2020 Mazda CX-5
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 107 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 14 CX-5 model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 10 involved a crash. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
107 reports, newest first.
Engine, Mar 3, 2023
The engine of this vehicle has been leaking from different areas consistently. The first leak was the timing cover gasket not properly sealing from manufacture. The dealership covered this under warranty without push back. I then identified a weep from the oil pan gasket during a normal oil change interval. This gasket leak was again from manufacture. I had watched this leak and it seemed to be getting worse over changes and evolved beyond a weep. I also found oil leaking onto one of the spark plugs when changed around 56K miles. I brought it to the dealership and received much push back, conducted oil consumption test for a visible leak, and then placed dye in the oil. It was identified as the oil pan gasket leaking. After much hesitation I eventually was able to get this "repaired" by the dealership at 57K miles. We are now nearly crossing 65K miles and a new leak has presented, enough to cause the low oil light to illuminate and pooling of oil on the access cover. I have yet to identify the source but I am again bringing this to the dealer. Safety concern is that my wife and toddler were an hour away from home on the side of the highway when this light illuminated and had to stop on the side of the road in the cold weather and turn the car off. They could be pulled over in unsafe areas or even be stranded in the cold - or risk seizing the engine to stay warm.
Engine, Feb 8, 2023
Faulty engine coolant thermostat causing cooler than normal range engine. Engine light code P0126
Service brakes, Air, Dec 2, 2022
2020 MAZDA CX-5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO THE EMERGENCY BRAKING FEATURE ON VEHICLE.
Air bags, Oct 13, 2022, crash
Airbags did not deploy when I crashed into a guard rail dragging for 40-50 feet.
Engine, Oct 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed stopped at a light, he noticed that the vehicle moved forward and the RPM was fluctuating from 600-1,000. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was duplicated; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.
Engine, Jun 19, 2022
For some reason this vehicle will make a whoop sound after driving it for a little then idle, either at a stop light or sitting in a parking lot. The first time we heard it we thought that there was a police vehicle in the area. We took it to Mazda dealership, and they didn't what why it was making that sound. The vehicle has less than 25K miles. We are not sure if it could be a big safety issue or not but would like Mazda to look into this. There are no warning lights or signs to know when it's coming. The Mazda dealership in our area has no clue and it is annoying hearing this whoop sound.
Engine, May 26, 2022
At mileage of 24,993 and on April 24, 2022 my oil light came on, creating a very unsafe situation for myself and my young son, nearly stranding us on a very isolated road after dark. My vehicle has regular maintenance at the dealer and was not due for an oil change until 25,378 miles or June 13, 2022. About 30 miles prior to the engine oil light coming on, my car indicated that an Oil Change was due (prematurely). I added oil to be able to drive it to the dealer who has not verified any issues.
Structure, Feb 22, 2022
High pitch noise coming from upper side of vehicle while driving on a freeway with strong side winds (35-40mph wind gusts).
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Oct 21, 2021
1st issue - System monitor restarts without warning. Just driving along with only one iPhone plugged in the monitor shows a spinning "wheel" saying restarting while driving, 2nd issue - with two iPhones plugged in it starts having more issues. Stops charging second iPhone connects then reconnects constantly. Then stops (see picture) 3rd issue - With only one iPhone plugged in and running navigation from iPhone, the system disconnects from iPhone but no voice unless we disconnect, 4th issue - While driving in adaptive cruise control and braking for people stopping the cruise control will not re-start. It shows on- keep pressing resume - but will not engage (above 40 mph) then after a few minutes it does respond to the resume command
Engine, Oct 5, 2021
Currently own a 2020 Mazda CX 5 Touring, after coming from work I parked in my driveway and proceeded to turn off the car. When i was walking away i could hear the engine still Running. I went back and turned on the car and turned it back off, again i could still hear the engine still running. I went back and got inside and took the car for a 5 minute drive, then came back to my drive way and placed the car on park and then proceeded to turn off the car. I got out and went to the front of the vehicle to see if the engine was running, this time the engine did turn off.
