that this be taken seriously as a recall.
Mazda CX-50 at 22000 miles CV joint on passenger side making clicking sound under moderate acceleration. Scheduled service with dealer on 1/28 received appointment date of 3/2 for inspection and possible repair.
Vehicle CV joints failed at 6000 miles, dealership took over 3 weeks to replace them. They claimed multiple CX50 hybrid vehicles are impacted and lots of them already returning under the same problem
I am reporting a potential safety-related defect involving premature axle failure on Mazda CX-50 vehicles. The axle appears to be prone to early failure under normal driving conditions, sometimes at relatively low mileage. There are multiple reports from other Mazda CX-50 owners describing similar axle or CV axle failures, including clicking noises, vibration, loss of power to the wheels, and complete axle failure. These reports are publicly documented on online owner forums and Reddit, suggesting a pattern rather than isolated incidents. Axle failure can result in sudden loss of propulsion and may increase the risk of a crash, especially at highway speeds or during turns. This appears to be a design or durability issue rather than normal wear and tear. I am concerned this defect affects multiple vehicles and warrants investigation and a potential recall before more failures occur.
I purchased my vehicle early August 2024 at Knudson Foothills Mazda in Spokane, Washington. Within the first five hundred miles of use, I noticed that my steering wheel would not maintain center alignment. I took it into the shop explaining my issue and they were fast to acknowledge the alignment was off and that they realigned the vehicle. The steering was off center alignment within 20-40 miles so I again, contacted the dealer and told them I expect a more thorough inspection. They took a brief inspection and realigned the vehicle again. At pickup, the service advisor said "the suspension is settling, this is normal. If it happens again, don't bring it back for 5K miles." They also proceeded to tell me they could not determine the cause, so they called the Mazda Technician hotline which is where they claimed to have got their answer for me. The center alignment did not last more than 20ish miles and has gradually gotten worse. If this were "normal", they would have been able to tell me on the first visit instead of two and having to call their own tech hotline. If this were "normal", I would be able to find reputable sources online confirming this. If this were "normal", I would not have been told to endanger my life for an extended 5K miles before asking for this to be fixed again. I do not feel safe in my car. Each time I call the dealer they tell me to wait until 5K miles. I have filed a complaint with Mazda USA but have not heard anything since. I'm currently looking into attorneys to go after Mazda USA as I feel the vehicle is UNSAFE to drive and they are being NEGLIGENT on their approach with total disregard to consumer safety. Searches online indicate this is likely a result of faulty parts used when the vehicle was manufactured. I do not know what else do to besides file this complaint so a large entity can question Mazda on this SAFETY ISSUE. 1st service/realignment: 9/16/24 - approx 750 miles 2nd service/realignment: 9/25/24 approx 1251miles
Vehicle steering failed and caused the vehicle to go in opposite direction than intended, ended up almost hitting a streetlamp due to this. Issue had happened before and ended up on opposite side of traffic but had attributed it to loss of traction and wet weather at the time, but likely related to this. reported to dealer and they were unable to recreate or find any issue
Wear of Strut Bearing causing crunching sounds at low speed braking and turning. Dealer reports this is due to dirt and debris getting up there. Vehicle has 34,000 miles (out of warranty due to time) and has had only light use off-road on dirt roads (2 camping trips). Not repairing can cause further damage and failure of suspension components. Vehicle marketed as off-road capable but components not protected properly from dirt/debris from driving off-road.
On [XXX], our 2023 Mazda CX-50 experienced a failure of the control arm, which was confirmed by Auffenberg Mazda of O’Fallon, IL, to be a manufacturer’s defect. Despite this, the dealer informed us that the vehicle was safe to drive. However, Mazda corporate contradicted this, stating the vehicle is unsafe to drive and instructed us not to operate it. We were informed that the replacement part will not be available until sometime in July 2025, leaving us without a safe vehicle for nearly two months. Both Mazda corporate and Auffenberg Mazda of O’Fallon, IL, have refused to provide a loaner vehicle or commit to reimbursing rental car expenses during this period. Additionally, Mazda corporate has failed to maintain consistent communication, not returning calls when promised and leaving us without timely updates or resolution. This situation poses a significant safety concern and financial burden, as we are left without a reliable means of transportation due to a confirmed manufacturing defect. We request that the NHTSA investigate this issue, including the conflicting safety assessments provided by the dealer and Mazda corporate, the delay in part availability, and the refusal to provide a loaner vehicle or rental car reimbursement. We also urge an evaluation of the control arm defect to ensure other Mazda CX-50 owners are not at risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine 8 Read
Vehicle was dormant overnight and caught fire. Battery disintegrated and fire tore across the entire engine compartment and front end. Fire department conducted investigation and determined mechanical failure. Showed no signs of issue before hand was driven shortly the night before to move parking spots.
