Worse than most CX-5 years
Owners filed about 1.9 times as many complaints as a typical CX-5 year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 64,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2015 and 2020.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other CX-5 years from 2013 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 377 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Mazda CX-5. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (132, 35% of complaints), followed by the lights, wipers and visibility and the transmission and drivetrain. That ranks 2nd of 12 CX-5 years from 2013 to 2024 for complaints. It has 4 recalls.
5 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2014 Mazda CX-5 before you buy.
Electrical system
132 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 64,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
The car's electrical system doesn't fully turn off after being put in park and turning the ignition off. The electrical system stays on, despite the engine and ignition turned off. It's a BIG problem that I've seen a lot of other people report. And yet Mazda refuses to address the issue.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 86,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 190,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
88 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 11,000 miles. Parts named most: Windshield (18).
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 mazda cx-5. The contact stated that the windshield was fractured on the passenger’s side. The fracture started at the base of the windshield and expanded to 3 inches past the center of the windshield. The fracture stopped 10 inches above the windshield. The driver’s side was also fractured 6 inches to the left…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 70,000 miles
Plastic molding at bottom of windshield came loose. And for sometime o explained to dealership I heard what sounded like glass shifting and felt that the glass was going to shatter. This morning I noticed windshield cracked on outside from top middle past review mirror. Vehicle was parked in driveway and when I walked to my car I noticed…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Transmission and drivetrain
50 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
After pushing the button to turn my car off, the engine turns off but none of the electronics does. I have to turn my car on and off numerous times to get the navigation/radio screen to turn off, I'm a single woman and I don't want to come back to my car to find a dead battery late at night with no one around. I was advised that Mazda…Owner complaint, filed 2021
For the last couple of months every time I place my car in park and press the PUSH START/OFF BUTTON- the car does not completely shut off. So I start the car again, move the gear shift out of park all the way back into drive and back into park again in hopes when I push off button it will cut off. It is a gamble. Now I am having to cut…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Engine and cooling
39 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 52,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the heater core. The contact was informed that the heater core needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 120,000 miles
Vehicle was at highway speed when the warning light for high engine coolant temperature came on with a warning message to stop the vehicle in a safe place. The engine stopped and I was almost hit by a semi-truck as I was struggling to move over a lane to stop on the side of the highway. Vehicle was towed to the auto shop and diagnosed…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Brakes and stability control
35 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
Was driving with family on highway when car started to feel wobbly and I began smelling the distinct smell of burning brakes. I pulled over at the closes store (.5 miles) . I then noticed the rear, passenger caliper was smoking. I later found out (after a few hundred dollars and hours of labor) this is a known issue with the rear…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 mazda cx-5. The contact stated that the brakes made a squealing noise and failed numerous times. The vehicle was taken to ferra auto group mazda (3363 south arlington road, akron, oh 44312, (330) 645-7275) where it was determined that the brake pads were wearing unevenly. The dealer further stated that the brakes…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 27,000 miles
Body, doors and structure
35 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 15,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (29).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The sunroof glass shattered suddenly while I was driving on the highway. I was going 70-75 MPH at the time. There were no other cars around and the weather was perfect so I do not think anything hit the sunroof. I had both the sunroof and interior cover closed completely at the time. The sound when it shattered was very loud and…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 mazda cx-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v644000 (latches/locks/linkages); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the [VIN] exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The [VIN] was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not…Owner complaint, filed 2017
Cruise control and acceleration
9 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 27,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
Takata recall: there is a problem with acceleration and the car not turning completely off once the push start/stop button is pressed. During acceleration the gears seem like they get stuck and the car does not accelerate properly and to turn the car off completely I will usually have to turn the engine back on completely, shift in…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 89,000 miles
Mazda cx 5 AWD atm. I stopped my mazda cx 5 on the stop light and put the gear neutral. When I switched the gear to drive, it didn't upshifted but stayed on the same gear. It couldn't make more than 30 MPH with rmp shooting up very high. I pulled it over, stopped the engine , restarted the engine and the problem was gone.Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 22,000 miles
Air bags
8 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was driving down the road and my right side curtain airbag deployed. I did let my insurance company know but was told that they couldn’t do anything for me since it was not an accident. I called the local Mazda dealership and they told me that they could inspect the vehicle but it would not be on them. That it could have been a rat…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The airbag warning light has come on. My mechanic and open road mazda said the sad control module is bad. Dashboard light goes off when it's very hot out. If I drive through a puddle. I was informed that the module is behaving exactly like the recalled modules on the VIN numbers both before and after my VIN. I believe the module in my…Owner complaint, filed 2020
Fuel system
