2021 Mazda CX-5 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2021 Mazda CX-5 report one dominant theme: the low-engine-oil warning lighting up well before the next scheduled oil change, often within a few thousand miles, including on turbocharged cars. A smaller but consistent set of complaints covers rough low-speed drivability, the forward collision avoidance system braking or warning with nothing ahead, and infotainment glitches. Many reports describe the first oil warning as the first sign of a problem, with no visible leak on the ground.

1. 1
   Engine

   Low oil warning between oil changes (oil consumption)

   • 55 complaints (37%)
   • median 26,450 mi at 1.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe the low engine oil level warning appearing well before the next scheduled oil change, commonly after about 3,000 to 4,000 miles, with no oil visible on the ground. Several say they topped the oil off themselves or that the dealer advised them to keep adding oil and check the level regularly; a few report being told the consumption was normal for a new engine. Some reports include a burning oil smell on the highway before the light came on, and owners cite service bulletin wording about a gap that allows oil past the valve stem seals. Reported from a few thousand miles upward, often in the first 15,000 miles, and mostly on turbocharged cars.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the dipstick at the pre-purchase inspection and ask for the oil-change records, then ask whether any oil-consumption service program or warranty extension has been applied to the car. Watch for the low oil warning between changes during an extended test drive period.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car appears to consuming oil excessively. I bought this car new in March of 2021 at I have had to top off my oil between oil changes at almost every single oil change since I have owned it. The car only has 33900 miles on it and usually about two months in from my oil change the check oil light comes on and the dipstick shows the oil at the lower end of the dipstick. I have purchased oil on my own and have had to have the dealer top it off. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11489086, filed 2022-10, 33,900 miles

   “oil consumption on a 2021 Turbo CX-5. problem has been reproduced and confirmed by dealer. warning lights twice. first time told it was normal. happened twice. only on my third maintenance oil change was it acknowledged. had to do a lot of research on my own. caused enormous stress to existing mental health issues. would not have even been addressed had i not stated the issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11500032, filed 2023-01
2. 2
   Forward collision avoidance

   Forward collision braking or warning with no obstacle

   • 19 complaints (13%)
   • median 41,314 mi at 3.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe the forward collision warning or automatic emergency braking activating when nothing was in the path, sometimes with a hard, sudden brake application at highway speed. Some report the system then disabling itself with a warning message on the dash, and a few describe the car veering or surging during the event. Some note the radar behind the front emblem is affected by heavy weather or snow buildup, and dealers were reported as unable to reproduce the problem on a test drive. Reported from a few thousand miles up to well over 100,000 miles, often at highway speeds and sometimes with low sun, shadows or snow.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the front camera and radar have had any updates or replacement, and confirm the forward collision and lane systems pass a self-test on the dash at startup. Note that snow or heavy rain on the emblem can interrupt adaptive cruise control.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I experienced a sudden unintended acceleration incident. I pulled into my driveway and stopped the vehicle with my foot firmly on the brake since my driveway is sloped. I pushed the garage door opener remote when suddenly the vehicle accelerated and shot forward hitting the garage door. There was no brake action and all backup systems failed. There was no Automatic Emergency Braking or Forward Collision Warning. There were no warning lights displayed. No airbags were deployed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11502968, filed 2023-01

   “2021 Mazda CX5 AWD- Non Turbo Engine. Sunny Day, Dry. My Car was clean. No Precipitation. Some shadows of the interstate light poles across the road 200-300 feet in front of me, but they were thin shadows. Sun Was to my Left. I was driving South on May 01 2026 about 10am on the Interstate going Highway Speeds, with adaptive cruise control on , in the 2nd lane of a 4 lane interstate. Thankfully no other traffic ahead or behind me. Car slammed on the brakes suddenly, pretty hard. I counteracted and added more gas pedal to keep in going. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11735370, filed 2026-05
3. 3
   Engine

