2021 Mazda CX-5
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the CX-5 2WD, is EPA-rated at 28 mpg combined. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year so far (Safety Signal A). Owners have filed 143 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-5 2WD | Gas | FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 25 | 31 | 28 | $2,250 |
| CX-5 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 24 | 30 | 26 | $2,400 |
| CX-5 2WD | Gas | FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 23 | 28 | 25 | $2,500 |
| CX-5 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 22 | 27 | 24 | $2,600 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43125, 43133, 43126, 43134.
Factory warranty running out?
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.
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Recalls (0)
Source: NHTSA recall databaseNo NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for the 2021 Mazda CX-5. New campaigns appear here within a week of NHTSA posting them.
Owner complaints
Source: NHTSA complaint database9 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 7 injuries · 0 deaths reported
Filed per year: 2021: 15 · 2022: 46 · 2023: 26 · 2024: 22 · 2025: 17 · 2026: 17
Most-cited components
What owners describe
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
Source: NHTSA NCAP| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 17% |
| SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 17% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.
Other CX-5 model years
2026 Mazda CX-5
0 recalls · 14 complaints
A2025 Mazda CX-5
0 recalls · 27 complaints
A2024 Mazda CX-5
0 recalls · 43 complaints
A2023 Mazda CX-5
0 recalls · 62 complaints
A2022 Mazda CX-5
0 recalls · 63 complaints
A2020 Mazda CX-5
0 recalls · 106 complaints
B2019 Mazda CX-5
2 recalls · 269 complaints
C2018 Mazda CX-5
3 recalls · 348 complaints
A2017 Mazda CX-5
1 recalls · 148 complaints
D2016 Mazda CX-5
4 recalls · 510 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.