2021 Mazda CX-5
Gas Compact SUV
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the CX-5 2WD, is EPA-rated at 28 mpg combined. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year so far (Safety Signal A). Owners have filed 143 complaints, most often about engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy (EPA)
| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-5 2WD | Gas | FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 25 | 31 | 28 | $2,250 |
| CX-5 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 24 | 30 | 26 | $2,400 |
| CX-5 2WD | Gas | FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 23 | 28 | 25 | $2,500 |
| CX-5 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 22 | 27 | 24 | $2,600 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.
Out of factory warranty soon?
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.
Compare coverage →Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Data on this page is never influenced by that.
Recalls (0)
No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for the 2021 Mazda CX-5. New campaigns appear here within a week of NHTSA posting them.
Owner complaints
143 complaints filed
9 involved a crash, 0 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.
Filed by year — 2021: 15 · 2022: 46 · 2023: 26 · 2024: 22 · 2025: 17 · 2026: 17
Most-cited components
- Engine — 77
- Unknown Or Other — 16
- Power Train — 16
- Forward Collision Avoidance — 16
- Electrical System — 12
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 17% |
| SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 17% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.
Other CX-5 model years
2026 CX-5
0 recalls · 14 complaints
A2025 CX-5
0 recalls · 27 complaints
A2024 CX-5
0 recalls · 43 complaints
A2023 CX-5
0 recalls · 62 complaints
A2022 CX-5
0 recalls · 63 complaints
A2020 CX-5
0 recalls · 106 complaints
B2019 CX-5
2 recalls · 269 complaints
C2018 CX-5
3 recalls · 348 complaints
A2017 CX-5
1 recalls · 148 complaints
D2016 CX-5
4 recalls · 510 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 43125, 43133, 43126, 43134). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.