The most-reported CX-5 run is JM3KE4DY6G0 (2016 builds) with 35 complaints, 13× the typical run. Engine problems make up 23% of reports; 2016 is the worst model year at 6.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for CX-5 model years 2013–2019.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mazda CX-5 has 772 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 6% of every CX-5 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JM3KE4DY6G0•••••• | 2016 | — | 1 | |
| JM3KE4DY2G0•••••• | 2016 | 1 | — | |
| JM3KE4DYXG0•••••• | 2016 | 2 | — | |
| JM3KE4DY1G0•••••• | 2016 | 1 | — | |
| JM3KE4DY7G0•••••• | 2016 | 2 | — | |
| JM3KE4DY5G0•••••• | 2016 | 2 | 2 | |
| JM3KE4DY3G0•••••• | 2016 | 2 | — | |
| JM3KE4DY0G0•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| JM3KE4DY8G0•••••• | 2016 | 1 | — | |
| JM3KE4DY4G0•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| JM3KE2DY2G0•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| JM3KE4DY9G0•••••• | 2016 | — | — |
Each of the other 760 CX-5 runs has 14 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 442 CX-5 VINs so far, most often 2025, 2021, 2023 builds; 12 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mazda CX-5 the gap between build years is 4.2×: a 2016 car draws 6.3 complaints per run, a 2020 one 1.5.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 | 10 | — | |
| 2025 | 28 | 22 | 4 | |
| 2024 | 45 | 39 | 4 | |
| 2023 | 62 | 32 | 7 | |
| 2022 | 65 | 46 | 5 | |
| 2021 | 147 | 77 | 10 | |
| 2020 | 105 | 70 | 10 | |
| 2019 | 269 | 110 | 7 | |
| 2018 | 120 | 62 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 149 | 51 | 5 | |
| 2016 | 481 | 76 | 29 | |
| 2015 | 121 | 53 | 11 | |
| 2014 | 328 | 72 | 6 | |
| 2013 | 173 | 61 | 6 |
Heaviest year here is 2016 at 6.3 complaints per run; lightest is 2024 at 1.2. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 23% of everything Mazda CX-5 owners report: Engine, 501 of 2,107 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13 | 4 | |
| Electrical System | 14 | 9 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 | 1 | |
| Power Train | 11 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 37 | — | |
| Visibility/wiper | — | 1 | |
| Structure | 7 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 9 recall campaigns on the Mazda CX-5; the 6 below cover build years 2013 to 2019. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 16V644000 | Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate | 2013–2016 |
| 16V064000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap | 2014–2016 |
| 16V203000 | Steering | 2014–2016 |
| 16E002000 | Visibility:windshield | 2014–2016 |
| 19V497000 | Engine | 2018–2019 |
| 21V875000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2018–2019 |
16V644000 was opened in 2016 on cars built from 2013: 3 years on the road before the recall.
The CX-5 against its rivals
The CX-5 draws 2.7 complaints per production run; the Toyota RAV4 2.3, the Jeep Wrangler 4.7 and the Honda CR-V 3.7.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-5 | 2,107 | 772 | 5% | |
| Toyota RAV4 | 8,453 | 3,661 | 8.5% | |
| Jeep Wrangler | 14,316 | 3,055 | 3.2% | |
| Honda CR-V | 14,848 | 4,017 | 5.1% |
How serious were they
Of the 2,107 reports on the Mazda CX-5, 5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Mazda CX-5 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 2,107 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 105 (5%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 15 (0.7%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 67 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mazda CX-5 share of that is 2,107 complaints over 772 runs, 0.19% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Mazda CX-5 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2,107 NHTSA complaints from 772 CX-5 runs and 9 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which CX-5 production run has the most complaints?
JM3KE4DY6G0, a 2016 build, with 35 complaints. The typical CX-5 run has 2.7.
Which CX-5 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2016 is heaviest at 6.3 complaints per run and 2024 lightest at 1.2.
Does the CX-5 get more complaints than the Toyota RAV4?
Yes: 2.7 complaints per production run for the CX-5 against 2.3 for the Toyota RAV4.
How many CX-5 complaints involve a crash?
5% of 2,107 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 15 involved a fire.
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