Mazda CX-5 electrical problems, 2016–2026
257 of the 1,743 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mazda CX-5 2016–2026 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2016 (71), 2019 (46), 2017 (44). Filed under the same heading across these years: 14 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Mazda CX-5 electrical problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the electrical system | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 36% | — | 49 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 5 | 19% | — | 50 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | 76 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 9 | 14% | — | 119 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 6 | 10% | — | 161 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 12 | 8% | — | 198 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 30 | 28% | — | 131 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 46 | 17% | — | 141 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 29 | 8% | — | 168 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 | 44 | 30% | — | 192 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 71 | 14% | 35k | 182 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.
When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2015: 5 · 2016: 3 · 2017: 8 · 2018: 14 · 2019: 15 · 2020: 13 · 2021: 23 · 2022: 25 · 2023: 36 · 2024: 40 · 2025: 45 · 2026: 30
Across the model years, half of the 65 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 3,000 and 40,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The automatic locking does not always work. I agree with complaints 1090985 and 10885776 in that it seems to be fine 90% of the time, which lulls you into a false sense of security. Now, I make sure that he lights flash as I walk away.
Infotainment system reboots numerous times after engine is started and continues while the vehicle is in gear. During reboot cycle, radio, navigation, and other functions of the infotainment system are unavailable. System may reboot anywhere between 1 and 10 times before the system stabilizes.
The Infotainment System has consistent "ghost touching". Not only is this a distraction while trying to drive it is changing the safety settings and display settings available in within the system such as ADAS settings and MPH\KMH speedometer options.
the infotainment system is acting up and making its own selections, if im sitting parked and my call history is up it will sometimes click a random number and start calling that number. It will scroll and make random selections on screen
The Mazda connect touch screen in the center display doesn't always accept touch commands properly and regularly operates by itself (ghost touch) while in drive
What is on file about the electrical system, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 17V744000 ModerateNov 21, 2017 · 1,076 vehicles
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2017 CX-5 vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness. This harness may be routed such that there is insufficient clearance between the harness and the exhaust muffler, allowing the wiring harness to contact the muffler.
14 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 10, 2026
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued service alert listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-038/26 08/18/26 and 06/15/26 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about any of the following: 1. Infotainment Center Display does not provide the Authorization Code (OTP) during the MyMazda App
- Sep 4, 2026
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-015/26 05/27/26, 04/20/26, 04/09/26, 03/25/26 and 03/13/26 DESCRIPTION Index Intermittent Globe with a slash icon • Beep sound near the SOS button and SOS button amber or red LED • Instrument Cluster Master Warning Light illuminated • The center display screen is blank • No data plan message
- Sep 4, 2026
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued service alert listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-038/26 06/15/26 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about any of the following: 1. Infotainment Center Display does not provide the Authorization Code (OTP) during the MyMazda App Connected Vehicle enrollment. 2. Remote functions inoperative. Engine Start / Stop Door Lock / U
- Aug 22, 2026
- Subject: Announcement of Special Service Program (SSPE2) Ethernet Communication – Over The Air (OTA) Update Concerns and Manufacturer Service Program (MSP67 ) – Battery Depletion - 2026MY CX-5 vehicles URGENT - STOP DELIVERY OF AFFECTED VEHICLES: MAZDA SALES AND SERVICE TEAMS - ACTION ITEM: Between both campaigns there are approximately 27,565 vehicles (for both campaigns) in stock at U.S. Mazda d
- Aug 20, 2026
- Use this procedure if Body Control Module (BCM) failure occurs due to the laptop rebooting or crashing during a BCM software update with MDARS II.
- Aug 20, 2026
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued Service Alerts listed below: The changes are noted in Red. Infotainment Reboot With Navigation Card Installed This Service Information is no longer valid. Refer to the following updated Technical Service Bulletins: CX-5 / CX-9: 16-002/23 - UPDATED SOFTWARE RELEASE FOR CONCERNS WITH MAZDA CONNECT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM (7TH GEN TYPE) Mazda3 / CX-30
- Aug 19, 2026
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-039/26 06/15/26 Mazda Connect Symptom Troubleshooting DESCRIPTION Customers having MAZDA CONNECT concerns should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.
- Aug 19, 2026
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-006/23 01/23/23 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about the infotainment system and/or the MyMazda App showing incorrect clock and/or tire pressures and/or tire pressure missing. This may be caused by: Incorrect calendar entry (month/day/year) after a battery disconnect Infot
The 8 newest are listed; each model year’s page lists every one filed on that year. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Mazda CX-5
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Mazda CX-5 problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Mazda CX-5 years have the most electrical complaints?
2016, 71; 2019, 46; 2017, 44. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2026 (36%).
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the Mazda CX-5?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 17V744000 (2017). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do electrical problems show up on the Mazda CX-5?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 10,300 miles across the model years; half of them between 3,000 and 40,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.