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2015 Mazda CX-5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Mazda CX-5 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 133.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

93 reports with mileage · 40 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

Power Train complaints

19 reports
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25,000 miles · Feb 20, 2024
EnginePower Train

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 …

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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 scheduled. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #11572876

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2022
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

2015 Mazda CX-5 with 91,000 miles on it. Automatic transmission has failed. When I attempted to pull out into traffic the vehicle would not shift into 2nd gear and instead jerked hard and the engine RPMs revved up. I was not able to get the vehicle past 10mph. This failure with the transmission resulted in the oncoming traff…

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2015 Mazda CX-5 with 91,000 miles on it. Automatic transmission has failed. When I attempted to pull out into traffic the vehicle would not shift into 2nd gear and instead jerked hard and the engine RPMs revved up. I was not able to get the vehicle past 10mph. This failure with the transmission resulted in the oncoming traffic having to swerve and break to avoid a collision with me. The vehicle was taken to a Mazda dealership who did a diagnostic on it and found that the Mazda had an "internal transmission failure" and would require a full replacement. I asked if it would be replaced with the same exact transmission and was told "no, the defect was discovered by Mazda and has been correct for new transmission models." The manufacture knows about this issue. Luckily I escaped serious bodily injury. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer as well as an independent 3rd party transmission repair specialist. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to this incident to give warning.

NHTSA ODI #11483555

Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2022
Power Train

Transmission failed, and vehicle is available for inspection. The incident occurred after exiting a highway and coming to halt at stop light. Vehicle wouldn't exceed above 5 mph after moving forward, it surged, downshifted, and come to a complete stop. This created an incident where other motorist nearly rear ended occupants in …

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Transmission failed, and vehicle is available for inspection. The incident occurred after exiting a highway and coming to halt at stop light. Vehicle wouldn't exceed above 5 mph after moving forward, it surged, downshifted, and come to a complete stop. This created an incident where other motorist nearly rear ended occupants in subject vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by both dealer as well as independent mechanic and before were able to replicate the issue. No warning lamps or messages appeared. There were no other signs of a potential problem prior to failure. The failure was sudden and unexpected.

NHTSA ODI #11456004

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2022
Power Train

Car had 63,000 miles on it. Began making very loud noise. Brought to private mechanic, then dealer. Both agreed car had mechanical failure of rear differential. The full system needed replacing for safety. All agreed this should not occur with only 63,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI #11451604

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2021
Power Train

The transmission quit on my at 59K miles. Wont go into drive, but will in reverse. I took the care to a transmission shop, and it needs rebuilt. No warning lamps, messages, etc. I was stopped at a red light, luckily I wasn't driving at it just stopped.

NHTSA ODI #11429003

85,023 miles · Mar 15, 2021
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND AUTOMATICALLY BRAKED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. WOULD NOT ADVANCE AND TO THE NEXT GEAR AND AUTOMATICALLY KEPT BREAKING EVERY FEW FEET. HAD TO PULL OVER AND BE TOWED. NO ADVANCE WARNING OR PRIOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. CAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN KEPT UP. LUCKY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON A HIG…

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TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND AUTOMATICALLY BRAKED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. WOULD NOT ADVANCE AND TO THE NEXT GEAR AND AUTOMATICALLY KEPT BREAKING EVERY FEW FEET. HAD TO PULL OVER AND BE TOWED. NO ADVANCE WARNING OR PRIOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. CAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN KEPT UP. LUCKY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON A HIGHWAY GOING 65.

NHTSA ODI #11403025

68,000 miles · Dec 7, 2020
Power Train

CAR IS SLIPPING. TRANSMISSION IS SKIPPING GEARS AT LOW SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI #11378396

71,500 miles · Oct 8, 2020
Power Train

MY CAR'S TRANSMISSON WOULD JUST BREAK DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY 69 AT PRESCOTT, ARIZONA AND FINALLY STOP THERE AND CANNOT MOVE AROUND OR PULL OVER AT ALL. IF THIS ISSUE HAPPENS, THIS WOULD CAUSE A SERVERE REAR ENDED ACCIDENT AND A POTENTIAL CAUSE OF ACCIDENT. LUCKILY, THERE WAS TELEPHONE CONNECTION AND WE CAN CALL A COP …

