2015–2026 · 12 model years · 15 recalls
No Mazda CX-5 year we rate stands out as one to avoid: every one scores at least 25 out of 100. The best years to buy are 2015, 2017 and 2022; the weakest is the 2018 (27/100).
None of the years we rate score below 25 out of 100, so there's no clear year to avoid. The lowest-scoring is the 2018 (27/100).
Well above average for its class. Expected repairs: $1,338 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $579 over 5 years. 4 recalls, 133 owner complaints.
Well above average for its class. Expected repairs: $1,495 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $702 over 5 years. 1 recall, 150 owner complaints.
Well above average for its class. Expected repairs: $1,601 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $830 over 5 years. 0 recalls, 65 owner complaints.
| Generation | Years | Average score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| KE | 2015–2016 | 80/100 | Well above average |
| KF | 2017–2024 | 64/100 | Above average |
| Model year | Reliability | Complaints | Recalls | Best mpg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 CX-5 | Not rated yet | 28 | 0 | 26 |
| 2025 CX-5 | Not rated yet | 61 | 0 | 25 |
| 2024 CX-5 | 77/100 · Above average | 47 | 0 | 28 |
| 2023 CX-5 | 77/100 · Above average | 67 | 0 | 26 |
| 2022 CX-5 | 86/100 · Well above average | 65 | 0 | 26 |
| 2021 CX-5 | 36/100 · Below average | 148 | 0 | 28 |
| 2020 CX-5 | 85/100 · Well above average | 108 | 0 | 28 |
| 2019 CX-5 | 30/100 · Below average | 273 | 2 | 29 |
| 2018 CX-5 | 27/100 · Below average | 353 | 3 | 29 |
| 2017 CX-5 | 91/100 · Well above average | 150 | 1 | 27 |
| 2016 CX-5 | 66/100 · Above average | 512 | 5 | 29 |
| 2015 CX-5 | 95/100 · Well above average | 133 | 4 | 29 |
Reliability compares each year with similar cars from 2015 to 2024, using owner complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold. Complaint counts on their own aren't a score: popular cars get more of them.
No Mazda CX-5 year we rate stands out as one to avoid: every one scores at least 25 out of 100. The best years to buy are 2015, 2017 and 2022; the weakest is the 2018 (27/100).
The 2015 scores best for reliability (95/100) of the years we rate.
The 2016, with 5 recalls on record with NHTSA.