2015 Mazda CX-5 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Mazda CX-5, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
38
Recalls
3
Crashes
5
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Median mileage
75,500 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 10 of 38 complaints (26%).
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (5) and engine (5) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 75,500 mi.
  • Owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries.
  • The 2015 Mazda CX-5 has 3 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 9th of 14 Mazda CX-5 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 51% fewer complaints than the 2014 model year (78).

2015 Mazda CX-5 problems by category

  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    10 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion · 1 crash
    5 complaints
  • Other / Unknown · 2 crashes
    5 complaints
  • Engine · 1 crash
    5 complaints
  • Brakes · 2 crashes
    4 complaints
  • Body & Structure · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Airbags · 2 crashes
    3 complaints
  • Electrical System
    3 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    2 complaints
  • Suspension
    2 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    2 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    1 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Power train10
Unknown or other5
Engine5
Service brakes4
Fuel/propulsion system3
Air bags3
Fuel system, gasoline2
Electrical system2

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k110k–30k230k–60k1260k–100k5100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2015 Mazda CX-5 complaints that list mileage.

2015 Mazda CX-5 recalls (3)

  • Recall 16V644000Sep 6, 2016580,455 vehicles
    STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 16V203000Apr 11, 2016578 vehicles
    STEERING

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 16V064000Feb 3, 2016268,799 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

    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."

    Risk: 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.

Recent 2015 Mazda CX-5 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 10, 2025NCDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
    With a heavy downpour of rain the bsm flashes off, then after sitting for a few hours the car battery dies and the key fob is not recognized in the vehicle. Took it to a dealership and it stopped doing it. Code that are thrown have to do with some computer communication failing. I have had the car die on me 4 times in the last year that I’ve had it.
    NHTSA complaint #11686403 · source
  2. Filed Jul 17, 2025CACrashBrakesFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown
    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 sometime later inside my garage. The car rammed into the drywall while I tried to stop by pressing the brake pedal. I took the car to the AAA repair shop in August 2024. They spent three…
    NHTSA complaint #11674250 · source
  3. Filed Aug 1, 2024VAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    While driving on the freeway the check engine light came on. I was able to drive the car home the remaining 20 minutes but there was some noticeable difficulty accelerating. When I went to turn on the car later that day the engine would not turn over and there was an audible rattling/chugging sound and the car itself shook. I was unable to get the car to start and the check engine light remained on. I had AAA check the battery the next day and confirm it was not a battery…
    NHTSA complaint #11605868 · source
  4. Filed Feb 20, 202425,000 miILEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2015 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while pressing the brake pedal the engine had experienced very high revving and the vehicle would lurch forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who performed a PCM and TCM program update and reset the KAM per the manufacturers TSB. The contact indicated that the failure was corrected for a while but recently the failure had reoccurred. The local dealer was contacted and a service appointment was…
    NHTSA complaint #11572876 · source
  5. Filed Sep 21, 2023110,000 miMAWheels & Tires
    The contact owns a 2015 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated the tires deflating abnormally. The contact stated that the tires needed to be inflated on a weekly basis. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rims were improperly fitted to suit multiple tires, causing the tires to deflate. The vehicle had not been repaired. The tires had been replaced by several other brand tires however, the failure persisted. The dealer…
    NHTSA complaint #11545786 · source
  6. Filed Sep 2, 2023UT1 injuredOther / Unknown
    While driving on the interstate, the passenger side front door glass shattered unexpectedly causing an eye injury. There was no noise of a rock hitting the glass or anything. Previous to the incident, the glass had no cracks or chips in it.
    NHTSA complaint #11542220 · source
  7. Filed Aug 17, 2023NYFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    Occasionally have sudden unintended acceleration. Went to dealer, no codes shown. Replaced battery and did throttle service. Happens 1 or 2 times a month generally within first 5 minutes of trip when attempting to stop. While braking , rpm's go to 3k and brakes barely hold car stopped, so I throw it in neutral to stop...rpms eventually go down to normal. It's obviously a very dangerous situation. Im going to make another appt with dealer again but not optimistic because no…
    NHTSA complaint #11539137 · source
  8. Filed Jul 20, 2023GABody & StructureFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owned a 2015 Mazda CX-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V064000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 16V644000 (Structure) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list as she no longer owns the vehicle. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
    NHTSA complaint #11533463 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology