Mazda · CX-5 · 2021
2021 Mazda CX-5
0
Recalls
132
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 has no recalls and 132 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (55 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 55 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2021 Mazda CX-5 currently shows no active NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 132 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (55), unknown or other (8), power train,engine (7).
- Vehicle
- 2021 Mazda CX-5
- Recalls
- 0
- Complaints
- 132
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
17.4% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: Standard
Owner Complaints
132 totalENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Mar 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Brakes activated unintendedly, and the vehicle jerked to the left and independently accelerated and moved back in the lane intend...
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ENGINE
Mar 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was advised by the dealer to continue addi...
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AIR BAGS,LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION
Dec 27, 2025
I was entering a traffic circle when i slid slightly as there was some ice on the roadway and came to rest against a curb, bumped lightly. There was no damage to the vehicle, but the entire driver side curtain airbags as well as the driver seat airbag deployed. The speed at which...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Nov 19, 2025
LOW ENGINE OIL LEVEL light on about 1000 miles from last oil changed. Dealer fixed the Mazda recall code: P250F on July 30, 2025. Now is same issue of LOW ENGINE OIL LEVEL light on again on November 19, 2025.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Nov 16, 2025
Radio audio randomly stopped working and you have to disconnect the negative or you have to leave the car off essentially all night. It’s definitely unknown issue there’s videos all over YouTube about it and there’s forms on read about it.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Nov 11, 2025
Important note for snowing conditions: The radar for adaptive cruise control is located in the front Mazda emblem. Snow buildup on the emblem can block the radar's signal and disable the adaptive cruise control system when driving. A heating element is necessary to prevent snow ...
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BACK OVER PREVENTION
Nov 11, 2025
My Mazda 2021 infotainment screen goes goes out usually when hit a bump and stays out until it sits awhile. Which when this happens there is no backup camera which is a safety issue. The Mazda dealership said it was the screen which they wanted $2900 just for the screen so I got...
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TIRES
Nov 4, 2025
We took our car to the Mazda dealership for routine maintenance. The technician found circumferential cracking along the sidewall/tread junction of all 4 tires. We were told that this suggests tread separation and that we should not continue to drive on the tires. We replaced all...
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VISIBILITY
Oct 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rear back glass fractured without impact. The contact stated that the vehicle had just been parked for several minutes prior to the failure when the contact returned from a doctor's appo...
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STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Oct 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the Front Brake System Malfunction, Forward Brake Malfunction, and Check Engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started jerking and hesitating as if t...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 132 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2021 Mazda models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Mazda CX-5 Years
2022 Mazda CX-5Compare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.56c2020 Mazda CX-5Compare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.102c2023 Mazda CX-5Compare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.53c2019 Mazda CX-5Compare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.2r244c2024 Mazda CX-5Compare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.34c2018 Mazda CX-5Compare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.3r326c
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Mazda CX-5 have?
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2021 Mazda CX-5?
NHTSA has received 132 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Mazda CX-5.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Mazda CX-5?
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Mazda CX-5?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2021 Mazda CX-5 are engine (55 reports), unknown or other (8 reports), power train,engine (7 reports).
Does the 2021 Mazda CX-5 have any recalls?
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2021 Mazda CX-5. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.