Mazda has been recently making some name with its latest generation of cars for being built in a way that it gives vehicles from a higher segment a run for its money, which stays true for its compact SUV the CX-5 as well. Even though the fit and finish looked and felt top-notch at the first glance, they did not remain in one piece in the long run, as suggested by the owners. From basic build quality issues to transmission troubles, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 was not all that immune to complaints. Though the recall status on this compact SUV is zero, the complaints still run in double digits, clocking in at 21 for just the 2021 model year. With the base prices starting at $25,370, is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 a trusty alternative to segment favorites like the Honda CR-V, the Hyundai Tucson, and the Subaru Forester, is a question this article will answer you for.
2021 Mazda CX-5 User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical Complaints
- Engine- Excessive engine oil consumption is one major complaint registered against the 2021 Mazda CX-5 by owners as per the NHTSA. Owners raise a concern about brand new cars flashing “Low engine oil level” warning after covering as low as 3,000-miles from the previous top-up. As of now, there have been no official statements released by the automaker on this issue. Owners also complained about the rough transition during cylinder deactivation which is said to cause vibration throughout the vehicle, which was mainly pointed out to a faulty engine management software, similar to the recall that took place back in 2018 and 2019.
- Transmission- The transmission on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 is said to throw a variety of complaints mostly linked to faulty TCS software or the module itself. The main fault is said to be the vehicle not responding to throttle inputs, jerking between great, and failing to engage in “park” mode. Even though most of these issues were deemed software glitches, owners still complain about the issue recurring even after the TCU firmware update.
Electrical System complaints
- Key Fob- Multiple owners have complained about the key fob on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 not working intermittently. Owners were forced to reset the system by following the procedure of pressing down the open and lock buttons simultaneously for 60 seconds, which in some cases did not work. The system is also said to show a “low key-fob battery” warning despite it being replaced.
Structural Complaints
- Interior- Even though Mazda boats about their built quality, owners of the 2021 Mazda CX-5 have complained about squeaks and rattles from several locations in the cabin. Door pads and the boot are two major rattle-prone areas as suggested by owners. One owner even complained about his brand new CX-5s center console rattling which was later fixed by the dealer on request.
- Paint Job- Owners have been complaining about excessive paint chipping on the 2021 Mazda CX-5, especially on the door edges, the lower part of the wheel arches, and bumpers. The average mileage when users started noticing this issue was about 5,000-miles. This issue, as stated, is specific to some batches of the CX-5 SUVs from 2021. Dealers are aware of these issues and are providing touch-ups free of charge.
- Windshield defroster- The windshield defrost is only said to work on the central part of the windshield. The center-mount blower is said to cover a small area of the windshield, impairing visibility on both sides of the glass during heavy snow and rainy days. Drivers are forced to manually wipe down the glass when this happens.
Safety Complaints
- Blind-Spot detection- A few owners have raised the concern of the blind-spot detection system on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 being faulty. The system is said to be inconsistent and is said to warn the driver when there is no approaching traffic and also do the vice-versa in certain situations. The issue was quick to be dismissed unsolved as the dealers could not find or replicate the issues which were pointed out by these owners.
Mazda CX-5 Recalls
The Mazda CX-5 is devoid of any recalls for the 2021 model year. Since the current generation of CX-5 SUVs commenced production back in 2016, Mazda has got enough time to resolve most of the problems these SUVs inherently had since their introduction. Even though this SUV has clocked 5 recalls since launch, the number has remained zero since the 2020 model year.
Should you buy a used Mazda CX-5?
If you are looking for a well-built compact SUV that is both good to drive and is decently reliable, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 is definitely one vehicle that you should check out. Even though it is not the most economical SUV in its company, it easily stands out with its striking design and top-notch initial build quality. Also, this SUV has been performing rather well when it comes to issues as it has zero recall for this year and only 21 officially recognized customer complaints, which is on par or below the best in its class. So, based on how we see it, buying a used 2021 Mazda CX-5 shouldn’t be a problem.