Lane departure, Electrical system, Sep 24, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Mazda CX-5. The contact noticed that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the passenger blind spot monitoring light and sound failed to operate. The contact mentioned that the vehicle failed to let her know when a vehicle was nearby her. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they reset the monitor however, the failure recurred days later. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.
Structure, May 2, 2021
THE RED PAINT IS CHIPPING PRETTY BAD. THIS CAR IS ONLY ABOUT 1 YEAR OLD. THE CHIPPING IS MOSTLY ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Apr 2, 2021
MY 2020 MAZDA CX-5 SUNROOF GLASS SUDDENLY EXPLODED FOR NO KNOWN REASON AS I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH ON HIGHWAY 97 IN OREGON. THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AND IT JUST SUDDENLY BURST. ALL THE GLASS BROKE AND THERE WAS A HOLE WHERE IT BLEW OUT. IT WAS A SUNNY DAY. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 55 DEGREES.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Apr 1, 2021, crash
I WAS PARKED AT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT THAT HAD AN OUTDOOR KIOSK FOR PAYMENT. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO PAY AND GOT BACK IN. AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE OR TWO MY CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD, GOING OVER A SLOPED CURB AND DOWN A SHORT LOW GRADE HILL, HITTING A POLE. I WAS CONFUSED TO HOW THE CAR WOULD GO FORWARD BECAUSE I WAS IN PARK THE WHOLE TIME.
Air bags, Wheels, Mar 16, 2021
VEHICLE WAS ON A CITY STREET TRAVELING AT 35-40 MPH WHEN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL (YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR G91) SPONTANEOUSLY BLEW OUT DESPITE NOT COLLIDING WITH ANY OBJECTS OR ROAD HAZARDS. AS A RESULT, DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAGS ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SHUTOFF, CAUSING DISORIENTATION AND TEMPORARY LOSS OF HEARING IN ONE EAR.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Mar 7, 2021
I HAVE BEEN WARNED BY OTHER DRIVERS AT NIGHT THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS WERE OUT. MY CLOCK AND RADIO BOTH ARE MALFUNCTIONING. I JUST TOOK THE CAR FOR THE YEARLY INSPECTION AND THERE IS A MAJOR OIL LEAK FROM A GASKET. THE CAR ONLY HAS 16,000 MILES ON IT!
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 25, 2021
MASSIVE OIL LEAK NEAR THE ENGINE AND THE CYLINDER HEAD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS DEFECTIVE. THIS IS A 2020 VEHICLE. THE GASKET KIT AND THE ENGINE ARE ON BACKORDER SO MY CAR IS AT THE SHOP FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME ON THE ORDER OF POTENTIALLY SEVERAL MONTHS!
Visibility/wiper, Jan 2, 2021
WINDSHIELD GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED FROM BOTTOM WHERE DEFROSTING VENT IS LOCATED, ARCING UPWARD ACROSS DRIIVERS FIELD OF VIEW OCCUPYING 3/4 OF WINDSHIELD HEIGHT- DRIVEN TO WORK WITH NO PROBLEM AND CRACK WAS PRESENT AT END OF WORK SHIFT NO IMPACTS OCCURED NO OTHER DAMAGE -PARKED IN MONITORED HOSPITAL PARKING GARAGE
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 30, 2020
MPG IS NOT AS HIGH AS LISTED. WITH ONE PASSENGER, NO CARGO AVG CITY MPG 22. AVG HWY 26 COMBINED 24. 7 MONTHS OWNING CAR. TIRES INFLATED TO PROPER SETTING. MAINTAINED DONE AT REGULAR SCHEDULED INTERVALS.