On 1/14/2026, I was pulling into a parking space in a parking garage when the vehicle abruptly accelerated causing the vehicle to hit the concrete wall in front of me. No braking assist or front collision warning issued. Airbags deployed. The car is currently at Joe Myers Collision Center in Houston, Texas to obtain an estimate for repair. The police did not respond to reported incident. Incident was reported to my insurance company immediately.
First issue: Rough idle at start. The interior cabin vibrates enough to question the vehicle quality. The rough idle lasts about 40 seconds then engine switches to smooth vibration. It's actually unnerving. Second issue: it's well known in 2025 Mazda installed the Toyota RAV4 hybrid engine and transmission into the CX-50. The current ICE engine model had to be modified. As a result there are some structural issues that may become problematic. The front passenger door scrapes against the interior fender. During manufacturing to cover up the defect Mazda purposely offset the passenger side fender mask the defect. This should seriously can into question the structural integrity of the vehicle. The primary concern is by offsetting the fender have the impacted the ability of the crumble zones in this area? Additionally, the front passenger door may become stuck since there is no uniformity in the panel alignment. This should raise caution since the modifications necessary to accommodate the hybrid system my have impacted overall vehicle integrity.
Check engine light came on at 600 miles. Took it to the dealer and the code was a p3400 code, cylinder deactivation fault. The dealership replaced both solenoids, part #PYFA-12-360A, found metal in OCV valves. When we got the car back I changed the oil, cut the oil filter open and found large metal shavings. At about 1300 miles the same check engine light came on. Back to the dealership with the same code. Now Mazda says to replace the head.
The vehicle jerks while slowing down/low speed.
Automatic transmission failure, engine malfunction, safety driver function. My car will not accelerate, or move out of 1,2,3 gear.
Cylinder 3, loss of engine power . Safety feature on and off. Life threatening .in the Middle line, suddenly English loss the power almost car behind me crash on us at the time my wife with me in the car . Yes dealer said fuel injector problem , I believe this is more then that . Yes vehicle inspected by dealer under warranty I saw engine logo and something malfunction, but at the I was hurry to drive car on the safe side after that I turn off engine.
I purchased this brand new 2023 Mazda CX-50 at the end of this July, and it has no incidents, no hits, no scratches at all. Last Sunday while driving it, out of no where, the 'Vehicle System Malfunction' message showed up and I dropped my car at the dealership right away. There was the weird sound from the front of the vehicle every time I braked to 10 mph, and I don't want to take risk of my own to drive it anymore. The front right-side lower active grille shutter was broke, and three lit damages were spotted on the condenser behind it. Luckily no leakage happened at that time. The dealership gave it a rounded inspection and told me 'it might be hit by a little rock'. Yeah, a little rock broke the entire grille shutter. I realize that there is no protection of any sort in front of the shutters, and it is very easy for any little object to break the shutters and the condensers as well. You can see easily from any picture of a CX50, there are two open big holes at the lower front, and the shutters are inside. This makes the shutter entirely expose. It's only two months since I bought this car, I believe I will not be the first CX50 owner that has this problem. It is highly possible that this is a design flaw, there should be some protective manners in front of the shutters to reduce the possibilities of something hitting it. Mazda's warranty is not covering this since they told me 'it was damaged by hitting a little rock', but this damage was because there is no protection to the shutter at all.
Lane Departure 7 Read
I am reporting a severe safety defect on a brand-new Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus involving a complete failure and malfunction of the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), specifically the proximity, forward collision, parking collision, and automatic emergency braking sensors. The safety sensors continuously malfunction, creating an immediate and erratic hazard while driving. The chief concern is the risk of uncommanded, sudden automatic emergency braking at highway speeds, or the complete failure of critical safety warning systems during a real collision event.Upon identifying this safety risk, I contacted an authorized Mazda dealer to arrange an emergency repair. The dealership explicitly promised a loaner vehicle so they could hold my car safely for diagnostic testing. However, when I arrived, the dealership reneged on the loaner vehicle and refused to check the car into service.Instead, dealership sales and service personnel drove my vehicle into the service bay and instructed me to get inside the cabin. A staff member then entered the vehicle settings menu and manually muted the auditory safety alerts to conceal the active sensor malfunction warnings. I immediately protested, stating that muting a critical ADAS safety warning system was unsafe, did not diagnose or repair the defect, and put my life and public safety at risk. Despite my clear objections, the dealership's management instructed me that I must continue to drive the vehicle with the disabled/muted safety systems anyway and to bring it back if anything else happens.When I refused to accept this hazardous vehicle modification and sought alternative resolution, the dealership owner issued a written communication banning me from the property, entirely refusing to honor the manufacturer's warranty or perform mandatory safety repairs. The vehicle remains unrepaired and unsafe to operate on public roads due to random sensor failures, and the primary local dealer has outright refused service.
