2021 Mazda CX-5 reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2021 Mazda CX-5 — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 188
- 187 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- ENGINE
- 76 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 0
- none on record
- Reported harm
- 21 reported crashes · 20 injuries
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#2,710
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Mazda median
-8
median 196 across 81 Mazda records
Vs 2019-2023
-51
median 240 complaints in 444 records
Top component share
40%
Engine: 76 complaints
What owners report fails — 2021 Mazda CX-5
- ENGINE 76
- POWER TRAIN 16
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14
- SERVICE BRAKES 11
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2021 Mazda CX-5
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2021 Mazda CX-5 units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
NHTSA has 188 consumer complaints on record for the 2021 Mazda CX-5. The most-reported problem area is engine (76 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2021 Mazda CX-5 units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Mazda CX-5?
Owners most often report problems with: engine (76), power train (16), unknown or other (14), service brakes (11). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2021 Mazda CX-5?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.