Service brakes, Dec 8, 2020, crash
TRY TO PART WHEN I STEP ON THE. BREAK, DID NOT STOP KEEPING RIGHT ON GOING.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 9, 2020
MY 2020 MAZDA CX-5 WAS 2 DAYS OLD AND THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. I PICKED IT UP AND THEY DID NOTHING TO THE BATTERY. THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THEY REPLACED THE KEY FOB BATTERY. TWO MORE DAYS AFTER THAT I PARKED IT IN MY GARAGE AND PUSHED THE BUTTON TO TURN IT OFF. APPARENTLY IT DID NOT TURN OFF AND COME MORNING, I HAD SIGNIFICANT CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING AND WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR 4 NIGHTS. MY CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN AND THE ODD THING WAS THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AGAIN AND THERE WAS STILL GAS IN IT. MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALER REFUSES TO HELP ME AND I AM TRYING TO CONTACT MAZDA'S MAIN NUMBER.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 4, 2020
DASHBOARD LIGHTS HAVE GONE OFF THEN BACK ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY & LOCAL ROADS SEVERAL TIMES. ALSO CONCERNED AS TO WHAT ELSE THIS ISSUE AFFECTS & NOT SURE IF DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS ARE ON OR OFF AT THIS TIME OR OTHER ELECTRICAL ELEMENTS. NOT SURE THE CAUSE OF THIS POSSIBLE SHORT IN THE SYSTEM IN ADDITION TO A BATTERY REPLACEMENT (ORIG. BATTERY & THEN 2 OTHERS SINCE 7/4/20)
Electrical system, Nov 2, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF HER RESIDENCE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT CONTACTED AN INDEPENDENT MECHAINC WHO ARRIVED AT THE RESIDENCE AND JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAXON MAZDA (2329 RTE 22 W, UNION, NJ 07083) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES BETWEEN JULY 2020 AND OCT 2020. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,741.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Oct 28, 2020, crash
PURCHASED BRAND NEW 2020 MAZDA CX-5 ON SEPT 25, 2020. ON SEPT. 29, 2020 WITH < 500MI: WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON COUNTY ROAD, PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL DID NOT MOVE. SEVERAL MALFUNCTION LIGHTS FLASHED INCLUDING "POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION", "SMART CITY BRAKE SUPPORT MALFUNCTION". REPEATEDLY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT DID NOT MOVE AT ALL. TRIED TO SWERVE TO AVOID A VEHICLE BUT THE STEERING WAS UNRESPONSIVE. IMPACTED A VEHICLE AT A RED LIGHT. MAZDA SERVICE SAID THAT THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED BEFORE THE IMPACT EXCEPT FOR A "HARD BRAKE EVENT" WHICH BASED ON THE CDR DATA WAS PROBABLY THE IMPACT AVOIDANCE SYSTEM BRAKING THE VEHICLE. AS AN ENGINEER FAMILIAR WITH THIS TYPE OF SYSTEM BUT NOT THIS PARTICULAR SYSTEM SPECIFICALLY, I SUSPECTED A LOW VOLTAGE EVENT THAT KNOCKED OUT THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND POWER STEERING. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED FROM THE REPAIR SHOP TODAY OCT 28, 2020. HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER, AGAIN AN INDICATION OF LOW VOLTAGE OR FAULTY WIRING. I HAVE TAKEN VIDEO OF THE FLICKERING, I HAVE OBTAINED THE CDR REPORT MAZDA REFUSED TO PROVIDE ALTHOUGH I REQUESTED TO SEE IT, AND THE SERVICE REPORT INDICATING MASS AIRFLOW & VACUUM CODES, BOTH CAUSED BY LOW VOLTAGE EVENT.
Structure, Oct 28, 2020
THE AUTO LIFT GATE OPENS ON ITS OWN. WE JUST BOUGHT THIS IN JULY AND HAVE FOUND IT OPENED ON AT LEAST 4 OCCASIONS. ONCE OUTSIDE AND THE OTHER TIMES IN THE GARAGE. IT OPENED IN THE GARAGE AND DID NOT REALIZE IT WHEN I PUSHED THE GARAGE DOOR OPENER. IT WAS ABUTTED AGAINST THE DOOR AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE LIFT GATE. IT IS NOT THE FOB, BECAUSE WE TRIED IT INSIDE WITH THE DOOR SHUT AND THE LIFT GATE DOES NOT OPEN.