I get an error that rear side radar obsured, I activsense temporarily disabled almost everytime I drive at freeway speeds. It disables the blind spot monitoring making the vehicle less safe. It disables for long periods of time in all conditions. Took to Mazda and they indicated it’s an issue, but no solution.
The blind spot monitoring stops after a few minutes on the highway. Dealer said no trouble foun d. When in traffic it stops working, backing up no notification cross traffic, cargo door stuck open. Adter 10 minutes shutting off car. Restarting, trying inside button, door button and the remote. They all failed to close door. Had to manually close cargo hatch. It worked the next morning. The blind spot, cross traffic doesnt work! It works for a few minutes after starting car but under traffic condtions it fails to notify on both sides of the vehicle. It failed first on passenger side. Now both sides fail in heavy traffic conditions. I have videos to prove the failures.
For about one week now. The blind spot monitoring system fails in heavy traffic. It works when you start the car, works in lite traffic. But on the highyway or heaver traffic it stops working. The dealer said it worked when test driven for 10 minutes. After blind spot stops functing then the cross traffic alert fails. Our cargo bay door refused to close yeaterday. All buttons just cause a beep to sound. After 10 minutes , restatring the car, locking & unlocking the doors by remote & inside switch. I had to physically close the hatch against the motor. The blind spot failed on the ride home from the dealer when surrounded in traffic. Video made of failuer.
Automatic transmission failure, engine malfunction, safety driver function. My car will not accelerate, or move out of 1,2,3 gear.
Safety systems disables when Sunlight hits directly on the car. I own Toyota and honda, they Never had problems with sunlight. sudden loss of safety systems, caused warnings on dash, which was a distraction, especially when Sun hits directly at the car/driver. I verified the camera and sensors, there were very clean.
Lane keeping assistance does not prevent the vehicle from departing the lane nor does it provide corrective steering. LKA is fully activated and vehicle travelling over 45 mph on highway with clearly marked lanes; vehicle drifted across three lanes with zero corrective action from LKA.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Mazda CX-50 specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Mazda CX-50. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Mazda CX-50 window sticker.
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Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Mazda CX-50 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the CX-50 holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Mazda CX-50 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Mazda CX-50 get?
The Mazda CX-50 returns up to 38 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine. Pick an engine to see its city / highway / combined rating by year:
| Year | City | Highway | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 CX-50 | 24 | 30 | 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 2024 CX-50 | 24 | 30 | 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 2025 CX-50 | 25 | 31 | 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 2026 CX-50 | 24 | 30 | 2.5L 4-cyl |
| Year | City | Highway | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 CX-50 | 39 | 37 | 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2026 CX-50 | 39 | 37 | 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid |
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov — best combined rating per engine & year. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
What engines does the Mazda CX-50 have? Power & range
The Mazda CX-50 is offered with 2 powertrains — 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.5L · 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4WD | Regular |
| Hybrid | 2.5L · 4-cyl | CVT | 4WD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Mazda CX-50 tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Mazda CX-50 is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your CX-50's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
How much does a Mazda CX-50 cost to own?
A Mazda CX-50 holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Check what a used CX-50 is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this CX-50 loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $8,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the CX-50 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Mazda CX-50 to insure?
A Mazda CX-50 costs about $1,067 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 26% below the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (74, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the CX-50's HLDI loss index. See Mazda insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Mazda CX-50 safe?
The Mazda CX-50 earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall safety — real government crash-test data. Ratings by year:
| Year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 CX-50 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2025 CX-50 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2024 CX-50 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2023 CX-50 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested model years.
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How many miles does a Mazda CX-50 last?
A well-maintained Mazda CX-50 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Decode your Mazda CX-50’s window sticker & build
Original options, specs, recalls and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Decode VIN →All Mazda CX-50 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Mazda CX-50 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 CX-50 | 0 | ★★★★★ | |
| 2025 CX-50 | 4 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2024 CX-50 | 1 recall | ★★★★★ | |
| 2023 CX-50 | 2 recalls | ★★★★★ |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the CX-50?
By owner-complaint volume, 2023, 2025, 2024 drew the most reports. 2026, 2024, 2025 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the CX-50 have?
7 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2023–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the CX-50 get?
Up to 38 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
Is the CX-50 safe?
The CX-50 earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall crash-test safety; ratings vary by model year.
How many miles does a CX-50 last?
A well-maintained CX-50 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the CX-50 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the CX-50 is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Mazda CX-50 warranty?
New Mazda models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Mazda dealer.
Where is the Mazda CX-50 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your CX-50's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Mazda may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the CX-50 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.