   Rough running and shuddering at low speed

   • 18 complaints (12%)
   • median 81,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Complaints describe the car feeling like it is jumping, stuttering or hunting for a gear at low speeds, especially below about 30 mph in residential driving. Some tie the vibration to cylinder deactivation engaging and compare it to driving over cobblestones. Dealers reportedly said there was little to do beyond a possible computer software update, and some owners report no follow-up from the manufacturer. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles to past 80,000, at low speeds and light throttle.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: During the test drive, drive slowly in a quiet area with light, steady throttle and see whether the car shudders or surges. Ask whether any powertrain software updates have been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When the cylinder deactivation system triggers It causes the engine/car to shake and stutter. Somtimes it's suttle and other times if feels like the car is going to stall out. It's a vibration that makes it feel like your driving over cobblestones. This has been ongoing for a few months now. I'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow. It appears to be the same problem as the 2018-2019 Recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11449830, filed 2022-02

   “Vehicle drives very rough at low speeds less than 30 mph. The car feels like it is jumping and can't tell at what year it should be driving in. This is very noticeable when driving around residential areas. This is a common issue with the Mazdas with the Skyactive engines. Dealership in Raleigh knew about this problem and said that there is nothing they can do except possibly provide an update to the computer software. I have written to Mazda corporation regarding this and of course, no response was received. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11527084, filed 2023-06
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Infotainment screen blank or audio dropping out

   • 11 complaints (7%)
   • median 57,814 mi at 3.3 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Complaints describe the center display going black while the radio keeps playing, which also takes the backup camera out of service; a restart sometimes brings it back and sometimes does not. Others report audio cutting out until the car sits overnight or the battery is disconnected. Dealers were reported as having no fix or as not being able to reproduce it. Reported across the mileage range, including on low-mileage cars, and often intermittent.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Cycle through the infotainment menus and the backup camera during the test drive and confirm the screen stays on. Ask the dealer whether any infotainment software updates or reboots have been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Our 2021 Mazda CX-5 infotainment/backup screen went black/blank. I could still hear radio, but when vehicle put in reverse, backup camera not working. Tried a recommended “fix” which was putting vehicle in reverse and pushing down volume knob for 3 seconds which did not work. Turned vehicle off, waited a minute and then restarted but screen still black and backup camera not working. After vehicle sat for approximately 15 minutes, restarted vehicle and system back to normal. Contacted decker and they had no fix. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11528937, filed 2023-06

   “Radio audio randomly stopped working and you have to disconnect the negative or you have to leave the car off essentially all night. It’s definitely unknown issue there’s videos all over YouTube about it and there’s forms on read about it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11699663, filed 2025-11
5. 5
   Engine

   Oil leaks at seals and covers

   • 26 complaints (18%)
   • median 57,000 mi at 1.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Some owners report oil seepage rather than consumption alone, including leaks around the timing cover and gasket and at multiple engine seals, in a few cases at relatively low mileage. Complaints describe a dealer topping up or replacing a seal and the leak returning; others say repair approval was declined unless the check engine light was on. Reported from around 15,000 miles up to about 70,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the car put on a lift before buying and look for fresh oil residue around the timing cover and lower engine seams; ask whether any seal repairs have been done and whether they were covered under warranty.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Oil burning and leaking as well after only 14,500 miles. I see there is a Class Action lawsuit filed against Mazda in late May of 2022 regarding faulty oil stem seals that cause oil to leak into the combustion chamber which will eventually cause O2 sensors to fail, catalytic convertors and engine valve failure. Dealer acted like they never knew about this issue and initially told me it was normal while the engine breaks in to burn oil. They attributed the leak to a faulty oil filter they put on during my recent oil change on July 8. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11477567, filed 2022-08

   “The car is consuming excessive engine oil. Between 3000-4000 miles the low engine oil light comes on. I was on the highway and had to pull over. I was told we don’t need oil change until 5000 miles. Not feeling safe to drive long distance. Dealership acknowledged seal is causing the leaks, but said Mazda won’t cover the cost unless check engine light is on. Also the break pads are moving slightly when breaking, dealership said it’s normal due to break pads are moving back and forth when breaking. However, I can hear the breaks clicking.”

   NHTSA complaint #11509129, filed 2023-02

Buying note. Have a mechanic check oil level and look for leaks before purchase, and ask for records showing whether any oil-consumption program or software update has been applied to this car. During the test drive, take it slowly through a quiet residential area and try the backup camera and forward collision systems to check for the rough-running and screen problems owners describe.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.