7 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Strong gasoline odor outside the vehicle. I verified that the gas cap is locked after filling up. I see no dash board warning lights that would suggest that there is a problem with the fuel cap or fuel system. The odor is still there even after running the tank down considerably. The smell is mostly detected on the driver side of the…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Approximately april 2014, I began to notice a gas odor in the cab of my 2014 mazda cx-5 touring. The odor was stronger when I exited the vehicle and stronger still at the rear of the vehicle. It continued sporadically and began to grow in intensity over time. I then began to notice that my gas mileage indicator would drop the miles left…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 19,000 miles
Steering
7 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 99,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at a slow speed and attempting to parallel park, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine before the steering wheel seized. No warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband exited the vehicle to inspect the vehicle, and another…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 135,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving over a speed bump the front-end of the vehicle collapsed to the ground. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the front strut assembly was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 146,000 miles
Seats and seat belts
6 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The driver's seat automatic front-to-back adjustment became abruptly non-functional on the left side, making it impossible to adjust the seat to achieve a safe driving position. This was noted while the car was parked. No accident had occurred and no debris was noted in the track. The dealer (nelson mazda cool springs) noted that the…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 63,000 miles
Latch on the driver-side, rear folding seat won't engage. I folded the seat-back forward to create more cargo room. Afterward, when I folded it upright the latch that is supposed to lock it in an upright position would not engage. I tried many times to have it latch and lock, but it would not do so and it just flopped forward. I went…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 45,000 miles
Suspension
5 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
front passenger side CV Axle/Boot, control arm, tie rod end fell apart causing tire to dislocate from vehicle. Vehicle has been properly maintained. It is at Mazda dealer service dept. It can be inspected there. If this fell apart on freeway it could have caused a major accident and loss of life. Dealer has not confirmed problem yet…Owner complaint, filed 2021
While driving on an urban road and going over a slight bump, heard a clunk in the left rear wheel well. Pulled over and off road to investigate the situation. Was unable to see any particular cause in the rear suspension. However a small piece of corroded aluminum fell onto the ground from up inside the wheel well. The vehicle was taken…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Wheels and tires
3 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
While driving on i95 north at approx. 55-60mph and between forest hill and southern blvd, the vehicle hit a piece of wood or metal that was on the road. The front wheel crack in half. Concern with structural integrity of these wheel.Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 42,400 miles
Lower ball joints, lower control arms, and axles failed on the front right and front left of the vehicle while driving. The wheels were partially disconnected with no ability to steer or drive my vehicle. Both failures happened within 2 1/2 months. After the right side failed, the auto mechanic checked the left side yet it failed…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Mazda CX-5 complaints by year
Compare the 2014 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2014 compact SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Mazda CX-5 | Worse than most years | 4 |
| 2014 Toyota RAV4 | One of the better years | 4 |
| 2014 Honda CR-V | About average | 1 |
| 2014 Subaru Forester | About average | 2 |
2014 Mazda CX-5 recalls
Body and structure Hatchback / liftgate
- Risk
- If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
- Fix
- Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available.
Full recall summary
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
Steering
- Risk
- If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle.
Full recall summary
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.
Fuel system Filler pipe and cap
- Risk
- A rupture of the fuel filler pipe may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will alter the attachment between the fuel filler pipe and the left rear side of the bracket of the fuel filler pipe, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5 vehicles manufactured June 27, 2013, to February 2, 2016. The affected vehicles have a fuel filler pipe that may rupture in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Windows, mirrors and wipers Windshield
- Risk
- If the bracket loosens or detaches from the windshield, the safety features of the Smart City Brake Support system may be disabled and therefore increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Pilkington will contact the wholesalers and retailers that purchased the windshields to try to identify the affected customers.
Full recall summary
Pilkington North America, Inc. (Pilkington) is recalling certain replacement windshields, model FW04026 GTY, manufactured November 23, 2015, to December 16, 2015 for use in Mazda CX-5 vehicles that are equipped with the Smart City Brake Support system. The affected windshields have a bracket mounted on the inside to hold a laser sensor or LIDAR device for the Smart City Brake Support system. These brackets were improperly affixed with only tape instead of tape and urethane and therefore may loosen.
2014 Mazda CX-5 questions
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Mazda CX-5?
The most reported problem areas on the 2014 Mazda CX-5 are the electrical system (132 complaints), the lights, wipers and visibility (88 complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (50 complaints).
Is the 2014 Mazda CX-5 a good year to buy?
Worse than most CX-5 years. Owners filed about 1.9 times as many complaints as a typical CX-5 year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 64,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2015 and 2020. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other CX-5 years from 2013 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2014 Mazda CX-5 have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2014 Mazda CX-5. The most recent, from Sep 2016, covers the hatchback / liftgate. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2014 Mazda CX-5 problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 64,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the lights, wipers and visibility gave a mileage of about 11,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Mazda CX-5 years should I avoid?
The CX-5 years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2016. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2015 and 2020. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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