2021 Mazda CX-5 Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 12%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 256miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2021 Mazda CX-5, 12% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 256 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The paint on this car is notoriously poor and Mazda is aware. We purchased this vehicle on 16 february 2021, drove it home and left it in the driveway due to snow/ice. On thursday, 18 february instead of brushing or scraping off the ice we left it to melt. Unfortunately, the ice melt left huge scratches on the hood. There is no reason for ice/snow to cause this much damage. We reviewed a number of websites and it appears that Mazda is aware of this inferior paint and has done nothing to rectify the problem. But they do charge $595 more for it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11397842, filed 2021-02, 12 miles“The informant controls are not safe to use while driving. Way to many sub groups to scroll through just to get the radio to work. Very confusing and distracting.”
NHTSA complaint #11399575, filed 2021-03, 500 miles“the “trailing link shaft” broke/split/tore apart at the right rear wheel. my car only has 16,500 miles. the vehicle was inspected by auto manufacturing dealer (mazda). mazda refused to admit it’s realting to manufacturing defect(s). i did not report it to police or my auto insurance carrier at that moment because i did not know what the issues were not until i dropped it off to my local dealer”
NHTSA complaint #11677457, filed 2025-07“My CX-5 has 25,000 miles and recently the a/c failed culminating in a distinct chemical smell in the cabin. The issue was identified as a leaking/failed evaporator which apparently is located behind the dashboard and in turn “dump” the leaking refrigerant into the cabin! The total cost of repair due to the location of the evaporator is between $3000-$4500 in my area, seems a high cost to be poisoned by a vehicle that only has 25,000 miles on the clock!”
NHTSA complaint #11756577, filed 2026-08“2021 Mazda cr-5 Automatic rear hatch comes open on its own. This has happened 6-7 times. I make sure the car is locked and have come back to parking lot to find the hatch open. I have even locked the car and when I have walked to door of Walmart (long way off) and look back the hatch is not open. When I come back out, the rear hatch is open. I took to dealership and they could not rectify the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11443284, filed 2021-12Related service bulletins
- 11037900Sep 17, 2026Mazda Connected Services - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs listed below. The changes are noted in Red text.
- 11037634Sep 10, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued service alert listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-038/26 08/18/26 and 06/15/26 DESCRIPTION Some customers may…
- 11037018Sep 4, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued service alert listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-038/26 06/15/26 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain…
- 11037012Aug 20, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued Service Alerts listed below: The changes are noted in Red. Infotainment Reboot With Navigation Card Installed This Service…
- 11037019Aug 19, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-039/26 06/15/26 Mazda Connect Symptom Troubleshooting DESCRIPTION…
- 11037010Aug 18, 2026DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about SiriusXM Travel Link, Traffic Plus showing expired even though the customer purchased a paid subscription. SiriusXM audio packages…
- 11034448Jul 1, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-017/25 12/16/25, 09/08/25, 07/14/25, 05/15/25 and 03/21/25 DESCRIPTION…
- 11034436Jun 18, 2026This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 09-012/21 12/13/21, 06/10/21 and 04/27/21 DESCRIPTION Some customers may…
- 11034444Jun 16, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-009/25 08/22/25 and 02/18/25 DESCRIPTION Some customers may experience a…
- 11034443Jun 16, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-012/25 10/06/25, 08/21/25, 05/15/25 and 02/27/25 DESCRIPTION Customers…
Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 47% |
| 2025 | 8 | 28% |
| 2024 | 11 | 24% |
| 2023 | 11 | 16% |
| 2022 | 10 | 15% |
| 2021 | 18 | 12% |
| 2020 | 25 | 23% |
| 2019 | 50 | 18% |
| 2018 | 59 | 17% |
| 2017 | 35 | 23% |
| 2016 | 58 | 11% |
| 2015 | 16 | 12% |
| 2014 | 58 | 15% |
| 2013 | 28 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2021 Mazda CX-5
80 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsForward collision avoidance
11 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsLane departure
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsTires
3 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Mazda CX-5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology