2020 Mazda CX-5 problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 107 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Mazda CX-5, most often about electrical system. There are 0 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 107
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 10
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 6
- Median mileage
- 3,200 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 30 of 107 complaints (28%).
- Engine (18) and driver assistance & safety tech (18) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 3,200 mi.
- Owners reported 10 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries.
- It ranks 5th of 14 Mazda CX-5 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 59% fewer complaints than the 2019 model year (260).
2020 Mazda CX-5 problems by category
- Electrical System · 1 crash30 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 1 crash26 complaints
- Engine18 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 4 crashes18 complaints
- Brakes · 6 crashes14 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain8 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control · 3 crashes6 complaints
- Body & Structure · 1 crash6 complaints
- Airbags · 1 crash5 complaints
- Lighting · 1 crash4 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion4 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers4 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts2 complaints
- Wheels & Tires2 complaints
- Steering1 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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical system | 28 |
| Unknown or other | 25 |
| Engine | 17 |
| Service brakes | 13 |
| Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking | 8 |
| Power train | 7 |
| Forward collision avoidance: warnings | 6 |
| Air bags | 5 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2020 Mazda CX-5 recalls (0)
No recalls on file.
Recent 2020 Mazda CX-5 complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Sep 27, 2026NCCrashTowedDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control
When coasting into a parking space the car suddenly accelerated. At a high rate of speed, the car jumped the curb and planting area of median separating the parking area. The car struck 2 other cars on the other side of the median. The car directly in front of my car was moved several feet. My air bag deployed.
NHTSA complaint #11767211 · source - Filed Aug 10, 2026COOther / Unknown
I purchased a brand new Mazda CX5 in 2020 that now has 46,000 miles on it. It is experiencing the known “ghost touch” issue in which the entertainment system and screen displayed in the center of the dashboard turns itself off and on, changes settings, shuts off navigation while driving, changes the radio from FM to AM, changes the time zone, drops hand free phone calls, initiatives hands free phone calls, does not allow me to control the volume, freezes, and more, while…
NHTSA complaint #11756022 · source - Filed Jun 19, 2026MEEngine
Cylinder Head has failed at 53,000 miles. Mazda has a technical service bulletin acknowledging that this is a common occurrence with this part. They have an extended warranty for the turbo engine but not for the standard engine. Looking through online forums, there are hundreds of not thousands of these issues for this model year and engine. Mazda has clearly acknowledged there is an issue and should repair these manufacturing defects that are not normal wear and tear items.
NHTSA complaint #11745274 · source - Filed Jun 10, 2026ALElectrical System
The infotainment display screen on my 2020 Mazda CX-5 has suffered a severe hardware failure resulting in un-commanded inputs, commonly known as "ghost touching." While driving at highway speeds, the touchscreen constantly registers phantom touches. It actively hijacks the vehicle's computer system and cuts out my Apple CarPlay connection during trips. This morning, the ghost touching randomly turned the Apple Maps navigation volume up to the absolute maximum level without…
NHTSA complaint #11743236 · source - Filed Jun 8, 2026PAVisibility & Wipers
Read windshield just shattered while driving down the highway. No object hit the windshield. On I-95 near PHL airport, near exit for Rt 420
NHTSA complaint #11742819 · source - Filed Apr 16, 2026CAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
The vehicle infotainment system including the touchscreen display and Connectivity Master Unit malfunctioned. The touchscreen operates without driver input, the system freezes or glitches, audio activates unexpectedly, and phone functions behave erratically. The vehicle and components are available for inspection upon request. While the vehicle was being driven, the system initiated actions without driver input including unintended phone calls including calls to 911, sudden…
NHTSA complaint #11731620 · source - Filed Apr 8, 2026IAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
The car has signs of current recall in other Cx-5 Models. Hesitation with acceleration or driving at high speed, reduced power, not responding appropriately when accelerating or would accelerate on its own, strong smell of gas after the car has been driven and is parked. I know there is currently a recall for a gas pump failure. There is no engine light on.
NHTSA complaint #11730088 · source - Filed Apr 8, 2026IAAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts
Air bag light is flashing in the dashboard. It says passenger air bag off. Driver seatbelt doesn't always click when trying to fastent seatbelt. I have to try multiple times until it clicks.
NHTSA complaint #11730087 · 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