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MY CAR'S TRANSMISSON WOULD JUST BREAK DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY 69 AT PRESCOTT, ARIZONA AND FINALLY STOP THERE AND CANNOT MOVE AROUND OR PULL OVER AT ALL. IF THIS ISSUE HAPPENS, THIS WOULD CAUSE A SERVERE REAR ENDED ACCIDENT AND A POTENTIAL CAUSE OF ACCIDENT. LUCKILY, THERE WAS TELEPHONE CONNECTION AND WE CAN CALL A COP AND A TOWING TRUCK. OTHERWISE, IT WILL CAUSE SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT AND TRAFIFIC JAM. THIS ISSUE MUST BE DEALT WITH . THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION WOULD JUST BREAK DOWN RIGHT AFTER 5YEARS AND 60K MILES WARRANTY WHILE MOST CARS WILL BE LIKE 150K MILES. INSTEAD OF BEING RESPONSIBLE TO THE CUSTOMER, THEY NEVER CARE ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION. I AM DOUBTING THE RELAIBILITY OF MAZDA TRANSMISSSION AND BELIVE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THAT. FOR ROAD SAFETY AND TO MAKE SURE NO CAR WILL SUDDENLY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD DUE TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND MAZDA NEED TO RECALL ITS AUTO WITH PROBLEMATIC UNRELIABLE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION WILL COST A LOT FOR ITS CUSTOMER TO FIX. IT IS ALSO UNFAIR FOR MAZDA OWENER. TO PROTECT MY PRIVACY, I AM NOT GOING TO UPLOAD WHOLE WORK ORDER ESTIMATE BUT AA IMAGE SHOW THE PRICE AND HOW BADLY THE TRANSMISSION BREAK DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY.IF NEEDED AND MY PRIVACY CAN BE ENSURED, I CAN PROVIDE THE WHOLE WORK ORDER ESTIMATE.

NHTSA ODI #11363474

60,074 miles · Mar 4, 2020
Power Train

AFTER A 700 MILE TRIP FROM ARIZONA TO CALIFORNIA ON THE HIGHWAY, MY MAZDA'S CX-5 WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AND REACHING 5 MPH THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY FEEL AS IF IT WERE BREAKING, CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD. THIS OCCURRED WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE DOWN THE STREET. IMAGINE IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN WHI…

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AFTER A 700 MILE TRIP FROM ARIZONA TO CALIFORNIA ON THE HIGHWAY, MY MAZDA'S CX-5 WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AND REACHING 5 MPH THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY FEEL AS IF IT WERE BREAKING, CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD. THIS OCCURRED WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE DOWN THE STREET. IMAGINE IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH.

NHTSA ODI #11316034

79,000 miles · Jan 13, 2020
Power Train

AWD POWERTRAIN FAILURE AFTER 5YRS, 79,000 MILES. POWER TO REAR WHEELS DISENGAGED. HEAVY INTERMITTENT METALLIC CLUNKING SOUND EMITTED FROM REAR AXLE WHEN IN MOTION UNDER POWER, ESPECIALLY IN SLOW TIGHT TURNS, OR BACKING UP. MECHANIC IDENTIFIES FAILURE POINT AT THE VISCOUS COUPLING OF DRIVE SHAFT TO REAR DIFFERENTIAL. NO RECALLS…

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AWD POWERTRAIN FAILURE AFTER 5YRS, 79,000 MILES. POWER TO REAR WHEELS DISENGAGED. HEAVY INTERMITTENT METALLIC CLUNKING SOUND EMITTED FROM REAR AXLE WHEN IN MOTION UNDER POWER, ESPECIALLY IN SLOW TIGHT TURNS, OR BACKING UP. MECHANIC IDENTIFIES FAILURE POINT AT THE VISCOUS COUPLING OF DRIVE SHAFT TO REAR DIFFERENTIAL. NO RECALLS FROM MAZDA; REPAIR IS REPLACEMENT OF THIS COUPLING AND THE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, ~ $2000 PARTS AND LABOR. THANK YOU MAZDA, FOR A POORLY ENGINEERED AWD DRIVETRAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11299125

Official recalls

3

16V644000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

Sep 6, 2016

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 & remedy

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.

16V203000 · Steering

Apr 11, 2016

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 & remedy

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.

16V064000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Feb 3, 2016

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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